Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com Autoblog http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2009 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[SEMA Preview: Lingenfelter to show off Camaro-based Pontiac Trans Am]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/27/sema-preview-lingenfelter-to-show-off-camaro-based-pontiac-tran/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/27/sema-preview-lingenfelter-to-show-off-camaro-based-pontiac-tran/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/27/sema-preview-lingenfelter-to-show-off-camaro-based-pontiac-tran/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

2010 Lingenfelter Camaro LTA - Click above for high-res image gallery

Apparently, there are more Trans Am-obsessed Pontiac aficionados in the world than we initially suspected. While we have a major soft spot in our hearts for the old Poncho F-Bodies, we'd never actually go to the trouble of converting a perfectly good 2010 Camaro into something featuring T-tops and emblazoned with tons of Screaming Chickens. Some, though, seem to feel a life without the Trans Am is no kind of life at all.

First, there was the so-called Phoenix conversion from Kevin Morgan. Now, well-known tuning firm Lingenfelter Performance Engineering is entering the fray with its 2010 Camaro LTA, which resurrects another of Pontiac's most famous muscular lumps: the 455 cubic inch V8. In this case, the mill isn't really a Pontiac engine at all - the 655-horsepower engine is based on an aluminum GM LS-series block that's bored and stroked to equal the desired 455 cubes and capped with ported and polished LS7 heads.

Styling obviously takes its inspiration from the 1971 and 1972 TA, complete with the white and blue paint scheme and prominent twin-grille beak (Endura bumper not included). Naturally, front fender vents join a ducktail spoiler at the rear and 20-inch honeycomb wheels complete the visual package. So far, there's no word on pricing, but we wouldn't expect it to come cheap. Stay tuned for an official debut at the upcoming SEMA Show in Las Vegas.


Gallery: 2010 Lingenfelter Camaro LTA


[Source: Camaro5.com]

SEMA Preview: Lingenfelter to show off Camaro-based Pontiac Trans Am originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 27 Oct 2009 16:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2010 pontiac trans am2010 trans am2010PontiacTransAm2010TransAmlingenfelterLingenfelter Camaro Body KitLingenfelter Performance Engineeringlingenfelter pontiaclingenfelter trans amLingenfelterCamaroBodyKitLingenfelterPerformanceEngineeringLingenfelterPontiacLingenfelterTransAmpontiacpontiac trans amPontiacTransAmSEMAsema 2009SEMA Showsema show 2009Sema2009SemaShowSemaShow2009transformersTue, 27 Oct 2009 16:40:00 EST<![CDATA[VIDEO: Reborn Trans Am makes fire-breathing entrance in Dayton]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/09/04/video-reborn-trans-am-makes-fire-breathing-entrance-in-dayton/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/09/04/video-reborn-trans-am-makes-fire-breathing-entrance-in-dayton/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/09/04/video-reborn-trans-am-makes-fire-breathing-entrance-in-dayton/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Kevin Morgan Pontiac Trans Am - Click above to watch two videos after the break

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. Click past the break to watch the video.


Gallery: Phoenix Trans Am


[Source: Youtube]

Continue reading VIDEO: Reborn Trans Am makes fire-breathing entrance in Dayton

VIDEO: Reborn Trans Am makes fire-breathing entrance in Dayton originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 04 Sep 2009 19:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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With Pontiac's death official, we decided it was only appropriate to take a look back to find the ten greatest vehicles that defined the brand's performance. As you will see and undoubtedly already know, there was a time when Pontiac really did build excitement.

First, some history: Pontiac was first launched in 1926 as a companion to the Oakland brand, which was purchased by General Motors way back in 1909. In 1949, Pontiac introduced a brand new model that was intended to usher in a new sporty flair to the automaker's stately line of automobiles. Though the new model was fairly successful, it was held back by the long-running straight-eight engine that had been used since the early 1930s. That was all about to change with the introduction of the first model on our Top 10 list. Want to know more? Read on.

