Brand New Trans Am "Smokey and The Bandit" Car

Update 12/2020

"Smokey and The Bandit" Trans Am

Well, as everyone excepted, the "Smokey and The Bandit" Trans Am was going to sell out fast, and that's exactly what it did. But with the Pandemic and the holidays on the horizon, keeping your eyes open for one on sale is a good idea.  In fact, this December, I've come across a couple of them for sale. I can't say rather or not they're priced to move, but they are for sale and they're collector items.  

There are some imposters out there, so to be on the safe side, take the VIN# down and call transamdepo.com to make sure that it is an official (1-of-77 Trans Am Smokey and The Bandit Special Edition cars). There is a big difference, one that could leave you on the losing side of a car transaction.

Update 2018

 

Trans Am Worldwide is announcing that they will be producing 77 Trans Am Bandit Sports Cars signed and certified by the man himself, Burt Reynolds. The reason for the off-beat number being built of 77 represents the year the movie "Smokey and the Bandit" came out in theaters (1977), and it represents the year Trans Am that was used for the movie. 

With 800+ horsepower, these Trans Ams are sure to be a little bit more fun to drive than the ones that were raced around in the movies. Probably more expensive and harder to get your hands on as well, but if you do, this would definitely be a collector car.

6/7/13

 

Trans Am-Firebird

There is a lot of talk about if GM will ever come back with a Trans Am or a Firebird, but that is just what it is, talk. If GM does decide to bring it back, there would be a lot of car enthusiasts very happy with their decision. If they are planning on making this type of move, they are defiantly keeping a very tight lip on what they're going to do and when.

There is one fact that has been made very clear by GM. If they do bring back the Trans Am and Firebird, they will not be bringing back the Pontiac brand. All production would be under the authority of GM and the Pontiac name would not even be used for the Trans Am campaign. One last thing that is pretty well-known about the situation is that they would probably be produced in the same factories as the Camaros and would be sold at Chevrolet dealerships where Camaros are sold. 

Build Your Own Trans Am/Firebird

If you're someone who does not want to wait for GM's decision and you must have one no matter what, there are alternatives. Companies like Trans Am Worldwide build authentic-awesome-looking prototypes of Trans Ams, Firebirds, Hurst, and Firehawks that can be customized personally and purchased by private owners.

The process is really cool! Brand new Camaros are purchased, then ground effects, bumpers, spoilers, customer interiors, and whatever else that needs to be replaced are replaced with prototype parts for the unique styling that replicates what a new Trans Am would probably look like if GM was to start making them again. The nice thing about these projects is that they're made from new Camaros, which should be enough to ensure that these Trans Ams are built American Motor tough.

1968 COPO Camaro Z28 Convertible: The Rarest Camaro Built

Rarest Camaro Every Built

1968 COPO Camaro Z28 Convertible

This 1968 Z28 convertible was a signal ordered (1-of-1) COPO Camaro built specially for Chevrolet’s General Manager Elliott "Pete" Estes.

1967 was the first year Camaro made its debut in the auto industry market. In '67, Chevrolet only built RS and SS Camaros for driving purposes and built Z28 Camaros for the SCCA Racing Circuit. The Z28s were not cars you could buy at the dealership or drive legally on the streets.

Vince Piggins, Chevrolet's Manager of Product Performance at the time was ready to change that for '68, but the only way he could get the Z28 into regular production as a street-legal car was to get Estes approval.

So Piggins plan was to give Estes a Z28 to drive with hopes he would fall in love with it. The only problem was Z28s were only designed as hard-tops and Estes only drove convertibles. Piggins knew if he gave Estes a hardtop to drive, he would park the Camaro in a company garage where it would sit until someone else moved it.

Piggins decided to fix that problem by rolling the dice and building Estes a convertible 1968 Camaro Z28, the only 1968 Z28 convertible that would ever be built. The gamble paid off. Estes drove the Camaro as a daily driver and loved it, in fact, he loved it so much he gave the go-ahead for a full line of regular production Z28s for 1968.

