When you think of the Pontiac Firebird Trans Am, the first car that jumps to mind, is K.I.T.T., the sentient ride from and of Knight Rider. Probably the only time people lusted more for the car, than for The Hoff.
But YouTube channel ThatDudeinBlue might make you change your opinion as he speaks about a special car – the 1989 Pontiac Turbo Trans Am, which had a radically different engine. Here’s the low down on this special edition Trans Am that makes us want to bring Pontiac back. General Motors, you listening?
The Pontiac Firebird Turbo Trans Am Is A Special Ride
Not many know about this single-year 20th-anniversary special edition Trans Am. It looked like just another Trans Am, although with distinct 20th-anniversary and Turbo badges. Unlike the normal V8 that went under the hood of the Trans Am, this one bore a Turbo V6, the same that also went into the Buick GNX, and we all know how fast that car could go. Only 1,555 of these special Trans Ams were ever made.
David Patterson, the guy behind the YouTube channel, takes the car for a drive, to see how different it was from the other Trans Ams and cars of its time. Patterson feels it’s interesting to see how, even in 1989, the automotive industry was experimenting with different power plants, and how the Turbo Trans Am was way ahead of its era.
This Is Why The Turbo Trans Am Is Spectacular
The particular car that Patterson is driving was an Indy 500 pace car, and he says, “believe it or not, this car was a barn find.” Probably the reason why the interiors are in impeccable condition with original leather seats and dash.
Patterson says the white paint with a T-top looks stunning, and we have to agree. The single-spoke steering wheel is full of buttons and Patterson says that the car gives a very DMC DeLorean time machine feel, replete with a D-Pad on the center console that has window controls and more.
The car officially made 301 horses, but that was GM’s way of making sure it did not take away the spotlight from the Buick GNX. Patterson says what’s spectacular about this car is that in 1989, it ran a quarter-mile in 13.4s, at 101 mph top speed. Its 0-60 mph sprint was an insane 4.8 seconds, comparable to a 2005 Mustang GT, tuned.
Overall, this rare Pontiac Firebird Turbo Trans Am is a rare gem, one that not many are aware of, but worth way more than the $50,000 it’s offered for.
Sources: YouTube, CarsForSale