- Buick Turbo V-6 Engine: Originally featured in the Buick Grand National, this engine powerfully transforms the Firebird into a sprinting machine.
- Performance Figures:
- Rated: 250 horsepower and 340 pound-feet of torque.
- Reality: Approaches 300 horsepower at the rear wheels.
- Acceleration: Reaches 60 mph swiftly and completes the quarter-mile in 13.4 seconds.
- Project Origin: Lead Pontiac engine tester Bill Owen helmed the initiative to incorporate a turbocharged V-6 with unique modifications like:
- Cylinder Heads: Derived from the 3800 V-6.
- Cross-Drilled Crankshaft: Enhanced engine strength and reliability.
- Intercooler: Shared with the illustrious GNX.
- Manufacturing: Not built by GM but by Prototype Automotive Services (PAS) in California.
- Distinctive Design: Each of the 1,555 models sported Code 40 White paint with subtle badges and 16-inch basket-weave alloys.
- Indy 500 Legacy: This Trans Am holds the distinction of being an Indy 500 pace car that required no modifications apart from safety features.
- Humorous Victory: It "won" the 1989 race as it led the field under caution when Emerson Fittipaldi crossed the finish line.
- Current Offering: The vehicle up for auction has just 6,000 miles and previously belonged to Scott Kelly, a key player in its development.
- Placement in History: Perfectly positioned at the intersection of Buick and Pontiac enthusiasm, the Turbo Trans Am is celebrated as one of GM's coolest creations.
Auction End Date: January 16
Reviving its rich heritage, the 1989 Pontiac Firebird Turbo Trans Am is not only a showcase of engineering finesse but also a celebration of automotive culture. Its blend of turbocharged speed and storied past cements its status as an exciting and rare acquisition for any car enthusiast.