Where is the 1-of-1 1968 Z28 Convertible Now?

After Estes sold the Camaro in December of '67, this beautiful rare Camaro was not really known to the public as it spent more than 20 years being sold back-and-forth to front office GM employees. But in 1991, the Camaro made it to a public auction and at that time became the highest selling muscle car of all-time with the hammer dropping at $172,000.

Unfortunately for the buyer, Al Maynard, when the purchase was made, he realized all of the Z28 special parts had been removed and the Camaro was put back to RS trim. But Maynard had a plan for that, he bought another Camaro equipped with everything that originally came with the Z28 back in '68 and put the car back to its original being.

Maynard said, "This is the Pete Estes car! It has all the original sheet metal with absolutely nothing out of place. Everything is date coded correctly, and every piece is absolutely correct. It is the only one in the world." This Camaro is truly a gem and in today's standard, if a Camaro like this rolled across the Barrett-Jackson Auction block it could possibly fetch about a million maybe more.

Special Parts:

• Folding Rear Seat
• Auxiliary Console-Mounted Instruments
• Auxiliary Lighting
• Power Windows
• Remote Outside Mirrors
• Custom Seat Belts
• Positraction
• 1969 Prototype Fiberglass Hood
• Cross Ram Air Hood
• Coated Factory Headers
• Performance Suspension Package
• Four-Wheel Disc Brakes
• Blue Light Stereo Radio

It’s always a good thing when a piece of car history ends up in the hands of someone who knows what it is and appreciates it the way it should be appreciated. Hopefully this COPO 1968 Camaro Z28 convertible sticks around for many generations to come.

Rich With Words

1957 Chevy: Bringing A New Style To The Automotive Company

How Did the 1957 Chevy Come About?

It starts with Chevy's need for change. For the first time since 1918, the car company was willing to offer a V8 in its 1955 version, and with that V8, Chevy thought it would be a good time to get rid of the shoe-box look that they were recently using and try something different. 

Chevrolet Chief Designer, Ed Cole, wanted to get rid of the shoe-box look by 1956 and have a whole new look for 1957. Unfortunately, things didn't go as planned, the new look never launched and they would have to make do with the shoe-box style for one more year, but with big changes.

To help differentiate the '57 from '55 and '56, Chevy decided to make some changes. And to handle those changes, the task was handed over to Harley J. Earl. Earl had already had huge styling successes under his belt that not only worked out for GM, but also influenced the automotive world as a whole. 

These changes would be widely ridiculed by Earl's co-workers, automotive experts, and anyone and everyone who just couldn't see his vision the way he did. 

'57 Chevy Dramatic Transformation

Some of the changes were: A new dashboard, a reshaped windshield, sealed cowl, and 15-inch rims to replace the 16-inch rims. Also, Chevy designers relocated the air-ducts to the headlights, which gave the car the big distinctive chrome look in the front. And then Earl added the iconic quarter-panel fins to the rear to help make the Chevy six inches longer, ultimately giving the Chevy the lowered look that everyone recognizes today.

Other intriguing things that were new with the '57 were a lighter front-end, a bigger engine bay, and new drivetrain options that included a fuel-injection system and a three-speed Hydra-Matic transmission. A dual exhaust was offered with all V8 options for a little more horsepower but more so for the cool sound that it would give the Chevy. 

In commercials, magazine ads, and on billboards, the Chevy motto was always the same: "Chevy Puts The Purr Back Into Performance."

A 1957 Chevrolet Coupe And Convertible For Everyone

Different trim options helped make the car more affordable for the average family and classy enough for those who wanted the feel of something a little more luxurious.

