Pontiac

The Pontiac, manufactured by Genco Manufacturing Company in January 1934 and designed by Harvey Heiss, is a pure mechanical (PM) pinball game from pinball's early years, before electrical components became standard.

What makes the Pontiac notable is its gameplay mechanics. Players could enjoy 10 balls for just one cent, a remarkable value at the time. The machine boasts six chrome "snapping traps" that automatically close when a ball lands in each, then reopen once the score is recorded on the totalizer. This feature not only added an extra layer of challenge but also provided a tangible mechanism to track scores and payoffs. The totalizer's ability to record winning scores and payoffs without dispute was touted in advertising as a major advantage for operators and location owners at collection time.

The Pontiac's design and art are characteristic of its era, with clean lines and minimal ornamentation. Later "Improved" and "Senior" versions adjusted the cabinet dimensions and increased the center hole's point value, and the totalizer artwork went through several variations featuring Indian-head and wingspread motifs. As one of the earliest Genco machines, the Pontiac remains an intriguing piece for collectors and historians to study.