SEMA 2009: Lingenfelter T/A Concept a throwback to the 455 Super Duty
Lingenfelter T/A Concept - Click above for high-res image gallery
We can't come to a consensus about the Lingenfelter T/A Concept. Half of us are bathing in the warm glow of the '70s when the Trans-Am was the car to have, while the rest of us see a mix-and-mash of different cars of different generations and an overall design disconnect. Either way, the car is an attention-grabber at the Nitto tire booth.
The transformation from 2010 Camaro to Trans-Am began with an all-new front fascia and custom headlights, grille and turn signals. The front fenders were modified to include functional heat extractors, and the rear of the car has been extended four inches. Completing the look is a new hood with a shaker hood scoop and blue striping.
The Lingenfelter T/A isn't just about looks though. Underneath the hood is genuine 455ci V8 with CNC ported and polished LS7 heads good for 655 horsepower and 610 lb-ft torque. More details can be found in the press release after the jump, and our live photos plus new official ones are in the high-res gallery below.
Gallery: SEMA 2009: Lingenfelter T/A Concept
Photos Copyright ©2009 Drew Phillips / Weblogs, Inc.
PRESS RELEASE:
DECATUR, Ind. - Creating vehicles with astounding performance capabilities and "stop-in-your-tracks" curb appeal is nothing new for Lingenfelter Performance Engineering (LPE), and they've done it once again with their newest concept car the Lingenfelter T/A.
Readied for its debut in the Nitto Tire booth #46115 at the 2009 Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) Show at the Las Vegas Convention Center, Las Vegas, the Lingenfelter T/A utilizes "all the styling and muscle from the past combined with the technology and elegance of today," according to Ken Lingenfelter, owner of Lingenfelter Performance Engineering.
The vehicle, a modified 2010 Camaro with exhaustive engine and performance refinements as well as custom-molded body styling, harkens to the muscle-heavy '70s cars so beloved by enthusiasts.
"Lingenfelter Performance Engineering designed and built this vehicle with one goal in mind - to celebrate, in a most pronounced manner, America's muscle-car heritage," said Lingenfelter. "Just one look at its spirited design is all it takes to realize Lingenfelter knows power. And a turn of the key confirms that fact as all 650 horses start running."
First and foremost is the Lingenfelter T/A's power plant - a custom Racing Head Service (RHS) aluminum engine block with an impressive 455 cubic inch displacement. It features 4.155" bore Diamond 11.5:1 compression ratio pistons and a 4.200" stroke Lunati forged crankshaft. Lingenfelter Performance Engineering-brand CNC ported and polished LS7 heads and an LSX FAST 102 intake finish off the engine, which produces 655 hp and 610 ft.-lbs. of torque.
To assist the Lingenfelter T/A in handling that raw power, the car also features a Lingenfelter 6-bolt LS9 twin disk flywheel and clutch assembly and heavy-duty Driveshaft Shop halfshafts.
Body enhancements to the Lingenfelter Performance Engineering concept vehicle include a dramatic new hood with a shaker scoop and blue keyed stripe. A new front fascia borrows from the vehicle's inspired muscle car heritage, and incorporates custom head lamps, grille and turn signals for authentic detailing. The car's fender has a functional side extractor scoop and the rear quarter has a leading edge wheel flair. Dramatic details in the back again point to the vehicle's 1970s roots. Rear corners of the car have been extended nearly 4-inch with a wrapped down stand-up spoiler. Custom-created taillight housings nicely complement the package.
Wheels are custom designed 20-inch Honeycomb's with bright brushed aluminum details and are shorn with Nitto Tires in size 275/40ZR20 fronts and 315/35ZR20 rears.
A custom-designed CORSA Performance stainless steel exhaust provides even more torque for the Lingenfelter T/A concept vehicle, which is finished in an icy, bright white with an electric blue stripe running from front to rear.
Finally, to complete the muscle car experience, bright blue woven vinyl seat inserts and metal turned instrument panel accents highlight the interior. And Lingenfelter badges, indicating the vehicle's authenticity as a certified Lingenfelter creation, adorn the exterior.
