General => Lounge => Automotive News & Fuel/Energy debate/discussion => Topic started by: EricCoolCats on March 04, 2009, 04:22:27 PM
Title: Holy Shnikees...New T/A!?
Post by: EricCoolCats on March 04, 2009, 04:22:27 PM
This week on AutoExtremist.com (http://"http://www.autoextremist.com/"), a possible 2011 Pontiac Trans Am reveal seemingly out of the blue:
Quote from: AutoExtremist
This concept - obviously based on the new Camaro and designed by David Byron of ASC Creative Services - was actually “on the table” for GM honchos to consider last summer when ASC was still intimately involved in a lot of advanced projects for the company. But the involvement (and money) dried up, and the idea of resurrecting the Firebird Trans Am was dead in the water. Until now.
If Pontiac is going to exist, then it needs this car. And the beauty of it is that at least initially the assembly of a Firebird Trans Am just like this would be a no-brainer, cost wise. We’re talking a new front fascia (including head lamps, grille inserts and fog lights); a hood with rear-facing shaker cold air intake (of course); a new rear fascia with specific tail lamps; a rear spoiler and dual exhausts; specific rocker panels with additional fender/skirt trim; specific color availability, custom alloy wheels and all the appropriate Pontiac, Firebird and Trans Am identification; and on the inside specific seats, steering wheel, I/P cluster, door insert trim and shifter. In other words, a no-brainer to put together.
Title: Holy Shnikees...New T/A!?
Post by: V8Demon on March 04, 2009, 04:29:09 PM
Pontiac will not build that.....
The front end is entirely too nice looking for their current design team.
I call BS :hick:
Title: Holy Shnikees...New T/A!?
Post by: jpc647 on March 04, 2009, 04:31:43 PM
Quote from: V8Demon;259518
Pontiac will not build that.....
The front end is entirely too nice looking for their current design team.
I call BS :hick:
Agreed!
Title: Holy Shnikees...New T/A!?
Post by: shame302 on March 04, 2009, 05:40:43 PM
Ew.
i cant see it in production either.
Title: Holy Shnikees...New T/A!?
Post by: FLSTCI71 on March 04, 2009, 05:54:45 PM
It's not too bad looking. It's no Mustang, but not too bad for a GM.
Title: Holy Shnikees...New T/A!?
Post by: 86XR7project on March 04, 2009, 05:59:15 PM
Looks like a Camaro Photoshopped
Title: Holy Shnikees...New T/A!?
Post by: pegasus on March 04, 2009, 06:07:46 PM
isnt pon on the chopping block??
Title: Holy Shnikees...New T/A!?
Post by: cougarman on March 04, 2009, 06:25:23 PM
:spit: :screwy: :shoothead :toilet: :barf: :barf: Just my opinion mind you...lol.
Title: Holy Shnikees...New T/A!?
Post by: ZondaC12 on March 04, 2009, 06:59:18 PM
I'd LOVE to see that, looks awesome....but that aint happenin. :rollin: :(
Title: Holy Shnikees...New T/A!?
Post by: blu84302 on March 04, 2009, 07:19:22 PM
What happened to no new performance cars? I'd consider this one.
Title: Holy Shnikees...New T/A!?
Post by: DVP on March 04, 2009, 07:27:11 PM
By the time it came into production the front would be all slanted back, and it will look like the G8
Title: Holy Shnikees...New T/A!?
Post by: Thunder Chicken on March 04, 2009, 08:03:22 PM
Very obvious it's a photoshop. I like the looks of it, though (I've always had a soft spot in my heart for Firebirds).
Unfortunately when you combine upcoming 35MPG fuel economy standards, volatile gas prices, and GM's bleak outlook (especially concerning Pontiac) I would put the likelyhood of this car ever seeing the road at about zero.
Title: Holy Shnikees...New T/A!?
