| Article |
 |
 |
Pontiac Firebird Fans Find Life In Chevy Camaro
Although the Pontiac Firebird and Chevy Camaro shared many parts and components down through the years, the two GM models were rivals too. While Trans Am and Z28 fans may have respected each other, that deference was lost on the quarter mile. Somehow it didn't matter if both cars sported the same Corvette-based V8 engine or that they were built on the same Quebec assembly line - there was more at stake here - muscle car supremacy that could only be claimed by one.
Closure of Pontiac
These days, Pontiac fans are adjusting to life without the Firebird and most importantly the demise of the Pontiac brand itself. Rolled out in 1926, Pontiac eventually became the performance division for GM, introducing the Tempest, LeMans and GTO to the market in the early 1960s, following up in 1967 with the Firebird, its answer to the Ford Mustang. That heritage has helped define Pontiac and keep the fire burning until the Firebird was discontinued in 2002. Since then, the brand has been a shell of itself though teased for awhile with the capable Pontiac G8, itself an Australian (Holden) production.
Swallowing the bitter pill of Pontiac's closure has been difficult for many fans who insist that they will keep the brand alive at least in their current cars. Figure that a generation or two down the line most any Pontiac model will be prized for its intrinsic value, particularly performance oriented cars such as the Firebird, G8, Grand Am and Grand Prix.
Phoenix T/A
Because Pontiac fans are a resourceful lot, it is perhaps heart-warming to hear of aftermarket suppliers who have created conversion kits to turn the all new (fifth generation) Camaro into Firebirds. Yes, there just may be an answer for disappointed Firebird enthusiasts everywhere in the new Chevrolet model which is taking the auto world by storm. One company, Trans Am Depot, is modifying 2010 Chevy Camaros to have a similar appearance to the 1977-78 era Trans Ams. Though they cannot use the Pontiac name, the Phoenix T/A will bear a strong resemblance to yesteryear T/As.
The Phoenix T/A is the result of the work of designer Kevin Morgan working with Todd Otto, an automotive fabricator/builder. Working in partnership with Trans Am Depot, handcrafted limited edition models are now being built, utilizing special wheels, tires, fascia, hood treatments, fenders, striping and rear updates to remake the Camaro into a Trans Am.
Inside, the T/A gets special aluminum touches, Trans Am badging and embroidering to further distinguish the model. As the name "Phoenix" is defined, the T/A represents something that rose from the ashes to a new life.
Camaro Conversions
As you might imagine full re-dos are costly which means that some fans may be tempted to do the work themselves, at least finding a manufacturer who offers select parts separately including the grill, wheel covers, striping and rear treatments. Just search for "Camaro conversions" online and you'll be shown a list of sites offering a variety of options in a quest to help Firebird devotees find life in all new Camaro.
| Sponsor Links |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
