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Check out the official 2013 Trans Am Hurst Edition commercial

Zach Bowman — Sat, 16 Mar 2013 19:01:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, Coupe, Performance, Marketing/Advertising, Videos, Chevrolet, Specialty, Design/Style

The Poncho is dead. Long live the Poncho. Like certain other reoccurring personal maladies, the aftermarket community simply can't let the Trans Am go without another flare up. The guys at Trans Am Depot have worked up a quick commercial for their newest creation: The 2013 Trans Am Hurst Edition, and it watches pretty much like you'd expect it to. The footage is comprised of just about every TA male fantasy you can conceive of, from Daisy Dukes and white tank tops to tramp stamps, bikinis and ice cream cones. There simply aren't words for what you'll see below.

Of course, we like our T-Tops as much as the next guy. If you like what you see in the videos, you can pick up your very own TA by heading over to the Trans Am Depot site. The guys even have Chevrolet Camaro-based versions of the Pontiac GTO if the '77 TA treatment is too much for your tastes. Enjoy, but don't say we didn't warn you.

Continue reading Check out the official 2013 Trans Am Hurst Edition commercial

Check out the official 2013 Trans Am Hurst Edition commercial originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 16 Mar 2013 19:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Hurst Edition Trans Am proves the Screaming Chicken will rise from the ashes

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Wed, 31 Oct 2012 14:39:00 EST

Filed under: SEMA Show, Classics, Coupe, Performance, GM, Pontiac, Specialty

It seems the Pontiac Trans Am steadfastly refuses to die. Ever since Chevrolet was granted a retrofied Camaro to compete with the Ford Mustang, Pontiac lovers have lamented the loss of this 1970s icon. And, looking at the Hurst Edition from Trans Am Depot, shown here at the 2012 SEMA Show, may explain what all the fuss is about.

It's not going to appeal to everyone's muscle-car tastes, but there's certainly room for a brash-and-bold black-and-gold Special Edition in many a Trans Am lover's garage. After all, if you want the keys to a custom pony car, you'll certainly get noticed in this one. If this scheme isn't your bag,, you can alternatively order your Hurst Edition in white and gold or silver and black. Oh, and don't forget a color-coordinated Screaming Chicken on the hood.

No matter which way you choose to go, your inner Burt Reynolds will appreciate the Eibach suspension kit, forged wheels with Pirelli PZero tires, functional shaker hood, fender air extractors, rear spoiler and, of course, a Hurst shifter inside. The interior is emblazoned with all manner of special touches, including a Hurst dash plate and T/A stitching on the Katzkin two-tone leather seats.

Optional bits include T-Tops, which you simply must include, a supercharger or twin-turbo package and just about anything else your black-and-gold heart desires. If you'd like to know more, check out the official website here and our high-res image gallery above.

Hurst Edition Trans Am proves the Screaming Chicken will rise from the ashes originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 31 Oct 2012 14:39:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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eBay Find of the Day: Teutel Senior's Camaro-based 2011 Pontiac Trans Am Hurst Edition

Aaron Richardson — Sun, 18 Sep 2011 19:55:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, Classics, Coupe, Performance, Auctions, Chevrolet, Celebrities

Looks like American Chopper star Paul Teutel, Sr. has decided his 2011 Pontiac Trans Am Hurst Edition is getting boring. His reworked 2011 Chevrolet Camaro SS, Smokey and the Bandit-style rebody and paint scheme was put up for auction on eBay Motors this week.

There are changes beneath that bodywork as well. For starters, the LS3 V8 is supplemented by a big centrifugal blower. Inside, a chrome Hurst shifter and gold-and-black interior further cement the theme of mustachioed 1970s badassery.

