Pontiac Trans Am (1975-1981)

Pontiac's Trans Am was born into the final few years of the muscle car era and represented one of the finest examples of its genre. Originally intended as a serious competition car, its on-track achievements were unspectacular – third place in the 1969 Daytona 24 Hours the most significant – but as an addendum to the Firebird range it ranks among the most successful models in 80 years of Pontiac production. Early cars also rank among the most desirable Pontiacs of all time; their distinctive style and low build numbers ensuring current US market values for top-class cars in the region of $40,000.

The popularity of later Trans Ams is due in part to an inexorable association with Burt Reynolds character in the 1977 film Smokey and the Bandit. Thanks also to Burt, the T/A for a time became magnetically attracted to middle-aged men with horizontally challenged waistlines and more gold jewellery than Michael Hill. Today that association is a dimming memory; websites and chatrooms dedicated to the model confirming the growing popularity of Trans Ams with younger, often female, owners.

The original Trans Am was introduced in March 1969, powered by a 6.6-litre V8 with Ram Air shaker and 248kW. The '1970 ½' restyle delivered a more substantial structure and the opportunity to embellish the T/A's performance with a muscular 7.4-litre (455ci) V8. In 1973 came a Super Duty version of the engine that found its way into just 252 cars.

Transforming the T/A from a wild and woolly special to a series-production model took little more than a stroke of the legislative pen. New anti-smog rules that coincided with soaring fuel prices ended a decade during which performance had been the primary objective for North America's car manufacturers.

While many muscle cars disappeared or - like Ford's Mustang - underwent radical downsizing, the Trans Am escaped with most of its performance credibility intact. That said, it was still saddled with power units that confirmed GM's inability to extract performance from emission controlled engines wasn't confined to the company's Australian models.

Changes to the terminology used to describe engine output (net power in place of gross) were a factor as well and by 1976 the claimed horsepower of a 'clean' 7.4-litre engine had declined to just 148kW. Acceleration from 0-96km/h at 8.4sec was 2sec slower than the time attributed to a 'dirty' 455ci SD.

The decline could have been even more significant if not for revised gearing that maximized torque and masked the engine's inability to safely rev beyond 4500rpm. As a result, the top speed of a mid-'70s four-speed manual car was reduced from 200km/h to 177km/h and fuel consumption averaged 21L/100km.

Standard to T/As, that in 1976 cost $US4988, were power disc brakes and fast ratio (2.4 turns lock to lock) steering, four-speed manual transmission, sports seats and comprehensive instrumentation. Specifying a 7.4-litre engine over the standard 6.6 cost an additional $175.

Radial Tuned Suspension - a term later borrowed by Holden for its HZ range - provided Uniroyal steel belted tyres fitted to alloy wheels and complemented by uprated shock absorbers and springs. Semi-elliptic rear springs were retained but US testers were impressed by the package; America's Road & Track magazine described the '76 Trans Am as "...exciting to drive at speed on narrow, winding roads."

Styling changes during the late 1970s introduced a new, energy-absorbing nosecone with four deep-set headlamps replacing the twin, mudguard-mounted lights of earlier models. However, the distinctive wheel-arch extensions that were a feature of Trans Ams from the very beginning remained available.

Special versions were a feature of late-'70s Trans Am marketing. Among these was the Special Edition that was produced with black with gold pin-striping, gold honeycomb wheels and a removable roof panel. Production was initially pegged at just 2400 units but response was such that SE versions became a feature of the Trans Am range. A highlight of Trans Am embellishment during this era was the Firebird decal - irreverently known as the Screaming Chicken - that on some models completely covered the car's substantial bonnet.

Further limited-production cars followed, including the 10th Anniversary Trans Am in silver and black with specially designed Turbo alloy wheels. Also sold briefly and in limited numbers was a 5.0-litre turbocharged model with 155kW and purportedly more economical than the 6.6-litre Oldsmobile V8. In fact, magazine testing found that at 23L/100km, it used even more fuel than the larger-engined car.

Cars delivered new in Australia were usually loaded with accessories like electric windows and air-conditioning to help justify pricing that - once the cost of right-hand drive conversion was added - placed them in the same price bracket as a Porsche 911.

Among Australia's better examples of a 'Bandit' Trans Am is Josh Mikelat's 1980 model with its WS6 handling package, four-wheel disc brakes and eight-inch 'snowflake' alloy wheels. The car was sold new in the Californian city of Santa Monica and has been in Australia since the mid-'80s. In common with other cars that arrived here at a young age, Mikelat's T/A had remained rust free but was showing signs of sun damage and neglect when acquired during 2003.