Trim Models Were As Followed:

Base: 150 Series

Base: 210 Series
Del Ray: 210 Series
Base: Bel Air
Convertible: Bel Air
Nomad: Bel Air (station wagon)
El Morocco: custom hand-built to mimic a Cadillac

Each version was available in a two-door or four-door body style. The base "150" series with an in-line six was not only priced very well for consumers on a budget but also did very well when it came to gas mileage compared to the V8s. 

As you went up in models, you went up in comfort and class and, of course, in price. The Bel Air and Bel Air convertible was the most popular and expensive models, and in today's market, it is the most wanted by all collectors and car enthusiast alike, even if you're not a Chevy fan, you've probably wished you had a '57 at one point or another.

Option Up

Each version had options that could be ordered up to make the car more comfortable and luxurious. Some of those options were air-conditioning, power brakes, power steering, a padded dashboard, power windows, and power seats were all available and offered as options on most all trim models. 

Also, a signal-seeking radio with a power antenna could be purchased along with a separate speaker that could be placed in the back, and at that time, that's what automotive companies called surround sound. The "automatic-eye" was another new option. The automatic-eye was attached to your dashboard and could detect on-coming traffic and dim your headlights automatically, high-tech for 1957.

One of the things that played a part in making the '57 Chevy so desirable was the bigger engine bay it came with. This was important because it made room for the big-block engines that Chevy was making for racing at the time. As drag racing became more popular and going fast was the thing to do, having a '57 Chevy that could accept Chevy's big-block engines with virtually no fabrication required was a huge plus to the go-fast racing enthusiast.

Even without the big blocks, you could still make plenty of power by opting for what Chevy called the Power-Pack (283 cubic inch engine with solid lifters, a 4 barrel carb, and dual exhaust), which would make 275 horsepower right off the showroom floor. 

Although the 283 cubic inch motor would make 283-hp with fuel injection, that option was often overlooked by consumers at the time because very few people knew how to work on fuel injection setups. Even mechanics were having problems working on the new fuel-injection system. So, if you were buying the car to modify it and or race it, the Power-Pack option was a much smarter way to go.

The odd thing about these desirable collector cars is that in 1957 the sales of Ford's '57 model ended up out-selling the Chevy. Maybe it was the 1957 Chevy's bold chrome front-end or the rear-fins that threw consumers off. Maybe it was the introduction of the fuel injection and the 3-speed Hydra-Matic transmission - both of which consumers were skeptical about. Whatever the case was, by the time the '80s rolled around, these were considered one of the most, if not the most, collectible cars around.

Worth Every Penny
Nowadays, a meticulously restored '57 Chevy Bel-Air can go for around $100,000.00 or more, and a seller could catch even more for a convertible in the same condition. But if you are thinking about buying one, you will want to be careful and maybe even seek some professional help before doing so. There are a lot of replicas out there, and it can be very easy to be fooled.

"American Graffiti": The Best Car Cruising Movie Ever

This movie emulates a great time in car history. 

Cruising, Racing, Music -- great cars that ended up becoming some of the most wanted cars by American car collectors today. "Wolfman Jack" has his part in the movie, along with many other actors that went on to have well-rounded acting careers. The movie takes place in a more light-hearted time. 

I was much to young to remember that time, but me and a lot of other car guys did have a place to cruise right outside of Detroit -- on Telegraph rd. Unfortunately, the fun of that was short-lived. The fun it created on Fri. and Sat. night probably went on for quite a long time before I got my first cruiser, '71 Skylark (455). The fun died out when younger kids were starting to drive their Mommy and Daddy's funded Rice Burners around. The movie "Fast and the Furious" just came out (a poor representation of the drag race world) and everyone who had a wing on the back of their Honda Civic thought they could fly. 

Drunk Driving, illegal racing for money, car accidents, crotch rocket motorcycles too fast for their own good etc. etc. left authorities no choice but to police the situation.

Even the days of having fun at the world-famous "Woodward Dream Cruise" has became a thing of the past. Miles and miles of traffic that moves about 3 mph when it's not totally stopped, the street is flooded with 90% of the cars being the same cars you see on your way back-and-forth to work everyday and advertisements is the main reason for the event. 

