Few Pontiac models will be missed by as many people as the Trans Am. From its humble origins in 1969 as an option package on the two-year-old Firebird platform through the Super Duty days and the Bandit Special Editions, right on up to the final Ram Air LS1-powered F-Bodies from 2002, Pontiac's longest-lived muscle car has always enjoyed a loyal following.
So dedicated are these Poncho fanatics that the Trans Am name seems destined to live on past the death of the brand that originally spawned it. We've taken a look at Kevin Morgan's Phoenix TA revival once already, and now the first such Camaro-based machine has been driven off the car carrier in front of a few hundred screaming chickens fans at last weekend's 25th Anniversary Trans Am Nationals in Dayton, Ohio.
Perhaps fittingly, this initial 'bird was painted up in a classic black and gold paint scheme complete with a fire-breathing hood applique and a split front beak reminiscent of the 1977 and 1978 Trans Ams. Naturally, there's a shaker scoop mounted atop the quivering hood feeding fresh air into what we assume is a stock LS3 6.2-liter V8 putting out 426 horsepower. The only things that are missing are T-Tops and a CB radio. Well, that, and a young Sally Field.
The front looks better than the Camaro. The rear needs a different spoiler and tail lights. I love my 02 WS6, but if GM hadn't axed Pontiacs I would have added its new Trans Am to my two beauties.
I almost drove out to Dayton for the TA Nationals, but ended up not doing it since my Trans Am is having some Vapor Lock issues. If I would have known this was going to be there, I would have definitely made the drive. I would have liked to seen it in person.
Was there any changes to the interior, to give it a pontiac look, or did they just keep the Camaro cluster, etc.?
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2001 Corvette Convertible
1987 Corvette Convertible SOLD
1991 Trans Am Convertible
1999 Grand Prix GTP
2008 Pontiac G8 GT
The front looks better than the Camaro. The rear needs a different spoiler and tail lights. I love my 02 WS6, but if GM hadn't axed Pontiacs I would have added its new Trans Am to my two beauties.
Joel
GM was not going to bring the Firebird back anyways. They announced that long before they axed Pontiac.
I thought I was about to add a third turnkey bird to the nest until I saw the back end. Ditch that stupid spoiler, the taillight ricer inserts and the rear muffler spitter thing and redesign them. I will have to pass for now. Maybe there is a 73 SD TA in my future.
Corvette Store
Reborn Trans Am makes Firebreathing entrance
