Pontiac GTO Judge Resurrected…Sort Of: Tuner Prepped Model Based on the Camaro

The makers of the fire-breathing Phoenix T/A that we saw at the 2009 SEMA show in Las Vegas are back with yet another proposal for a Pontiac model based on the latest iteration of Chevy’s Camaro pony car. This time the people over at Trans Am Depot will give birth to a modern day interpretation of Pontiac’s famed 1969 GTO Judge. The tuner named its creation “The GT9 Goat”.

The teaser renderings and photos of the faux-Pontiac reveal a bespoke front end with a split grille and a revised hood with air scoops, while at the back we find new tail lamp and bumper designs as well as a restyled trunk sporting a prominent wing. The characteristic profile side stripes, quad tail pipes and the newly styled alloy wheel options round off the exterior changes. There’s no word yet if there will be any kind of upgrades to the interior and the mechanical hardware of the Camaro.

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SEMA: HPP Comes up with its own Trans-Am Camaro kit

The last time we heard from Heide Performance Products (HPP), the Michigan-based tuner showcased a Daytona conversion for Dodge's Challenger. Keeping with the vintage theme, HPP is now ready to show its next pony car conversion - a Camaro-based Trans-Am kit - at this year's SEMA show in Vegas.

As with all the other Firebird body kits out there (Lingenfelter's, ASC's, etc), HPP's version does its best to bring back the good-ol' days of the screaming chicken. The results, as with any "we're selling you memories" conversion, vary.

Regarding the proposition of selling this conversion (for anything other than the collectability factor), I don't see a point. Pontiac is D-E-A-D, it's not coming back, and that means anyone's "new" Trans-Am will forever be a Chevy wearing a costume. It's similar to having a Plymouth nameplate on a modern Chrysler or Dodge; the vintage naming works for the Daytona, but not for the Superbird.

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One-of-One 1969 Pontiac GTO Judge drop-top set to cross the auction block

Car auctions always have some interesting product to show off. Hell, I'm going to have to pick up my Boss '9 at one somewhere down the road, but that's beside the point. The one-of-one Pontiac GTO Judge convertible seen here is about to hit the block in a few weeks at Mecum's St. Charles Auction and here's a little something about it.

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Pontiac Firebird-based 308 Ferrari Replica kills two nameplates with one stone

What's the deal with cheesy Pontiac-based replicas? Every time I see one, I ask myself how anyone in their right mind would ever think it's a good idea (unless purely testing one's kit building and car chopping talents). This ebay-situated Firebird-based 308 replica can be yours for the low-low price of $6,500; if you'd like to try your luck with the auction, feel free. We won't judge either way (sinner!).

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FAIL: The General Lee's got nothing on this Flying Pontiac Firebird [VIDEO]

Words cannot describe how mega this crash is. If you haven't seen it yet, do it...DO IT NOW. It must be seen. Even if you have seen it, check it out again. The victim was a 19-year old who was speeding, tried to pass on the left, ended up in the median...then something CRAZY happened, he got ejected from his Firebird, somehow survived, and is now in critical condition.

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Classic Design Concepts' Pontiac-esque FireBreather Available for Order

While Classic Design Concepts (CDC) deliberately avoids the use of the word 'Pontiac', the first thought that comes to mind upon seeing the FireBreather is a modern iteration of General Motor's Firebird Trans-Am pony car.

The 2011 Camaro-based special was originally created as a one-off movie car for Exxodus Pictures' new sci-fi flick, Jinn, but the company decided to build a limited series for sale. And now, the order book has opened with the maker planning to manufacturer a total of 50 exact replicas of the FireBreather, priced at $60,000 a piece.

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VIDEO: 2011 Camaro-Based Pontiac Firebreather Meets the Shelby GT500

The folks from 'The Smoking Tire' decided to bid farewell to the 2011 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 Convertible they had for this year's Bullrun by bringing on Classic Design Concepts' Pontiac Firebreather for a brief tet-a-tet.

For those unfamiliar with the Firebreather, the Pontiac Firebird-ized 2011 Camaro was originally created by Classic Design Concepts as a one off movie car for Exxodus Pictures' new sci-fi film, Jinn, but the company took the decision to build a limited series for sale to the public.

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Found on eBay: 1981 Pontiac Firebird Formula Drop-top

Pontiac never made a 1981 Firebird Formula convertible (or any kind of '81 Firebird Convertible, for that matter), but that didn't stop a lot of people from going out and chopping the tops off of these post-oil-crisis Ponchos anyway.

Usually when cars that were never meant to be convertibles get their brains blown out, it turns into quite an unattractive mess.

While this version - originally done by Coach Works and featuring a manual top and boot - doesn't look too shabby with the top down, I'd have to see it with the top up to get a better idea of what we're dealing with.

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One more 2010 Camaro-Based Pontiac Trans Am Conversion

Not surprisingly, Pontiac's demise has spurred an interest in the creation of Trans Am replicas based on the new Chevrolet Camaro. We remind you that we've already seen a conceptual proposal for a modern-day Pontiac Trans Am from ASC Creative Services and real-life examples from Lingenfelter and Trans Am Depot.