Post by: oldraven on March 05, 2009, 06:20:40 AM
The Pontiac Division will soon cease to exist. This isn't happening. They don't even know if there will still be a G8 a three or four years time. It looks great, but so did other photoshopped Firebirds I've seen based on the new Camaro. This is the way all new projects for Pontiac will come about, though. Developed by other divisions, converted or completely restyled by Buick's team of designers. No more literal Pontiac projects anymore.
In my opinion, this would be a really bad move for GM. If the Firebird/Trans-Am were to come back, Pontiac needs to have a modern design, not retro. The Camaro already fills that slot. Making a Trans-Am now would steal half of the Camaro's sales and also make GM even more of a joke for not coming up with a new design. Retro Cues, sure, but not a retro body design.
Title: Holy Shnikees...New T/A!?
Post by: Haystack on March 05, 2009, 09:53:55 AM
there are no turn signals on the front.
Title: Holy Shnikees...New T/A!?
Post by: 86XR7project on March 05, 2009, 09:57:11 AM
As of yesterday in Motor Trend, they were saying that GM guys will be lucky if GM even gives the go ahead for the Z/28. This car is fiction and will obviously never come out of GM looking THAT good they'd hack it up. DVP is 100% right, they botch it up so bad it'd look like a Grand Prix like the GTO did.
Title: Holy Shnikees...New T/A!?
Post by: EricCoolCats on March 05, 2009, 10:10:41 AM
Quote
there are no turn signals on the front.
Those may not be fog lamps on the prototype. The turn signals were down lower on the 1970-73 models:
Besides, the inner "headlights" of the new Challenger are turn signals. There's some deception going on, for sure.
Keep in mind that GM did not design this prototype. It was solely the work of ASC...the same company that designed the McLaren Mustang convertible and another car you may have heard of, the 1993 Mustang Cobra. So yeah, they have the track record to pull this off.
The key is that it's a GM outsource. Offloading the work to a private vendor will ensure that GM's designers don't meddle too much in the final product. All GM has to do is approve it; the work then falls to ASC to build them. Simple.
As long as it gets the funding, that is.
And for the record, I don't believe there is a lot of Photoshop going on with those photos. Especially in the first and third photos; that's surely a real car to me. Maybe the front end was Photoshopped on but there is a real car somewhere in there. I guess since AutoExtremist seems to have an exclusive lock on the photos, we'll have to wait and see when some higher-res or newer photos of this car leak on the 'net.
Title: Holy Shnikees...New T/A!?
Post by: ZondaC12 on March 05, 2009, 10:17:24 AM
Quote from: EricCoolCats;259672
Those may not be fog lamps on the prototype. The turn signals were down lower on the 1970-73 models:
Ugh God I have GOT to have one of those someday lol. Doesnt need to be the super ultra sd 455 or something, but I want that front end and the ground effects. What a gorgeous machine. :bowdown:
Title: Holy Shnikees...New T/A!?
Post by: 86XR7project on March 05, 2009, 10:19:23 AM
I don't know Eric I just can't see this faring well for this car. but basically ASC will take new Camaros cut em up to make this car and call it a Pontiac? I've seen ASC Mustangs but I just couldn't justify the extra money for one of these. It will be overpriced for what you get so someone can make a profit. Just my opinion.
Title: Holy Shnikees...New T/A!?
Post by: oldraven on March 05, 2009, 10:46:45 AM
Quote from: EricCoolCats;259672
Keep in mind that GM did not design this prototype. It was solely the work of ASC...the same company that designed the McLaren Mustang convertible and another car you may have heard of, the 1993 Mustang Cobra.
Then ASC should line up a supplier and sell converted Camaros. That is a photoshop, Eric. The photo they started with was a photo of the 2010 Camaro. Everything Pontiac was done with a 'brush'.
Title: Holy Shnikees...New T/A!?
Post by: EricCoolCats on March 05, 2009, 10:57:38 AM
Well...it's just a pipe dream for now. If GM has any balls left they'll consider it--if it's feasible by any stretch.