While we found the $125,000 "Buy It Now" price a bit galling, either someone else didn't and has already snapped up the faux Pontiac, or the seller has pulled the sale for one reason or another. We'll be sure to keep an eye out for a relisting, but that shouldn't stop you from stealing a few looks at Teutel's made-up musclecar in our gallery

eBay Find of the Day: Teutel Senior's Camaro-based 2011 Pontiac Trans Am Hurst Edition originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 18 Sep 2011 19:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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HPP teases Firebird, Camaro customs for SEMA

Jeff Glucker — Tue, 26 Oct 2010 19:58:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, SEMA Show, Coupe, Chevrolet, GM, Pontiac, Design/Style

HPP Trans-Am - Click above for high-res image gallery

We've seen companies attempt to turn the Chevrolet Camaro into a Pontiac Trans-Am, but the results are often mixed at best. Heide Performance Products, a customizing company out of Madison Heights, MI, is looking to change that. Is it successful? Well, let's just say we're looking forward to seeing HPP's pointy-nosed '69 Trans Am knock-off with our own eyes at SEMA next week.

The company has detailed the build process on its Facebook page, and there's also a second Camaro with T-Tops the company is bringing to SEMA. Finally, we have modern versions of the Dodge Daytona and Plymouth Superbird based off the current Challenger. See for yourself in our high-res photo gallery below.

Gallery: HPP Trans-Am and Camaro

[Source: Heide Performance Products]

HPP teases Firebird, Camaro customs for SEMA originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 26 Oct 2010 19:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Pontiac Trans Am leads '70s resurgence at Barrett-Jackson Las Vegas

Autoblog Staff — Fri, 24 Sep 2010 17:59:00 EST

Filed under: Classics, Auctions

This article originally appeared on SPEED.com and is republished with permission. Check your local listings for SPEEDtv's live coverage of Barrett-Jackson Las Vegas, which continues today from 4PM-11PM EST and Saturday from 2PM -9:30PM EST.

Pontiac Trans Am at Barrett-Jackson Las Vegas - Click above for high-res image gallery

One thing you'll find plenty of at the Barrett-Jackson Las Vegas Auction is Pontiac Firebird Trans Ams from the late '70s. The same black-and-gold, "Smoky and the Bandit," screamin' eagle Trans Ams that beguiled so many adolescent gearheads in their day.

These flamboyant muscle cars have enjoyed a resurgence of late, moving away from disco-era kitsch and into the realm of bona fide collector cars. Not too many cars of that stylistic- and performance-challenged time have made the leap.

"The styling has endured for a long, long time," said admitted Pontiac addict Tom Knight of Albuquerque, N.M, as he eyed a 1976 Trans Am 50th Anniversary coupe. "I think there's been a resurrection now that Pontiac's dead."

Gallery: Pontiac Trans Ams at Barrett-Jackson Las Vegas

[Images: Bob Golfen, SPEED.com]

Continue reading Pontiac Trans Am leads '70s resurgence at Barrett-Jackson Las Vegas

Pontiac Trans Am leads '70s resurgence at Barrett-Jackson Las Vegas originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 24 Sep 2010 17:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video: Trans-Am race cars battle it out at the Monterey Motorsports Reunion

Drew Phillips — Wed, 25 Aug 2010 19:58:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Classics, Videos, Ford, Racing

1969 Ford Boss 302 Team Shelby Trans-Am Mustang - Click above to watch the video after the jump

One of our favorite events from the Monterey car week earlier this month was watching the field of 44 Trans-Am race cars tear it up at the Motorsports Reunion at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca. The sights and sounds of classic Mustangs, Camaros and Challengers battling it out on the track just like they did in the late '60s and early '70s was something we'll never forget.

The eventual winner of that race was a 1969 Boss 302 Mustang (which is now up for sale) owned and driven by Laguna Seca veteran Bruce Canepa, who has put up a video of his victory. The video shows that the win wasn't easy, as he traded places with a 1970 Dodge Challenger T/A and a 1970 Chevrolet Camaro Z/28 multiple times. You can watch the entire race in the embedded video after the jump, and be sure to turn up your speakers.

