The automotive world is not short of American muscle cars. History is peppered with big V8-engined rear-wheel-drive cars that are styled to please the inner muscle head that lurks within any gearhead. One American muscle car that has stood the test of time, despite its short and in some ways tragic life, is the 1969 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am.

Built to dominate more than just the roads, the Firebird Trans Am outperformed the best muscle car of its time, rocketing it to legendary status even back in 1969. You'd be hard-pressed to find someone who does not take to the Firebird Trans Am. It is difficult to suppress the surge of endorphins that fill your body when you lay eyes on the bold, unbridled design of the American muscle car icon. So turn up the AC, kick back on the classic comfort couch, and let's start the journey of what gives the 1969 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am its iconic muscle car status.

10 The 1969 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am Is The First To Offer The Trans Am package

White 1969 Pontiac Trans Am Ram Air IV parked
Mecum Auctions

The Trans Am racing series had amassed a huge following for the '60s and was the pinnacle of American motorsport. Pontiac then decided to dedicate a variant of the 1969 Pontiac Firebird after the race series, but it was not just a namesake publicity stunt. They beefed up the suspension and dropped in a larger-than-standard 400-cubic inch V8 engine for more ponies. The package also included several Trans Am-specific aesthetic enhancements, but it was the Pontiac's success at the Trans Am racing series that makes it the iconic model to this day.

9 The 1969 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am Dethroned the Pontiac GTO

White 1969 Pontiac Trans Am
Via Mecum Auto Auctions

Up until the late '60s, the Pontiac GTO was the daddy of muscle cars. That title was soon taken by Pontiac's very own 69' Firebird Trans Am. Sold with a larger engine and significantly more potent handling characteristics, the 1969 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am could run rings around the GTO.

While the 400-cubic inch V8 in the GTO produced more power than the Trans Am, the latter was far more agile in the corners. With track racing growing in popularity at the time, the 1969 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am quickly cast a shadow over the GTO.

RELATED: These Are The 10 Coolest Special Edition Pontiac Firebirds Editions Ever Made

8 The 1969 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am Had A Unique Exterior Styling

1969 Pontiac Trans Am 1
via Drive Tribe

A flagship variant deserves unique styling. Especially when it carries the name Trans Am. To help the 1969 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am stand out, it was sold with eye-catching decals, painted in a combination of white and blue. Pre-dating the "Screaming Chicken" design, the first Pontiac Trans Am evolved from a more subtle approach.

Two blue racing stripes ran for the hood scoops to the red bumper where they would join a blue rear end. As much as it's been copied by non-original Trans Am Pontiacs, the styling remains to be an iconic feature of the American classic.

7 The 1969 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am Was John Delorean's Baby

Pontiac Is The Marque That Kickstarted The Muscle Car War
via MecumAuctions

Part of John Delorean's elaborate effort to rebrand the Pontiac image was the Firebird Trans Am. He caught on to the popularity of track-oriented performance cars and dispatched a team of engineers to create his vision of an exciting and capable muscle car.

John was extremely involved in the process of the Trans Am and as chief engineer of the project, he channeled his automotive passion into the Trans Am package, making it more than just another model, but the identity of Pontiac.

RELATED: The Real Story Of How John Delorean Started The Ever Long Muscle Car War In America

6 Only 689 1969 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am's Were Built

1969 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am
via rmsothbeys.com

A hallmark feature of any iconic car is its rarity. It's no surprise then that the 1969 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am ascends to icon status given that only 689 units were ever made. The low production numbers make it an ultra-rare muscle car that everyone wants in today's day and age. Enthusiasts and especially collectors are willing to pay a premium for the historical mark the 1969 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am leaves. It is also a massive flex to have an original over the many fakes out there.

5 The 1969 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am Had A Powerful V8 Engine

Pontiac Trans Am Ram Air IV
Via: HotRod

400-cubic inch V8, or 6.6-liters for those who don't speak muscle car, lived under the hood of the 1969 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am. Typically, it would produce 335 hp and great low-end torque but its widely understood that these power figures were understated.

Despite having the same displacement as the regular Firebird, the Trans Am engine received a dual exhaust system along with other performance enhancements like different carburetors and camshafts. Put together, the 1969 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am was a thundering beast that provided superb power, balance, and thrill.

4 The 1969 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am Had Superior Handling

a convertible pontiact trans am rear
Via: HotRod

Built for the Trans Am racing series, the 1969 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am needed to be agile. And with several chassis and handling modifications, it was just that. Starting with the suspensions, the top-range model received stiffer springs, performance shocks, and a thicker sway bar.

It also received a quicker steering ratio and larger front brakes, truly setting it apart from the regular Firebird. Combined, these modifications made the Trans Am a wonderful street racer that elevated its status from just a muscle car to a proper driver's machine.

RELATED: Pontiac Trans Am and 9 Other Badass '70s Muscle Cars

3 The 1969 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am Was Successful In SCCA Racing

1969 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am Racing
Pontiac

The 1969 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am has racing in its DNA. It was built for that purpose and in its years of competition, it proved to be a worthy rival. Taking the fight to other rare limited edition muscle cars like the Ford Mustang GT350R, the Fire Bird Trans Am was right in the mix, rubbing doors with its rivals, clinching many victories and podiums throughout the '60s and early '70s. Its strong race foundation was proved with back-to-back championship wins in 1969 and 1970.

2 The 1969 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am Had Functional Bodywork

1969 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am White
Pontiac

While most cars of the time only featured extravagant bodywork to make an impression, the 1969 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am has true function to its form. Leading up front was the twin front grille and new twin scoop hood that fed fresh cold air to the V8s intake and helped with cooling.

Around the back there was a rear deck spoiler that reduced drag and added downforce to the rear of the Trans Am, helping to add stability in high-speed corners. The functional bodywork is a testament to the commitment the team of engineers had for this project during an era when aerodynamics was still rare in production cars.

1 The 1969 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am Was Rare, Stylish, and Fast

1969 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am White
Pontiac

Design is subjective, but we find it hard to believe that anyone will take a look at the 1969 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am and not fight back the urge to go "WOW". Its design fits the ethos of a true American muscle car icon. Dominating front end, swooping roofline, and a squared-off rear end. Throw in rarity and credible outright performance into the mix and the Firebird Trans Am's iconic legacy is sealed. Not only did it break the mold for road-going muscle cars, but it also founded the Trans Am lineage that creates some of the sickest Pontiac Trans Ams in the years to come.