Zonda: my brother has the same car in that photo: 1973, non-SD 455 auto. He's resto-modding it as we speak. It is currently getting retrofitted with prototype parts and will likely be the car used in the advertising of the parts (power steering rack and system). And it should also get a free trip to SEMA in the fall, if it's all put together by then.
Photos of the parts here: http://transamcountry.com/community/index.php?topic=20523.0
He also owns a 1980 Firebird wrapped in T/A parts, no chicken on the hood, 1976 Ford blood red with gold striping, 301 4-speed. And he has a red 1997 WS6 Ram-Air, red 6-speed, with 1600 miles on the ticker.
When he and I were kids, it was the late 1970s and Firebirds and Camaros were everywhere. I mean, you couldn't drive 5 minutes without seeing one somewhere. We actually used to count them to pass the time (actually, we only counted the Firebirds LOL). We were also into model cars and bought every variation of the MPC and Monogram kits with our allowance money. I learned to get my hand skills refined with the paint brush on those things. Oddly, our folks never tooks us to see "Smokey & The Bandit". :)
So when I was first staring to drive, my folks talked about the cars they'd like to get for me. Their first pick was a Monte Carlo (and truth be told, I'd have been very happy with one). But second pick was a neighbor's 1981 T/A 6.6 that was for sale, black with gold bird and striping, and black interior. That car would have been frickin' sweet to own. It was pure evil. Fortunately mom read too much and discovered the Consumer Reports(wait a minute...sit down for this...) actually rated the Cougar and T-Bird higher than the 4 GM G-bodies and (GASP!)recommended them based on feedback and quality.
Consumer Reports recommends an American car?! It must have been the 1980s!
So we got my first Cougar and the rest is history. But obviously the love of the Firebird still flows in my blood, and for my brother it's even more of a passion. I don't know if I'd ever actually own one now but I can live vicariously through my brother so that is a great thing. Their ride sucks, the interior is too tight for my body, and the plastics smell like 1973. But GD they sound incredible.
Title: Holy Shnikees...New T/A!?
Post by: DVP on March 05, 2009, 11:13:23 AM
Quote from: oldraven;259648
In my opinion, this would be a really bad move for GM. If the Firebird/Trans-Am were to come back, Pontiac needs to have a modern design, not retro. The Camaro already fills that slot. Making a Trans-Am now would steal half of the Camaro's sales
Good thing Ford screwed us huh? LOL
Eric, it looks too fake to me. I think that they started with a Camaro render, then made everything else. Really dont think there was a real car anywhere. Could be just the way I am seeing it
Title: Holy Shnikees...New T/A!?
Post by: oldraven on March 05, 2009, 11:59:02 AM
I think you mean render. Animation means something that is.... animated. ;)
Title: Holy Shnikees...New T/A!?
Post by: DVP on March 05, 2009, 12:10:24 PM
Quote from: oldraven;259692
I think you mean render. Animation means something that is.... animated. ;)
That is what I was looking for
Title: Holy Shnikees...New T/A!?
Post by: EricCoolCats on November 02, 2009, 09:43:06 AM
Back from the abyss...
Heh. All you naysayers, tryin' to pee on my parade...whatcha got now, huh?!?! http://www.caranddriver.com/news/car/09q4/lingenfelter_455_t_a_concept-auto_shows
Title: Holy Shnikees...New T/A!?
Post by: HAVI on November 02, 2009, 09:54:41 AM
Part of me says I wish Pontiac would have stayed and Chevrolet gone away. ;)
Title: Holy Shnikees...New T/A!?
Post by: FLSTCI71 on November 02, 2009, 09:56:56 AM
Everyone has their own opinion, but.... wow, that is one of the ugliest front ends I have ever seen. And the side view looks like a refrigerator with mirrors and ugly wheels on it. It actually makes my Edsel look cool. I expect some Pontiac die hards will like it, but they will not win people over from other camps like the Mustang did.
Title: Holy Shnikees...New T/A!?