"It needed a fair bit of work to the paint and trim and a general tidy up but there wasn't any rust or major mechanical problems and it's a great looking car," Mikelat said.

ON THE ROAD
Despite having at least 6.6 litres of grumbling, fuel guzzling V8 under the hood, 1975-81 model Trans Ams aren't nearly as daunting to drive and own as their imagery might suggest.

" They are probably the most practical muscle car you can find and it attracts attention everywhere it goes," was Josh Mikelat's summation of his car's endearing attributes. "The Olds motor has got plenty of torque, and handling with the heavier suspension bushings and the big wheels is excellent," he said. "Parts are easy to find and usually pretty affordable and in fact the only grumble I've got is the rain gutters are so poorly designed you've got to drive with the windows up on wet days."

While the T/A suspension can't claim to be sophisticated, it is certainly effective and, allied to a quartet of 279mm disc brakes, combines sporty drivability with outstanding stopping power.

The interior of a Trans Am provides an exciting and bewildering playpen but nowhere near the chrome-enhanced character of early Firebirds and other muscle models. In common with many '70s vehicles, the T/A's combination of low-set seating, a high waistline and small windows limits rearward vision and makes the car feel larger than it is.

Accommodation for front-seat passengers is generous but the rear compartment is too cramped for the car to be regarded as anything more than a 2+2. The boot is tiny in relation to the car's bulk so for two-passenger touring the rear seat provides a useful extension to the car's cargo capacity.

BUYING
Those you who have been watching the values of HQ-HX two-door Monaros soar into the $20,000s might be wise to consider the alternative that a well-kept Trans Am provides.

Few cars from the 1975-81 production era will cost more than $20,000 and very good examples can be found in the region of $15,000. Daggy but roadworthy examples are available for fewer than $8000, however those priced at less than $5000 might cost vastly more to rebuild than they will ultimately be worth.

The vast majority of 1970s Trans Ams in Australia will be right hand drive - most converted more than 20 years ago probably in need of some front-end refurbishing. The alternative is to wait a while and acquire an original LHD car that, once it is 30 years old, can be fully registered without steering modification.

Contact with the Camaro-Firebird Owners Club can provide guidance in a variety of areas including determining a car's authenticity.

BODY:
Cars that have spent most of their lives in the northern US require close inspection for concealed rust. Floor pans, suspension mounting points, lower rear panels and windscreen surrounds are the most vulnerable areas. The urethane nose decays with age however replacements are available second-hand at between $600 and $1000 - plus paint. Leaks via removable T-top panels are common and new seal sets cost up to $1100. Drooping doors can be easily realigned.

ENGINE & TRANSMISSION:
The Pontiac or Oldsmobile V8s used in T/As are generally durable, requiring little more than regular maintenance to provide 250,000km-plus of reliable motoring. Parts for the Pontiac 400 or 455 and Oldsmobile 403 engines are freely available and any of these engines can be fully rebuilt for less than $4000. Used engines in serviceable condition are available for half that amount. The scarce Turbo provides potential for a host of electronic malfunctions and overheating.

SUSPENSION & BRAKES:
Worn bushes and shock absorbers are common T/A problems that will dramatically alter handling characteristics. Virtually everything for the suspension is available, with repair kits for the front-end available locally and priced at around $300. Damaged wheels can be replaced second hand for $600-800 per set. Cars that will be regularly driven need a full-sized spare wheel instead of the standard space saver.

INTERIOR & ELECTRICAL:
Worn, sun-damaged trim is common, as are waterlogged carpets due to poor rain gutter design. Seats can tilt towards the centre of the car due to worn mounting bushes but this is easily corrected. More of a problem is fading and damage to the metal instrument surround that is difficult to source - even in the US. Check electric windows for scratches and misalignment.

FAST FACTS:

PRODUCTION: 332,158 (1975-81)

BODY: unitary construction, all steel, two-door coupe

ENGINE: 6.6-litre (7.4-litre optional) pushrod V8 with single downdraft carburettor

POWER & TORQUE: 148kW @ 3500rpm, 445Nm @ 2000rpm ('76 model 7.4-litre)

PERFORMANCE: 0-96km/h - 8.4 sec. 0-400m - 15.9sec ('76 model 7.4-litre)

SUSPENSION: Front - unequal length A arms, telescopic shock absorbers, anti-roll bar. Rear - live axle with semi-elliptic springs, telescopic shock absorbers, anti-roll bar

BRAKES: disc front/drum rear (disc/disc optional) power assisted

WHEELS & TYRES: 15 X 8 alloy, 225/70/H15

PRICE RANGE: $4000-25,000

CLUB: Camaro-Firebird Owners Club. Website: www.camaro-firebird.org