Gallery: 1969 Ford Boss 302 Team Shelby Trans-Am Mustang

[Source: YouTube]

Continue reading Video: Trans-Am race cars battle it out at the Monterey Motorsports Reunion

Video: Trans-Am race cars battle it out at the Monterey Motorsports Reunion originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 25 Aug 2010 19:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Legendary Pontiac ad-man Jim Wangers selling off his collection

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Thu, 27 May 2010 19:29:00 EST

Filed under: Classics, Performance, Pontiac, Specialty

Jim Wangers' 1969 Pontiac GTO Judge - Click above for high-res image gallery

Got a hankering for a new Pontiac? Well, we've got bad news, then... you can't get one. But today we can offer up something even better: a new-to-you classic Pontiac GTO, Firebird, Trans Am, or even a Holden Commodore HSV GTS-R. Now we're talking.

The cars in question come from the personal collection of Jim Wangers, who famously served as Pontiac chief marketing manager during the brand's halcyon days of muscle cars, sportscars and a favored position right behind Chevrolet in General Motors' brand index. As such, we'd expect these 10 machines to be excellent examples of the breed.

Now, on to the actual cars. First up is a 1965 GTO Sport Coupe, a car that represents the second year of the model's existence and stands as a tribute to the classically warmed-over Royal Bobcat cars. If wind-in-your-hair motoring is more your style, may we direct you to the droptop 1966 Goat behind door number two. Also available are two Carousel Red (a.k.a. 'orange') GTO Judges from 1969.

Perhaps you prefer the F-body? Choose from a first-year Firebird from 1967, a real 1969 Trans Am (super rare, very expensive), a 1979 Trans Am 10th Anniversary car with less than 100 miles on the odometer, a 20th Anniversary Trans Am with the turbocharged V6 engine from the Buick Grand National from 1989 or, finally, a white and blue 30th Anniversary Trans Am convertible.

Still not caught your fancy? Well, there's one more option: the aforementioned year 2000 Holden Commodore HSV GTS-R, which Wangers describes as "the very car that inspired Bob Lutz to seek from Holden (GM's Australian car maker) a car for U.S. buyers - the '04 Pontiac GTO." Interested? Peep at the gallery below and then click here for the rest of the details.

Gallery: Jim Wangers' Pontiac Collection for sale

[Source: GeeTO Tiger via Motorator]

Legendary Pontiac ad-man Jim Wangers selling off his collection originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 27 May 2010 19:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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eBay Find of the Day: Ex-Gurney 1969 Shelby Trans Am Mustang Boss 302

Zach Bowman — Wed, 26 May 2010 11:29:00 EST

Filed under: Classics, Coupe, Auctions, Ford, Racing

Dan Gurney's 1969 Ford Mustang Boss 302 Trans-Am - Click above for image gallery

Here's your chance to lay your hands on a piece of muscle car history. One of Dan Gurney's 1969 Ford Mustang Boss 302 racecars is up for bid on eBay Motors with a chilly Buy it Now price of $1.1 million. The car campaigned in a number of race series, but the biggest feather in its cap is that it helped Ford secure the silver in the 1969 Trans-Am manufacturer championship. According to the listing, this particular example was the prototype for the rest of the Trans-Am Mustangs driven that year, and it was built for Caroll Shelby's team by Kar Kraft.

Gurney whipped the car around the track at Kent and used it for practice at Sears Point, but Peter Revson piloted the Boss to its best finish of the '69 season - fourth at Laguna Seca. After Shelby walked away from the Trans Am series, the Ford spent some time as a wind-tunnel test car and made its way around a variety of race circuits, nabbing an SCCA Championship along the way. In 2003, it was restored to its 1969 configuration in concourse condition, complete with a 527 horsepower 302 under the hood.

The auction includes a mountain of documentation, including signed letters of authenticity from Carroll Shelby himself, Kar Kraft engineering drawings and a stack of period photos of the car going fender to fender. Hit eBay Motors to check it out.