Post by: V8Demon on November 02, 2009, 11:27:46 AM
Quote from: EricCoolCats;297292
Back from the abyss...
Heh. All you naysayers, tryin' to pee on my parade...whatcha got now, huh?!?! http://www.caranddriver.com/news/car/09q4/lingenfelter_455_t_a_concept-auto_shows Yeah...that's what I thought...
Title: Holy Shnikees...New T/A!?
Post by: 86Tbuzzard on November 02, 2009, 03:46:52 PM
lol car should have a sticker on the back that says WIDE LOAD. ugly just ugly.
Title: Holy Shnikees...New T/A!?
Post by: Chooglin on November 02, 2009, 03:48:42 PM
Quote from: pegasus;259537
isnt pon on the chopping block??
x2?
Title: Holy Shnikees...New T/A!?
Post by: 50tbrd88 on November 02, 2009, 04:20:48 PM
I bet that sucker will be EXPENSIVE as all get out!!!
Title: Holy Shnikees...New T/A!?
Post by: ~AC on November 02, 2009, 07:19:09 PM
you know those concept cars that look like they could be put into production and then you never hear about them again once the buzz settles. thats what one of these are. that white CAMARO looks like it had a lot of fiberglass work from an aftermarket company. ibet you my bank thats just a gm assembly line camaro under all of that
Title: Holy Shnikees...New T/A!?
Post by: 20th anny 5.o on November 02, 2009, 07:34:38 PM
Quote
Given Pontiac’s demise, it’s clear there won’t be any factory-baked Pontiac Trans-Am coming from General Motors. Enter the aftermarket, which has become suddenly eager to serve buyers wanting a new-school T/A. Indeed, joining the conversion kit offered by Phoenix is this Lingenfelter take on turning your brand-new Camaro SS into the modern Trans-Am of your dreams. The concept debuts in the metal at this year’s SEMA show in Las Vegas.
Fugly
Title: Holy Shnikees...New T/A!?
Post by: Old_Paint on November 02, 2009, 09:21:45 PM
Quote from: ~AC;297357
you know those concept cars that look like they could be put into production and then you never hear about them again once the buzz settles. thats what one of these are. that white CAMARO looks like it had a lot of fiberglass work from an aftermarket company. ibet you my bank thats just a gm assembly line camaro under all of that
If you read the article that Eric tagged, it IS a Camaro. This thing is little more than an aftermarket Pontiac wannabe that is very customized by ummm, ummm, can't remember the name now. It musta made a big impression on me, eh? It's just a way for the die-hard Pontiac fans to keep having their dreams. And expensive is a good word, but I'm not so sure it captures the real meaning. Stuck all the way in and broke off is a better description of the price tag on that thing. It's ALL aftermarket, except the sheet metal on the sides. Says so right in the C&D article.
Title: Holy Shnikees...New T/A!?
Post by: Beau on November 03, 2009, 02:25:28 AM
Without spending a million on new sheetmetal dies, where else are they gonna get a body besides the new aro?
Just like the old days...
Where does it say it's straight-up Poncho?
With that said, the ass looks like it was designed by a 9 year old with ADD. It's too wide, too tall, and the taillights look like they're off of a tractor or something. (http://www.caranddriver.com/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/news/car/09q4/lingenfelter_455_t_a_concept-auto_shows/gallery/lingenfelter_455_t_2fa_concept_photo_1/2963416-1-eng-US/lingenfelter_455_t_a_concept_1_cd_gallery.jpg)
2-stripe tails, would look better if it were three. I just ain't feelin' this one. Fail.
The render in the first post(s) looked much better IMO.
Sorry, but that design sure as hell won't entice me any. For that matter, neither Mustang nor Camaro would, as well.
Challenger? yeah, I'd hit that!
Title: Holy Shnikees...New T/A!?