Top 10 Greatest Pontiacs Of All Time originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 27 Apr 2009 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>1955 pontiac1955Pontiacfeaturedgreatest pontiacsGreatestPontiacspontiac 6000 stepontiac fieropontiac firebirdpontiac g8pontiac g8 gtpontiac grand prixpontiac gtopontiac gto judgepontiac tempestpontiac trans amPontiac6000StePontiacFieroPontiacFirebirdPontiacG8PontiacG8GtPontiacGrandPrixPontiacGtoPontiacGtoJudgePontiacTempestPontiacTransAmtop 10 pontiacstop ten pontiacsTop10PontiacsTopTenPontiacsMon, 27 Apr 2009 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Burt Reynolds' own Bandit Trans Am to be auction in May]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/04/04/burt-reynolds-own-bandit-trans-am-to-be-auction-in-may/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/04/04/burt-reynolds-own-bandit-trans-am-to-be-auction-in-may/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/04/04/burt-reynolds-own-bandit-trans-am-to-be-auction-in-may/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


Click above for an image gallery of Burt Reynolds' Bandit Trans Am

The black-and-gold Special Edition Pontiac Trans Am will forever hold a special place in the minds and hearts of Americans old enough to remember how little there was in the way of performance in the mid-to-late 1970s. Standing as a lone bastion of V8-powered adrenaline, the TA refused to give up its ties to the muscle car era, which otherwise died an inglorious death around 1973.

Many point to the Smokey and the Bandit movie franchise for igniting sales of Pontiac's screaming chicken. In our minds, the star of the show was undoubtedly the car, but who can forget the image of Burt Reynolds and Sally Field running from Buford T. Justice, ably played by the late Jackie Gleason?

Fans looking for the ultimate expression of Burt Reynolds adoration will have the chance to bid on the star's own personal 1978 Pontiac Trans Am Special Edition as it goes up for auction May 2nd in Hiuston. According to the car's description, it's been fully restored and features embroidered Bandit portrait headrests and, of course, a period-correct Cobra CB radio. Full press release after the break.


Gallery: Burt Reynolds' Bandit Trans Am


[Source: Worldwide Auctioneers]

Continue reading Burt Reynolds' own Bandit Trans Am to be auction in May

Burt Reynolds' own Bandit Trans Am to be auction in May originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 04 Apr 2009 14:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bandit trans amBanditTransAmburt reynoldsburt reynolds trans amBurtReynoldsBurtReynoldsTransAmpontiac trans amPontiacTransAmsmokey and the banditsmokey and the bandit trans amSmokeyAndTheBanditSmokeyAndTheBanditTransAmtrans am seTransAmSeSat, 04 Apr 2009 14:01:00 EST<![CDATA[eBay Find of the Day: Trans Am Hurst Hauler Wagon]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/12/03/ebay-find-of-the-day-trans-am-hurst-hauler-wagon/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/12/03/ebay-find-of-the-day-trans-am-hurst-hauler-wagon/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/12/03/ebay-find-of-the-day-trans-am-hurst-hauler-wagon/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,


Click above for gallery of the 2000 Pontiac Trans Am Hurst Hauler

The Pontiac Trans Am has always been a bit over-styled, to put it mildly. As the ultimate expression of the Firebird, the TA was always adorned with all manner of scoops, wings and bulges, setting it off from more mundane versions of Pontiac's pony-fighter. In the late '90s, the last-gen F Body got its final restyling before heading to the great automotive graveyard in the sky, and its overwrought design left very little room for external customization. Where there's a will, there's a way, though, and Automotive Services in Sterling Heights, Michigan managed to add some extra pizazz to the car's swoopy shape with a Kammback rear hatch. A Trans Am Wagon? Sign us up! All it's missing is a huge Screaming Chicken on the hood.

The one-off machine, known as the Hurst Hauler, has made it to auction on eBay with a Buy It Now price of $35K. Originally introduced for the Y2K SEMA Show in Las Vegas, the car went on to star in the 2001 Hot Rod Power Tour driven by the guys at Year One. Based on a 2000 WS6-equipped TA, the ram air-fed 5.7L LS1 small block has seen some extra tuning in the form of a Corsa exhaust, custom-ground Erson camshaft, Accel fuel injectors and custom ECU tuning from TTS Power Systems. The result is about 370 horses according to The General's official press release from back in the day, which we've gone ahead and pasted after the break. Be sure to check out our gallery of pics, including the car posing with Miss Hurst herself, Linda Vaughn. Thanks for the tip, Ron!