Gallery: Dan Gurney's 1969 Ford Mustang Boss 302 Trans-Am

[Source: eBay Motors]

eBay Find of the Day: Ex-Gurney 1969 Shelby Trans Am Mustang Boss 302 originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 26 May 2010 11:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Gearhead Performance Group plans another Camaro-based Trans Am replica

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 18:59:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Chevrolet, Pontiac, Specialty

Gearhead Performance Group 2010 Pontiac Trans Am - Click above for high-res image gallery

How many Chevrolet Camaro-based Pontiac Trans Am replicas can what we assume to be a rather small market support? We've already seen Kevin Morgan's Phoenix T/A revival as well as our personal favorite, the Lingenfelter 455 T/A Concept that we saw last November at the annual SEMA Show in Vegas, and now it seems that we can add a third Trans Am to the growing list of replicas, this one from Gearhead Performance Group.

One thing that certainly caught our attention that the Gearhead T/A will supposedly offer as an option is a 900 horsepower 6.2 liter twin turbo LS9 V8 engine. Besides that, we see the typical and fully expected split front grille, fender vents, ducktail spoiler and snowflake wheels. There will also be a ~~gaud~~ gold-accented interior option for the ultimate in 1970s style. Just add a CB radio and you'll be good to go.

Gallery: Gearhead Performance Group 2010 Pontiac Trans Am

[Source: Gearhead Performance Group via Jalopnik]

Gearhead Performance Group plans another Camaro-based Trans Am replica originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 20 Jan 2010 18:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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SEMA 2009: Breaker, breaker, we got ourselves a Bandit

Frank Filipponio — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 12:38:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, Concept Cars, SEMA Show, Coupe, Performance, Pontiac

Kevin Morgan Phoenix Trans Am Concept 2 - Click above for high-res image gallery

Last year in Las Vegas, graphic designer Kevin Morgan showed off the first Trans Am rebody of the new Camaro at SEMA 2008. This year he is back with T/A version 2.0 for SEMA 2009. While the original "Phoenix" T/A 1.0 had the Bandit color combo we know and love, a few of the details were off in making it a true '77-'78 Trans Am redo.

For this year's show he's rectified that situation with a new quad-headlight front fascia and a few other changes that bring it more in line with the uber Firebirds we remember from our misspent youths. Slip into one of these black and gold Trans Ams and before you know it you'll be East Bound and Down, calling for the Snowman on your CB to help you stay one step ahead of Smokey. Built in conjunction with fabricator Todd Otto, one-off versions can be ordered to spec, and a kit version will also be made available through Trans Am Depot starting in early 2010.

Gallery: SEMA 2009: Kevin Morgan Trans-Am Concept

SEMA 2009: Breaker, breaker, we got ourselves a Bandit originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 03 Nov 2009 12:38:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The Lingenfelter 455 T/A Concept really is badass

Alex Nunez — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 18:07:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, SEMA Show, Coupe, Performance, Chevrolet, Pontiac

Lingenfelter 455 T/A Concept - See more images at Car and Driver

Car and Driver is the first outlet to post real live photos of the SEMA-bound Lingenfelter 455 T/A Concept. By taking the looks of the '70 Trans Am and adapting them to the new Chevrolet Camaro, Lingenfelter has created something that will have you playing "What if.." scenarios regarding Pontiac over and over again in your heads. Imagine a world in which you could walk into a General Motors dealer and pick between this and the G8 GXP...

Anyway, snap out of it, because that ain't happenin'. We think what's likely to happen, if people go as batsh*t crazy over this creation at SEMA as we think they will, is that Lingenfelter will probably offer the package to customers. That's probably good, anyway, as we can't see GM spending the bucks to offer the 455 T/A's upgraded interior (yeah, it's premium vinyl, baby) and monstrously-upgraded engine. See, that 455 nomenclature's no joke. According to C/D, the 455 CID/7.5-liter V8 rocks an 11.5:1 compression ratio, ported and polished LS7 heads, a new intake and a forged crankshaft. The exhaust is by Corsa, the honeycomb wheels are custom jobs, and most importantly, the engine comes correct with 655 horses and 610 lb-ft. of torque. We'll have plenty more on this bad mofo next week from SEMA. In the meantime, head over to CarandDriver.com for more images.