Unfortunately, the last time I was at the cruise spot, I was arrested, along with 250 other people who all received tickets for loitering. My Camaro was towed to a place down in Detroit, and that cost me a lot to get out. The only fun thing about that night was when it came time for all 250 pissed off people to show up in court, I believe authorities may have thought, maybe this was not such a good ideal.

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2018 Trans Am and Firebird Speculations

 

2018 Trans Am-Firebird

There is a lot of fluff about if GM will ever come back with a Trans Am or a Firebird, but that is just what it is, fluff. If GM does decide to bring it back there would be a lot of car enthusiast very happy with their decision. But if they are planning on making this type of move, they are defiantly keeping a very tight lid on what they're going to do and when.


There is one fact that has been made very clear by GM. If they do bring back the Trans Am and Firebird, they will not be bringing back the Pontiac line. All production would be under the authority of GM and the Pontiac name would not even be used for the very well loved sports cars. One last thing that is pretty well-known about the situation is that they would probably be produced alongside if not in the same factories as the Camaros, and would be sold at Chevrolet dealerships where Camaros are sold.


Build Your Own Trans Am/Firebird

If you are someone who does not want to wait for GM's decision and you must have one, there is an alternative. Companies like Trans AM Depot and a few others that can be easily found on the Internet, build awesome looking prototypes of Trans Ams, Firebirds, Hurst and Firehawks that can be customized personally and purchased by private owners.


The process is really cool, brand new Camaros are purchased than ground effects, bumpers, spoilers interior and whatever else that needs to be replaced is replaced with prototype parts for the unique styling that replicas what a new Trans Am would probably look like if GM was to start making them again. The nice thing about these projects are that they're made from new Camaros, that should be enough to ensure that the cars that you will be purchasing are a great American Motor product.

Brand New Trans Am "Smokey and the Bandit" Car

"Smokey and The Bandit" Trans Am

Update Redirect http://www.gmpowerhouses.com/2020/12/brand-new-trans-am-smokey-and-bandit-car.html

Legend of the Chevelle

 

Redirect

http://www.gmpowerhouses.com/2021/08/legend-of-chevelle-quick-overview.html

Buick's Legendary Stage 1 GSX

For a lot of years, like most Buicks, the 1970-1972 Buick GS has been passed-over as a legitimate powerhouse, being mistakenly overshadowed by other GM cars sharing the same counterparts, like the GTO, Chevelle and 4-4-2. Buick always had that stereo type of the car your Grandmother takes back and forth to the grocery store.

However, in 1970, Buick wanted to put an end to that stereo type and in February, introduced the GSX, which put the Buick on par with Chevrolet's LS-6, Pontiac's Judge, and Oldsmobile's W-30. 

Dressed in yellow or white, with spoilers fore and aft and special emblems, much like the GTO Judge the year before, the Buick fit right in with the psychedelic look so popular at the time. However, what nestled beneath that sinister hood was an engine with the highest torque rating of any American car, until the Dodge Viper eclipsed it in 2003. In 1970, the Buick 455 produced 510-lb.ft. of torque at 2,800 rpm and 350hp at 4,600 rpm. The more powerful Stage 1 produced the same torque rating, but had 10 more horsepower in 1970. At least that's what the advertisements claimed. More realistic numbers place the GSX Stage 1's horsepower at somewhere between 390 and 395hp. One Buick expert said the number is more likely 400 or better, but no one would admit to it so as to keep Ralph Nader off their backs.

