Car of the Week: 1977 Pontiac Trans Am
If you are of a slightly older generation and you are a car lover chances are at some point in your life you lusted after this car. This is the car that Burt Reynolds drove in Smokey and the Bandit, the second highest grossing movie released in 1977 behind Star Wars. Available with a few different engines the big one being a 400 cubic inch, 6.6 liter V8 which put out 200 horsepower with 325 lb/ft of torque. I had a hard time finding performance specs but from what I found 0-60 could be achieved in 9.3 seconds and do the quarter mile in 16.9 seconds at 82mph but I am not sure how accurate those specs are. Not the most impressive stats in the world but the world was still reeling from the gas depression of the 70’s.
In my mind there aren’t many cars that look as badass as the Trans Am. How can you not love the big firebird on the hood? I will own one some day and mine will be black and gold with the 6.6 engine and T-tops, just like the Bandits.
Oooh I like the new category.. I can’t wait until you profile the Mitsubishi 300GT and the old rivalry between kevin and I can resurface. As for the Trans-am, nice pick. You know these cars came with a mustache. The only car in history to come with one. A lot of people think the camaro did, but no. The Camaro did come with a collection of Prog-Rock 8-tracks. I feel like the late 70’s was the last of the era. Muscle cars were about to get kinda shitty in early 80s. I don’t totally love the trans am but i do respect it. And I especially respect that bad-ass firebird.
ps. Shannon just wants to pose the following question; Is Trans-Am short for Trans-American? not a bad question, and I’ve never thought about it.
May 26th, 2007 at 7:20 amThe Trans Am is named after a race series of the same name. Actually the full name of the racing series is “Trans-American Sedan Championship”. Interestingly enough, the name was used without permission of the racing league and they threatened to sue. GM settled the deal by paying $5 to the league for every car sold.
May 26th, 2007 at 3:35 pm