[Source: Car and Driver via Camaro5 | Image: Patrick M. Hoey]

The Lingenfelter 455 T/A Concept really is badass originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 31 Oct 2009 18:07:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 19:29:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, Coupe, Performance, Videos, Chevrolet, Pontiac

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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Confirmed: "Phoenix" Trans Am conversion kit coming for Camaro

Jonny Lieberman — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 14:56:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, Classics, Convertible, Coupe, Performance, Pontiac

Kevin Morgan Pontiac Trans Am Renderings - Click above for high-res image gallery

So... as of January 1, 2010, Pontiac is dead. Buried. Gone forever. No more. Obviously, something as pesky as death ain't going to stop hard core Trans Am fanatics from driving an (almost) honest to goodness 2010 Pontiac Trans Am and/or Firebird. Why? If you have to ask... you bring up a good point. Especially because when you get right down to it, the Trans Am was rarely anything other than a Chevy Camaro with different sheet metal.

Keeping that in mind, Trans Am Depot will be offering body kits that will transform (lowly) Camaros into full-on screamin' chicken Trans Ams! Based off Kevin Morgan's original design(s), the Phoenix Trans Am kits will be unveiled at the 2009 Trans Am Nationals. And then you'll have the chance to own a Trans Am that costs more than a Camaro but is just as fast. Hey - just sayin'. Fully detailed press release after the jump.

Gallery: Phoenix Trans Am

[Source: Trans Am Depot | Kevin Morgan Designs via Jalopnik]

Continue reading Confirmed: "Phoenix" Trans Am conversion kit coming for Camaro

Confirmed: "Phoenix" Trans Am conversion kit coming for Camaro originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 12 Aug 2009 14:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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SEMA 2008: K.I.T.T. helps sell Knight Rider GPS for Mio

Frank Filipponio — Sun, 09 Nov 2008 12:20:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, Gadgets, SEMA Show, Classics, Performance, Pontiac, Celebrities, Specialty

Click above for high-res gallery of K.I.T.T. and the Mio GPS

There were a lot of movie and TV-themed vehicles at SEMA this year, but one of our favorite entertainment tie-ins had to be the Mio Knight Rider GPS system. We told you about this way back in June, played with it when the new K.I.T.T. visited the Autoblog Garage, and messed with it some more in Vegas. It sounds exactly like you'd hope it would. "Michael, you're going the wrong way, you ninny," isn't in the regular playlist, but it did have some attitude. Even better than laying hands on the Mio, however, was the fact that K.I.T.T. ( no, not the Mustang) was actually in the Mio booth selling the product. It was almost too much to handle. As we told you in June, the Mio Knight Rider GPS unit uses the voice the one-and-only William Daniels, the original voice of K.I.T.T., and asks cordially "Hello Michael, where do you want to go today?" when powered up. The 4.3-inch LCD display is also flanked by a series of red LEDs reminiscent of K.I.T.T.'s nose-mounted lights. It's available for sale now at about $270.

Gallery: SEMA 2008: K.I.T.T. helps sell GPS systems

SEMA 2008: K.I.T.T. helps sell Knight Rider GPS for Mio originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 09 Nov 2008 12:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Autoblog Podcast #87

Dan Roth — Sat, 16 Feb 2008 13:31:00 EST

Filed under: Chicago Auto Show, Concept Cars, Podcasts, Hybrid, Minivan/Van, Truck, Crossover, Acura, Chevrolet, Dodge, Ford, GM, Suzuki, Volkswagen, India

The Chicago Auto Show wasn't that eventful, but that's what we lead off Autoblog Podcast episode #87 with. The Challenger was the biggest deal, followed by the Denali XT, and then a bunch of inconsequential things. We did find ourselves talking about the Suzuki Equator and the Ford Transit Connect, too. We give you our first up close and personal impressions of the Challenger SRT-8 in this podcast. We also saw the VW Routan, which certainly doesn't conjure warm, fuzzy memories of Type IIs gone by. Chevy's Traverse calls into question the usefulness of Saturn's Outlook in the product lineup. Speaking of GM badge-engineering, we got word this week that Pontiac will not be getting a Trans Am companion to the Camaro, dang. Another disappointment is the rumor that Cerberus is going to let the Viper run down without rewinding the clock for a third generation. We wrap up by touching on the possibility that an Indian pickup could be the first diesel hybrid in the US, even though it's not even being imported yet, and we're sure that when it gets here, it'll generate even more hate than the new Acura RL. 42 minutes, that's it. Sorry it's a little late this week, it's all Alex's fault, I swear.