There were 678 GSX cars built in 1970 and available in only Saturn Yellow and Apollo White. Of this number, 491 were yellow and 187 were white, according to the GSX Registry. Of the 678 cars, 199 had four-speed manual transmissions and 479 were optional automatics. And 278 had standard 455 engines, while the other 400 were Stage 1 powered. In 1970, the GSX package cost $1,195 and included much more than the special stripes. The Stage 1 engine was an extra $115. Also in the package were: A hood tach; stiffer shocks and suspension pieces; heavy-duty cooling; power front disc brakes; and G60x15 tires on Buick Rallye chrome-plated wheels. Other GSX specific standard equipment included: Power front disc brakes; 3.42:1 ratio positive-traction rear end; special front stabilizer bar; heavy-duty front and rear shocks; and heavy-duty rear anti-roll bar.

Information is lacking on 1971 and 1972 models, which are more rare than the 1970 car, but ironically less valuable in the collector market. During these years, the cars were built the entire model year and the GSX option could come on any GS from a 350-powered version to a Stage 1 and could be ordered in five colors and various trim options. Having said this, these cars can be difficult to document. In 1971, Buick built 124 GSXs and in 1972, only 44 were built. The VIN will be the same as a GS of each year respectively. The 1971 GSX included: body side stripes, hood paint and GSX emblems, rear spoiler only, painted headlamp bezels, black rocker molding stripe, and six exterior colors were available. Despite the GSX's performance DNA, most luxury options, including air conditioning were available, even with the Stage 1 engine. Buyers could order a four-way tilt power bucket seat, carpet savers and handy mats, power windows, power door locks, cruise control, tilt wheel, AM radio with 8-track mounted under the dash, custom shoulder belts, heavy-duty air cleaner, tinted glass and even speed alert so you wouldn't try to outrun the man in blue.     

The engine is the heart and soul of any car and the GSX is no exception. The Buick 455 held the crown for the most torque of any American mass-produced muscle car at the time (only Cadillac's 501 eventually out-twisted the 455, and that was only available in a three-ton land barge), and even though this engine had fewer horsepower than its other GM siblings, the Buick delivered amazing punch. 

In 1970, 60 mph came in the GSX in just 5.8 seconds, not bad for a car weighing 3,874 pounds, wearing bias-ply rubber. The GSX could cover the quarter-mile in 13.38 seconds at 105.5 mph, according to a 1970 Motor Trend report. If the car had an automatic transmission, it weighed 3,919.7 pounds and, if Stage 1-equipped, add another 2.4 pounds. At the time, the car was called "the quickest American production car." 

The Stage 1 option cost $199 and came with a higher-lift camshaft and slightly richer jets in the 750-cfm Quadra-Jet, even if the primaries and secondaries were the same for both engines: 1.375 inches and 2.250 inches. The bore and stroke of the 455 was 4.3125     inches by 3.90 inches and the Stage 1 had slightly higher compression of 10.5:1 in contrast to the 10.0:1 of the standard 455. The base engine produced 350hp and the Stage 1 had 360hp. 

Valve size was 2.120 inches on the intake side and 1.745 inches for exhaust for the Stage 1. Base 455 valves were 2.005 and 1.630 inches respectively. Probably the biggest internal difference is the hydraulic camshaft and its specifications. The standard 455 had a lift of 0.3891 inches intake and 0.4602 exhaust vs. 0.490 inches both intake and exhaust for the Stage 1. The duration for the standard engine was 290 degrees intake and 322 degrees exhaust. The Stage 1 had 316 degrees intake and 340 degrees exhaust. The overlap was 67 degrees for the base engine and 90 degrees for the Stage 1. In 1971 and 1972, a 350-cu.in. engine was standard in the GSX, with the two 455s optional. 

 

Specifications
Wheelbase, inches: 112.0
Weight, lbs: 4,000
Number built: 687
Base price: $4,880

Top Available Engine
Type: ohv V-8
Displacement, cid: 455
Fuel system: 1 x 4bbl.
Compression ratio: 10.5:1
Horsepower @ rpm: 360 @ 4600
Torque @ rpm: 510 @ 2800

Representative Performance
0-60 mph, sec: 6.5
1/4 mile, sec. @ mph: 13.8 @ 101
  
Muscle Car enthusiast's dream.