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Mid-Engined Pontiac Firebird Trans Am Looks Like Acura NSX Rival in This Render

The F-body Pontiac Firebird could be one of the cheapest drag cars you build right now. However, we think it's cool even when it's standing still, and this rendering could be just the thing to make you see it through new eyes.
Mid-Engined Pontiac Firebird Trans Am Looks Like Acura NSX Rival in This Render 4 photos
Photo: chopping_pixels/Instagram
Mid-Engined Pontiac Firebird Trans Am Looks Like Acura NSX Rival in This Cool RenderingMid-Engined Pontiac Firebird Trans Am Looks Like Acura NSX Rival in This Cool RenderingMid-Engined Pontiac Firebird Trans Am Looks Like Acura NSX Rival in This Cool Rendering
"These are dark days for the Pontiac Trans Am and Chevy Camaro because 2002 is the last year that these icons of American horsepower will be built. They'll be gone but not forgotten," said Motor Week in a review more than 18 years ago.

The history of GM's famous F-body muscle car twins goes all the way back to the early 1980s. By the way, the F doesn't stand for anything. The General uses letters for platforms to differentiate them for assembly. It's also in the VIN code, the fourth digit. In any case, this long-lasting family saw low-powered V8, boxy 80s vibes, and even some faux luxury features.

The particular style of Pontiac muscle car this rendering is based on is usually associated with a 2001 Pontiac Trans Am Firebird WS6 or a 2002 35th Anniversary model. It looks a lot like the "Catfish" of that era, though its face boasts pop headlights that resemble those of the BMW 8 Series and a cool little number plate cover.

Obviously, everybody is doing mid-engined renderings for old cars because of the C8 Corvette. But artist chopping_pixels was one of the first to do so, and we still fondly remember his Mustang "supercar." So is there any logic to a 2000s Pontiac pony looking like this?

A lot, actually. This is a WS6, the model that tried to be a sports car. The GM brands often like to compete with each other, and Pontiac is like the gutsy runt of the litter, always trying to sneak in a bigger V8 and outdo Chevy. The Firebird WS6 was going after the Corvette, with its intimidating nostrils, bulging hood, and snarling exhaust. And then there's the engine, an LS1 with 325 hp and 365 lb-ft of torque.


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About the author: Mihnea Radu
Mihnea Radu profile photo

Mihnea's favorite cars have already been built, the so-called modern classics from the '80s and '90s. He also loves local car culture from all over the world, so don't be surprised to see him getting excited about weird Japanese imports, low-rider VWs out of Germany, replicas from Russia or LS swaps down in Florida.
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