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Autoblog Podcast #87 originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 16 Feb 2008 13:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Catch "Travolta Fever" on eBay

Dan Roth — Sun, 11 Nov 2007 10:07:00 EST

Filed under: Classics, Performance, Auctions, Pontiac

By buying this (garishly) customized Firebird, you're really purchasing a way of life. Inexplicably listed as a 1971, when it's clearly about a decade newer, this car is your ticket to a full-on star shrine. You get the car, a trunkful of memorabilia and knicknacks, even a domain name (travoltafever.com). The car itself was built in 1979 by George Barris, and it encapsulates some of the pop culture ethos of the late 1970s. The interior has a manly theme inspired by Urban Cowboy, though when we set our gaze upon it, all we could think was Brokeback Mountain. Nevertheless, it's certainly better than the stock Poncho interior was. The exterior has been flared in an odd way, endowed with a large spoiler, and painted in the fashion of the time. The car is actually named "Travolta Fever," so says the hood. How awesome, you could have a Firebird named after the same virus that inspired Travolta to release a double album.

All snarkiness aside, it's a cool piece of Kustom Kar history, which is inextricably linked with a well known Hollywood star. Star value always inflates car prices, for better or worse. This one comes with a collection of other memorabilia, as well, and looks to be in good shape. There's no telling whether it will truly appreciate in value, but $25,000 isn't that outrageous for a car with a known celebrity link that comes with all kinds of extra stuff. Some of that stuff includes a Revell scale model kit, a copy of the "Travolta Fever" double LP, and various other pieces signed by George Barris. You're guaranteed to draw a crowd at your local car show with this thing, even if you're parked next to a Bandit Trans Am.

Catch "Travolta Fever" on eBay originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 11 Nov 2007 10:07:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Goat or Chicken: Will 2010 Pontiac be a Firebird or GTO?

Frank Filipponio — Tue, 03 Jul 2007 12:27:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Coupe, Performance, Pontiac

We visited this issue in February, when Winding Road speculated Pontiac would get a Camaro spinoff, but now Car and Driver is weighing in. With the imminent return of the Chevy Camaro, many Poncho fans have wondered about a possible return of the screaming chicken, as well. Pontiac's last attempt at reviving a storied model (GTO) met with mixed results. The GTO was supposed to be a slam dunk for Pontiac. Take an existing rear drive muscular platform, add a few Pontiac trim pieces and a GTO badge, and voilà, instant success. Well, it didn't quite go as planned and GTO sales were rather tepid. Not that it wasn't a good car, especially in 6.0 form, but it didn't really set hearts aflutter, especially compared to the wildly successful retro Mustang.

So will Pontiac get a new GTO, or maybe a Firebird instead? With the G8 coming to replace the Bonneville and Grand Prix, a suitable RWD platform is already approved for US consumption. And of course, it's also underpinning that hot new Camaro. So if Pontiac gets a new muscle coupe, will it show up as a goat or a chicken? That's what Car and Driver asked Pontiac. After a long silence, C and D finally got some answers. Surprisingly, they seem to point towards a new GTO. They based this on Bob Lutz's own words: "No carbon copy of the Camaro will make it into any other GM-brand showroom" is how they put it. They also point out that while a Firebird would have to be essentially the same as a Camaro, a GTO from the same platform could be bigger and different enough to claim its own place in the market, maybe more of a G8 coupe. Whichever badge this future Pontiac sport coupe wears, it should get the same 261-hp 3.6-liter DOHC V-6 or 362-hp LS2 6.0-liter V-8 options as the G8. They would be offered with five or six-speed automatics, respectively, but six-speed manuals should be available, as well. Tough choice, really - a Firebird that would be a restyled Camaro, or a GTO that could go its own way. Which would you choose?

