Pontiac’s mission statement for the G8 was clear. “G8’s powerful engines ... Magnetic Gray Metallic, Panther Black Metallic, Liquid Red, Stealth Blue Metallic, and Ignition Orange Metallic.

In its more than 80 years of existence, the Detroit-based automaker built some popular, coveted cars with pace and power, and the likes of the Pontiac G8 GT are a particularly striking reminder of ...