As the title states, I would like to know why the Canadian Pontiacs had chevy engines.

This has me baffled because the other companies under the GM umbrella such as Buick, Olds and Cadillac all had engines from their respective brands, but the Pontiacs did not.

I have been helping a friend build a '68 Firebird 400 (American Car) and I have come to appreciate the Pontiac 400 engine. 

I can find lots of info online telling me that Canadian Pontiacs came with Chevy engines, but none of them state why.

If anyone has answers please fill me in.

 

Thanks.

There have been a few articles  written and most seam to state mainly due to Canada's Trade laws at the time. It wasn't just the engine it was a full Chevrolet chassis with Pontiac Bodies on the early cars. But I'm sure if you check over on the Canadian Pontiac site someone more knowing has and/or can shed more light.

http://www.canadianponcho.activeboard.com/

Edited May 20, 20179 yr by SPRINT 6

I think this article does a pretty good job explaining things too.

 

https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/canadian-pontiacs-whats-up.295375/