For more than 30 years, Lingenfelter Performance Engineering has created a matchless heritage of bringing astounding new capabilities to the world's most sought-after sports cars. This legendary record of precision engineering continues today, as the highly skilled Lingenfelter production team continues to target design excellence in engine packages, superchargers and high-performance aftermarket components that refine power, speed and control. For more information, visit www.lingenfelter.com, contact Lingenfelter Performance Engineering at 1557 Winchester Road, Decatur, IN 46733, or call 260.724.2552.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Mike 2:43PM (11/03/2009)
How much bondo do you guys think they used on that body work? ;)
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vikingracer 2:46PM (11/03/2009)
I think the Lingenfelter T/A captures the spirit a little better then the T/A Depot version. As the owner of a 79 T/A I like seeing that several people are making an effort to keep pontiac alive, even if it is just a little bit.
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katshot 2:47PM (11/03/2009)
Reminds me of the VW kits cars. Has a few of the styling ques of a cool car but that's about it. BIG miss IMO.
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Jay Evans 3:23PM (11/03/2009)
It reminds me of a "Hot Wheels" car
Bobmarley 4:26PM (11/03/2009)
@ Jay Evans
reminds me of the knockoff hotweels cars with the cheap flaky paint, abnormal body accents, and plastic wheels that would always smash up into the wheel well...lol
Jeff H. 2:47PM (11/03/2009)
That is a very good looking car! I would love to have one myself. I am an avid fan of the Trans Am & Z28.
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Jim 2:47PM (11/03/2009)
I like it overall, but I'm not feelin' the tail lights.
and the fender vents don't look like they belong; they look as though they were just transplanted over from a '70s T/A.
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Willute 2:50PM (11/03/2009)
I like it, would've liked it more if they had remembered there was an earlier Trans Am that was made parallel to the 69 Camaro. The quad headlights of that series Firebird would fit this better.
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montoym 3:26PM (11/03/2009)
Agreed.
You don't see many of the early Firebirds though, but I think if they went after a look similar to the one used in the 2nd Matrix film, they might be on to something.
Granted, the look wouldn't change a great deal from how the Camaro looks, but it would at least fit the design better. I'm just not feeling this one all that much.
Here's the Matrix one:
http://www.autoinfection.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/06/matrix-pontiac-firebird-1.jpg
WTFBBQ 2:51PM (11/03/2009)
Anything with a 455cid LS7 is cool.
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naggs 3:52PM (11/03/2009)
that is the real story here
i wonder if that would fit in a vette?
MemphisNET 2:54PM (11/03/2009)
I get the design; I can even appreciate it.
But it just feels so forced. The look is there and not there all at the same time.
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skablaw 2:59PM (11/03/2009)
Chiseled from a solid block of badass.
Except the wheels, which are a) unattractive of their own accord, and b) completely inappropriate on a retro throw-back design. I don't care if everyone else is doing it - this thing needs some Torq-Thrust wheels and all will be well with my universe.
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letstakeawalk 3:39PM (11/03/2009)
The honeycomb wheels are a vital accessory for this kind of car.
http://www.pontiacserver.com/wheels.html
http://gmsportssalvage.com/files/images/IMG_1529.preview.jpg
Dave 6:20PM (11/03/2009)
I liked the Honeycombs on my 77 but these wheels don't look right.
Of course, I don't think it looks right without the screaming chicken anyway.
Dave 6:22PM (11/03/2009)
(actually, I guess mine were "snowflake" wheels if letstakeawalk's link is to correct)
andre lavoie 3:02PM (11/03/2009)
Officially awsome!
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Senseiwalex 3:16PM (11/03/2009)
pretty cool stuff...but I can't explain why it looks like a giant hotwheel car to me hmm =-/
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Mayoman 3:46PM (11/03/2009)
I see it too.
It's a mixture of the wheels and the front grill openings,
DCragtop 3:27PM (11/03/2009)
WoW, for the first time in history, the Firebird/TA looks worse than a/the Camaro. Lets hope this particular try is a one-off and stays in IN.
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