Gallery: 2000 Pontiac Trans Am Hurst Hauler


[Source: eBay Motors]

Continue reading eBay Find of the Day: Trans Am Hurst Hauler Wagon

eBay Find of the Day: Trans Am Hurst Hauler Wagon originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 03 Dec 2008 10:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Since Buick, Pontiac and GMC dealers are in the process of consolidating their showrooms, many were likely hoping for a halo product that could draw customers into the showroom. Hey, wouldn't a version of the upcoming Chevy Camaro badged as a Pontiac Trans Am revival do the trick? Maybe, but at the NADA conference this week, GM told these dealers that a Pontiac Trans Am is not going to happen. Blame the new, more stringent federal fuel economy regulations for killing off this cool idea. In fact, the new regs also mean that the automaker will be scaling back on transforming Pontiac into a rear-wheel-drive performance division. Though GM assured dealers that Pontiac will remain a car-only brand, the assurance that a debacle like the Aztec won't happen a second time is little comfort to those who were hoping Pontiac would once again be the brand that builds excitement. And who says performance has to be totally sacrificed for fuel economy? New powertrains are being developed that make the most of the internal combustion engine's efficiency, and a twin-turbo, direct-inject four-cylinder can make gobs of power while being much more efficient than an equally powerful V6 or even V8.

GM did inform Buick, Pontiac and GMC dealers that they would be getting 12 new or special-edition vehicles over the next 20 months. A special-edition GMC Sierra pickup called Pro Grade was mentioned, for instance. Still, the quashing of any hope for a new Trans Am means that the number of vehicles slated to share the Camaro's rear-wheel-drive Zeta platform in the U.S. is dwindling. Only the Pontiac G8 and G8 ST car-based truck are confirmed, with Zeta-based rear-wheel-drive sedans for Buick and Chevy still up in the air. This means that without the ability to spread out costs across a number of new vehicles, the price of producing these vehicles will likely be high and passed on to the performance-minded consumer.

[Source: Automotive News, sub. req'd, Photo: Winding Road]

GM to dealers: You're not getting a Pontiac Trans Am originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 12 Feb 2008 10:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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What do the 1980 Chevy Monza and the 1973 VW Microbus have in common? They are among Car Talk hosts Tom and Ray Magliozzi's Top 10 Scariest Cars list. Of the Monza they say, " Whenever one of these beauties reared its ugly grille in front of the garage, every mechanic with more than six weeks' experience would go running for the men's room and lock the door." Another car on the list, the 1987 Ford Festiva, gets this derision from the brothers: "We once got in trouble for saying this car came right from the factory with a funeral wreath on the grille."

If these cars aren't scary enough, submit your own nomination.

The whole list after the jump.


[Source: cartalk.com]

Continue reading Cartalk names Top 10 Scariest Cars

Cartalk names Top 10 Scariest Cars originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 30 Oct 2006 19:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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General Motors recently gave Aaron Robinson, a junior at the Charter High School for Architecture and Design in Philadelphia, an unforgettable gift. The creative 17-year-old has a love for designing automobiles, so in conjunction with the Make-A-Wish foundation GM designers transformed his sketches of a Pontiac Trans Am design into a virtual 5-foot-by-10-foot computer projection model. Robinson's life has been marked by a battle with leukemia, and he is fortunately now in remission.

The design, of which The Detroit News appears to have no pictures (the one above we believe is another sketch of a future Corvette C16 done by Robinson and reinterpreted by GM designers), shows a model that takes design cues from the 1953 Chevy Corvette, as well as a one-headlight grille inspired by the 1945 Tucker. Amaury Diaz, creative designer for the Rear-Wheel Drive High Performance Studio at GM, said about the experience of interpreting the young man's design, "That is as much fun as I'll have this week."

It was refreshing that we didn't find news of GM's giving nature in its own list of press releases, as something like this shouldn't be treated as a marketing opportunity. Although we do hope GM will release some more pics so we can view Robinson's works from some additional angles.

[Source: The Detroit News]

GM Makes-A-Wish come true for teen with leukemia originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 28 Jun 2006 17:06:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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