Both were covered by a redesigned shaker hood.īut what really cemented the Trans Am as the car of the 1970s was the box office hit Smokey and the Bandit. Engine updates included the 185-horsepower Oldsmobile 6.6-liter 403-cubic-inch V8, or the 200-horsepower Pontiac 400 V8. The new Batmobile-style front end with square headlamps amplified the Trans Am’s look and set it apart from the Chevy Camaro. The crescendo happened four years later, when Pontiac released the ’77 Trans Am Special Edition, the black machine emblazoned with the gold bird that became an auto icon. But radical changes in 1973 including adding the decorative “screaming chicken” and the high-powered 455 Super Duty engine-despite government safety and emissions regulations-sparked new life into the pony car. Low sales led to talk of canceling production. Still, sales crawled along only 697 Trans Ams were sold during this first model year. And with a dual intake scooped hood, deck spoiler, fender vents, and new paint scheme, the Trans Am had flair to match performance. The ’69 Trans Am received a lower suspension, large anti-sway bars, larger tires, and more horsepower with an optional Ram Air III or Ram Air IV 400 V8 engine. Pontiac issued a complete redesign and gave the car a name to match: the Firebird Trans Am. The first came in 1969 with a new Firebird model inspired by the pony car racing series, the SCCA Trans-Am Series. With pony car madness only growing in the ‘60s and ‘70s, Pontiac would get a few more chances to get the Firebird right. Pontiac V8s were of the old-school, overhead valve design, and when compared to the Chevy small-block V8 that powered the Camaro, they offered poor torque and a reluctance to rev. Pontiac built its own engines for the Firebird-they weren’t shared with the Camaro-and most Pontiac buyers opted for V8 power. The split front grille and beaked hood helped to set the Firebird apart, but the defining characteristic was under the hood. In its haste to meet market demand, GM gave Pontiac the same F-Body platform and most of the sheetmetal used for the Camaro. General Motors released both the Chevrolet Camaro and the Pontiac Firebird for the 1967 production year.īut while the Camaro zipped out of the gate, the Firebird got off to a slower start. In an attempt to match the obsession with this new category, the four major American auto manufacturers scrambled to produce as many pony cars as would compete. It was the first pony car-affordable, lightweight, powerful, and stylish to boot. Ford rocked the auto industry when it introduced the Mustang at the 1964 New York World’s Fair. To understand the ’77 Trans Am, we have to start with the pony car craze. In fact, it took about 10 years-and a few stall outs- to become the cult classic we recognize today. A casual Internet search will give you more than 30 songs that reference the Pontiac.īut the car wasn’t always a standard in every gearhead’s fantasy garage. Packaging Dimensions: Length:59.5cm Height:43cm Width:15.5cm All measurements are approximates to the nearest 0.The Trans Am is practically rock ’n roll on wheels. Model making should always be done under adult supervision. Safety Information: Suitable for ages 13+. Paints, Adhesive and Paintbrushes are NOT Included.
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