There really hasn't been cars like those since. Sure, today's cars are alot quicker, but it's hard to imagine what I car would have to be today to gain that type of following with the same type of fans the TA appealed to.

For those of you who missed that era, I guess the best way to describe the late '70s Firebird Trans Am TA/6.6 in today's language so you'll understand when us old farts wax poetic about the old Trans Am imagine this:

A hardtop 4 passenger Pontiac Solstice with an LS2 (while Corvette kept it's LS1!), new GTO-type interior & quality, optional low priced racing stripes that everyone "must have", and performance just only a K&N air filter installation away from a LS6 Z06 while all selling for about $28,000 today.

T/As had bigger engines than Corvettes that was shared only by another Pontiac, simular horsepower to the top Corvette, and had argubly the best interior of the time. That would pretty much clinch a comparison.

 

GuionM: This is what I feel could happen with the return of the firebird. If in the late 70's the Firebird/TA had the best interior of the time, why couldn't Pontiac take it in that same direction again? Especially considering they are trying to go upscale. And in my previous posts, when I say aggressive styling, it doesn't have to be in your face like the 98-02's WS6's ( though I must say I love the look ). I'm talking about a sleek, sporty look that conveys an image of performance, and could still have the necessary comfort and quality build. Like I think you said in a previous post, it could be the equivalent of the 3 series in Pontiac's lineup above the Solstice (maybe G6?) and below the GTO. All I know i that I think it's a shame for the firebird nameplate to die with sucha rich and deep history and heritage, and being a dominant sports car in the 70's.

Kevin

 

I too have to agree on this one... the first car I really, really, really wanted was a Trans Am - especially a 79, replete with screaming chicken on the hood and a 6.6 under it (SE preferably). I still do want that car... Of course I was only 11 so it was totally out of the question. For me, that car had it all over the Camaro at the time, In fact I find Camaros from that era to be much less desirable (IMHO) than the cousin from Pontiac. They were two different cars with differences that went well beyond sheet metal.

Even with the 3rd and 4th gen cars I still flip-flop the desirability factor of TA versus Camaro in the order of preference I hold for these cars. By and large though I have been TA fan longer than a Camaro fan.

Personally, when the smoke clears and all is said and done I'd like to see a return of the Firebird. There has to be room somewhere between the Solstice and the GTO for such a car. I do however fear that type of car is no longer in cards for Pontiac though. A shame, a real shame.