Trans Am - The Second Generation

The Trans Am is a package that was sold as an option for the Pontiac Firebird. There are 4 generations of Trans Am, all based on the F-Body platform which the Chevy Camaro is also based on. Both cars competed in the ‘Pony’ car market, which also included cars like the Mustang, and the Challanger. The Second Generation F-Body Platform production run was from 1970 to 1981. There are many things that make the Second Generation stand out both in terms of its performance and its role in pop culture. 

• Classic Pontiacs
• What is an F-Body?

The Trans Am package was essentially a performance, and handling upgrade with some extra body styling. The name Trans Am was actually licensed by Pontiac from the Sports Car Club of America to promote the performance of the line. The first second gen Trans AMs offered the Ram Air IV engine, which increased Horse Power from 345hp to 370hp. The Ram Air IV also featured 5500rpm peak power, rather than the 5000rpm peak power of the standard model. The Trans Am package also featured standard dual exhaust with chrome extensions.   

• History of the Firebird
• The Ram Air IV

For the 1971 model GM introduced the 455 CID V8 Engine. The 455 CID refers to the 455 cubic inches of displacement. The main advantage of the higher displacement was added Torque, a way to measure the power of the engine. At the time this was very popular in performance vehicles, though it’s advantage has since come under debate. The 455 was none the less one of the most distinctive Trans Am traits throughout the Second Generation.

• Muscle Car Engines
• The GM F Platform

Throughout the second generation, the Trans Am debuted almost every year new styling options, and new colors. Often the performance options of the Trans Am could be bought in a separate package, the Formula model, without purchasing the cosmetic options. By 1975 the requirement of a catalytic converter meant no more dual exhausts. In 1976 Black was finally a color option. Many years offered a giant image of a flaming bird on the hood. 

In 1977 The Trans Am nose changed composition from relatively fragile fiberglass to deformable urethane. The new distinctive nose was featured in the Trans Am driven by Burt Reynolds in Smokey and the Bandit. The films made Trans Am a household name, and created market enthusiasm that wouldn’t be seen again until the Third Generation when Knight Rider would again reignite passion for the line. That said in 1977 many of the Firebird’s competitors had left the market. The Mustang exchanged its pony car image for that of a commuter car in the vein of the Pinto. Thus 1977 was probably the most distinctive year for the Trans Am.

• Mustang
• 1977 Muscle Cars

The image of the second generation Trans Am is so iconic that there is now even one company that restores old models to look, and perform, like the one featured in Smokey in the Bandit. Because of their massive bodies and huge durable engine, many second gen Trans AMs are still in existence today. The following are other resources regarding the Second Generation Trans Am.

• Year One Trans Am
• F-Body.org
• Camaro & Firebird Technical Resources
• Pontiac History Page