The latest company to join the list of tuners interested in creating a Trans Am replica is a company called Gearhead Performance Group.

Along with the cosmetic upgrades that include new front and rear fascias complete with unique lights, 21- or 22-inch snowflake wheels, a large rear spoiler and gold interior accents (...), the tuner claims that it will offer an optional twin-turbo LS9 V8 with some 900 horsepower.

Source: Gearhead Performance , Via: Autoblog.com

The Return of the Bandit: '70s Pontiac Trans Am Conversion of the 2010 Camaro comes to SEMA

The team over at Trans Am Depot showed off a revised version of their Pontiac conversion of the 2010 Chevy Camaro at this week's SEMA Show. Compared to the original Phoenix T/A that was revealed earlier this year (see photos after the jump), the new model features some stylistic upgrades such as the reworked graphics, a new front fascia with quad headlights, revised lower air inlets and a ground effects package with chunky side skirts and a front apron, all of which bring closer in looks to the 1977-1978 Pontiac Trans Am.

The Phoenix T/A kit also includes other body parts such as the new hood with a shaker scoop, specific front fenders and rear fascia complete with taillights and a boot spoiler. The 20-inch gold or silver machined face snowflake wheels wrapped in Pirelli P-Zero 305/35ZR20 tires and the unique tail pipes plus the interior trim and badge appointments complete the cosmetic package.

Trans Am Depot will also offer a range of performance upgrades including a suspension and engine kit for Camaro SS' V8 powerhouse.

The company plans to sell the Phoenix T/A as a completed model (based on the Camaro SS) or as a conversion kit starting early next year.

PHOENIX T/A PHASE 2

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PHOENIX T/A PHASE 1

SEMA Preview: Pontiac Trans Am Concept Based on 2010 Camaro

You didn't think that 'Trans Am Depot' was the only tuner trying to make a screaming chicken out of the new Chevy Camaro Coupe, did you? Get ready to give a big warm mullet welcome to Lingenfelter's Pontiac Trans Am concept model at next month's SEMA gathering in Las Vegas. Based on the 2010 Camaro, the 455 TA is stylistically inspired by the 1971 Pontiac Trans Am and comes equipped with a 455 cubic inch (that's 7.5-liters) V8 pushing out a hefty 655 horsepower and 610 lb-ft of peak torque.

The teaser renderings provide us with our first look at the 455 TA's appearance that adds a newly styled fascia and rear end along with 20-inch custom honeycomb style wheels shod in beefy tires, a hood scoop, side air vents and a sweet duck-tail spoiler to the 2010 Camaro.

Lingenfelter says that 455 TA will also feature a custom interior, which we gather will hark back to the original Pontiac Trans Am.

Although the vehicle is billed as a concept for now, we're pretty sure that if there's enough interest in the car, Lingenfelter will go ahead and offer the Camaro-based 455 TA for sale.

Via: Camaro5

2011 Pontiac Firebird Trans AM by ASC: New Camaro-Based Proposal

Pontiac's days may be numbered as General Motors plans to phase out the historic brand by the end of 2010, but that hasn't dampened ASC Creative Services' attempts to make a Trans Am version out of the all-new Chevy Camaro coupe. ASC has worked many times with General Motors in the past helping out in the creation and design development of cars like the 1987 Buick GNX, various Chevy SS models such as the HHR SS and Malibu SS, as well as the Cadillac STS-V and XLR-V sport cars just to mention a few.

The design and development firm's proposal for a Camaro-based Pontiac Trans Am is a fairly simply conversion that could easily lead to a custom-order production model. The changes include a new front fascia complete with unique head lights, twin-kidney grill inserts and restyled apron, a rear-facing hood shaker, new side skirts and alloy wheel designs plus rear-fender air vents. At the back the design proposes a new rear fascia with distinctive tail lights, boot spoiler and a specific apron housing new exhaust pipes.

While we don't have any photos of the interior, we gather that ASC would most likely limit the changes to the trim and seat options along with a revised instrument panel.

There's no information ASC's actual intentions on the car, but if you're really interested, you can send a mail to dave.byron (at) ascglobal.com for more information.

Via: DUB & eGMcartech

eBay: 1978 Pontiac Trans Am Bandit Signed by Burt Reynolds

Just so we can make it clear from the beginning, this fully restored 1978 Pontiac Trans Am is a Bandit replica that has nothing to do with any of the original cars that stared along with Burt Reynolds in the “Smokey and the Bandit” movie series.

Instead, this particular Trans Am that’s equipped with a massive 6.6-liter V8 220Hp engine was loaned to Burt Reynolds to drive while he was helping the “YearOne” company design the new “Burt Builds a Bandit” car.

For what it’s worth, Reynolds has signed the car and the winning bidder will also receive various Burt Reynolds memorabilia like a hat, shirt and a signed picture. The current bid on eBay is approx $46k. –More pictures after the jump

Via: Cardomain , Link: eBay