[Source: Car and Driver]

Goat or Chicken: Will 2010 Pontiac be a Firebird or GTO? originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 03 Jul 2007 12:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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eBay Find of the Day: Bullrun-winning Trans Am

John Neff — Mon, 11 Jun 2007 18:03:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Auctions, Pontiac

We watched a marathon of the SpikeTV reality show based on the Bullrun Rally and hosted by Bill Goldberg, but weren't too terribly impressed with the premise. It seemed one needed only a decent proficiency at reading maps, as well as a lot of luck, to win. The winning team was the father/daughter duo of Mike and Morgan Alsop from Lafayette, Indiana, who took top Bullrun honors at the helm of their 2002 Pontiac Trans Am WS6. While the finale is still sitting on our TiVo, we know that the Alsops got as far as they did by making more friends than enemies, while watching their own backs at the same time. Meanwhile, their Trans Am performed flawlessly throughout the 4,800-mile rally and proved to be bulletproof, unlike the rides brought by many of their competition.

Like true Americans, father and daughter Alsop are eager to capitalize on their fifteen minutes of fame and have put the Championship Trans Am up for sale on eBay Motors. One of the Alsop's fellow Bullrunners already put his Lamborghini Murcielago up for sale on eBay, but he didn't have the decency to give the car a tune up or fix any of the damage it received from the competition. The Alsop's sent their car to a body shop immediately following the race and ordered up a new paint job, tires, suspension components and an engine tune up. So not only are you buying a hella fast Trans Am that's proven to be as reliable as the setting sun, you're also buying a car that's seen the bright lights of Hollywood and has a few stories to tell.

Thanks for the tip, Mike!

[Source: eBay Motors]

eBay Find of the Day: Bullrun-winning Trans Am originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 11 Jun 2007 18:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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VIDEO: Knight Rider spoof... freaking hilarious

Chris Shunk — Fri, 08 Jun 2007 12:06:00 EST

Filed under: Videos, Supercars, Pontiac

Every once in a while we see one of those flash-based spoof cartoons that are just too good to pass up. This one, which is a commercial for Australia's CarsGuide, takes a hilarious swipe at the early 80's car show Knight Rider to show how important the right car really is. From the car's request for a destination, to the constantly changing cast of women in "Day Rider's" passenger seat and the giant cell phone in a suitcase, this one has all the makings of comic immortality. The "plot" of the spoof is that Michael Day is trying to stop an illegal shipment of hair mousse. Fittingly, the character spoofing David Hasselhoff ends up laying on the ground at the end. Check it out after the jump.

[Source: YouTube via Hemmings Car Blog]

Continue reading VIDEO: Knight Rider spoof... freaking hilarious

VIDEO: Knight Rider spoof... freaking hilarious originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 08 Jun 2007 12:06:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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VIDEO: Year One Bandit T/A in action! - UPDATED with latest version

Dan Roth — Thu, 03 May 2007 09:28:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, Classics, Videos, Pontiac

UPDATE: Our friends at Year One graciously hooked us up with the latest version of this video - embedded after the jump.

"Bandit you're reckless and you live much too hard..."

We feel a full-fledged late 1970s lovefest coming on soon. Not that it'd be any worse than the resurgence of 1980s pop culture among those that didn't live it. Let's just say it was bad the first time, and hasn't improved with age. One thing that is better this time around are the Bandit T/A recreations from Year One. We reported on these a while back, and since we're all hot for the darn thing, here's some more eye candy. Looks like Sheriff Buford T. Justice finally has his day in the sun at the end of this short promo video, which we've embedded after the jump.

[Source: Year One]

Continue reading VIDEO: Year One Bandit T/A in action! - UPDATED with latest version

VIDEO: Year One Bandit T/A in action! - UPDATED with latest version originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 03 May 2007 09:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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