Post by: shame302 on November 03, 2009, 11:29:16 AM
Yep...still UGMO...good god, and still not in production HA
I don't car if it runs 10's stock either. To me, its just like that dude at the drag strip with the beat up half primered up civic running 12's. I still would not be caught dead driving one.
Title: Holy Shnikees...New T/A!?
Post by: 20th anny 5.o on November 03, 2009, 05:22:55 PM
Quote from: FordTruckFreeek;297407
The render in the first post(s) looked much better IMO.
Yes the render looked quite shagy, I actually liked it.
Title: Holy Shnikees...New T/A!?
Post by: Haystack on November 03, 2009, 06:05:42 PM
still aren't any turn signals. it looks like they took all the bad off a two door dodge charger and made it worse, then through a "pontiac" front end on it.
Title: Holy Shnikees...New T/A!?
Post by: EricCoolCats on November 04, 2009, 12:22:09 PM
Aight, all you negative bastiges...
Maybe the Lingenfelter version is a little awkward looking.
But the Phoenix T/A sure as hell isn't.
Two words: Screaming. Chicken. http://jalopnik.com/5396483/bandit-trans-am-builds-excitement-in-our-pants
Title: Holy Shnikees...New T/A!?
Post by: V8Demon on November 04, 2009, 12:59:45 PM
Now [SIZE="7"]THAT[/SIZE] is hot (http://www.listangs.com/forum/images/smilies/hitit.gif)
Title: Holy Shnikees...New T/A!?
Post by: Haystack on November 04, 2009, 01:49:07 PM
Still doesn't quite do it for me, but it definitely looks alot better.
Title: Holy Shnikees...New T/A!?
Post by: thunderjet302 on November 04, 2009, 02:36:01 PM
Meh;)
Title: Holy Shnikees...New T/A!?
Post by: shame302 on November 04, 2009, 03:22:10 PM
Yep, much better but still doesn't get me all torqued up.....
Title: Holy Shnikees...New T/A!?
Post by: 50tbrd88 on November 05, 2009, 12:58:25 PM
Now THAT is freaking shagy. I like it better than the styling on the Camaro (even though it essentially is a Camaro).
Title: Holy Shnikees...New T/A!?
Post by: 20th anny 5.o on November 05, 2009, 04:39:45 PM
Meh thats even worse because it just looks like the car i already think is hideous (The Camaro).
Title: Holy Shnikees...New T/A!?
Post by: BlackCardinal on November 05, 2009, 04:47:35 PM
The Bandit T/A isn't half bad, but the Lingenfelter, to me, it looks like they tried entirely TOO HARD to make it look like the 2nd gen! You know what I mean?
Title: Holy Shnikees...New T/A!?
Post by: Old_Paint on November 05, 2009, 10:45:39 PM
If we're gonna resuscitate a Pontiac sport model, why not a Goat? Oh yeah, we did that recently, didn't we? GM brought the Holden Monaro from Australia, and called it a Pontiac GTO. I was in Oz when it was announced that the Monaro was to be sold in the states but marketed under the Pontiac brand. Having already seen some of the car down there, I was pretty stoked about it, but then, GM got greedy, and priced it out of everyone's reach. If there was a GM product that worried Ford, it was the Holden Monaro. That's the car to beat in Oz, and Ford's havin a tough time catching it downunder.
Title: Holy Shnikees...New T/A!?
Post by: DVP on November 06, 2009, 03:17:25 AM
Quote from: 50tbrd88;297704
now that is freaking shagy. I like it better than the styling on the camaro (even though it essentially is a camaro).
x2
Title: Holy Shnikees...New T/A!?
Post by: Beau on November 06, 2009, 03:40:45 AM
Now we're talkin! Pontiac shoulda built something along that line instead of importing that wannabe GTO...thing.
Had they done THAT, with a 2-3 different packages, engines, and the like, priced 'em decently....well, my opinion is that they'd sell several. I'd take one, keep the super, gimme the LS, 6 speed, and knock off about 30 grand...hmmmm, will they take a check? :rollin: