QUOTE __________________________________________________________________________________________
"... the TA's handling is about as close as most people would want to get to an honest-to-God racing platform. ... The TA's chassis is extremely stiff, and its front and rear roll characteristics are well balanced and tuned to each other. With near-neutral handling characteristics at the limit of adhesion, and just a trace of understeer that easily transfers into controllable oversteer, the TA ... is a blast to hustle through corners. It makes good drivers better drivers, and instantly transfers a feeling of confidence to the novice. It is a car whose handling and acceleration are guaranteed to transform a bored rush-hour commuter into a wide-eyed and grinning enthusiast. This is a fun car."
- John Hanson, Motor Trend, April 1986.
__________________________________________________________________________________________
QUOTE
__________________________________________________________________________________________
"Lean. Mean.
And outrageously beautiful. Trans Am for 1986 is raw power, sleek
aerodynamics
and crisp
handling. And it's ready to prove its performance title ... whenever you
are."
-1986 Pontiac dealer brochure
__________________________________________________________________________________________
STORY
SUMMARY- For the ADD challenged visitors to
my site who may be a little short on their Ritalin. Read the "Cliff's
Notes" on this car then decide if you want to dive into all the glorious
details (found in each link below).
BACK
STORY- I had the great fortune of having a low mileage, all
original 1986 Trans Am basically land in my lap while I was surfing Ebay for
1988 to 1990 Corvettes one
night. Never one to let a good (or fast) thing get away, I acquired the car shortly
thereafter to serve as the new basis for
my life-long dream of going faster. Ah, well. The folly of
foolish pursuits and the fun that they must surely bring.
THE MYSTERY MACHINE- This 1986 Trans Am is a real enigma, a collection
of several small, unsolved mysteries. I went into this purchase
with high expectations and low demands, what I got when I took
possession of the car exceeded even my wildest dreams.
DECIPHERING THE VIN AND RPO CODES-
Deciphering the VIN Vehicle Identification Number and factory build
codes of the TA, discovering her many options.
SPECIFICATIONS- OEM factory
specs and details for the 1986 Pontiac Trans Am.
QUOTE
__________________________________________________________________________________________
"The shape is lean, low, and aerodynamic. Designed for performance.
Ready to set pulses racing on a
hot Saturday night.
It's Firebird Trans Am. And it's one of the most serious machines to ever
put four tires to pavement."
-
Pontiac Trans Am advertisement, 1985
__________________________________________________________________________________________
PROGRESS
THE
TRANS AM DIARY- (updated
Thursday September 06, 2007)
- Follow along the
times, the tribulations, and the restoration of this particular 1986 Trans
Am.
PROJECT PLAN- The process of restoring this car and all that it entails.
QUOTE __________________________________________________________________________________________
"Acclaimed as one of the most visually stunning cars ever built, the Trans Am's
styling will no doubt remain timeless.
... If you think '57 Chevys still look good, you'll love the Trans Am - even 20
years from now.
-
John Baechtel,
"Different Strokes"
comparison test
HOT ROD MAGAZINE, August 1986
__________________________________________________________________________________________
MULTIMEDIA
1986
PONTIAC DEALER PRODUCT ORDERING MANUAL -
FIREBIRD SECTION - Here it is, a rare look into
the world of the dealership and product information / ordering. 8 out of 10 of these books were
simply thrown away at the end of the model year so finding one is a real
Grail quest. This particular book is a three ring binder that
each dealer received, a binder which held the information, options, and
ordering slips for every Pontiac model offered in 1986. I have
scanned in just the information on the 1986 Firebird and added notes where
appropriate. This should be a real treat not only to owners of
1986 Firebirds, but all third gen Firebird owners as well.
PONTIAC HISTORIC SERVICES DOCUMENTATION- PHS can
provide you with a wealth of information on your Pontiac, including
reproduction window sheets. Find out what PHS dug up for me on
this 1986 Trans Am.
WINDOW
STICKER - a PHS supplied reproduction of the original new car window
sticker.
FACTORY
NEW FIREBIRD WORK ORDER - reproduced as best as possible given
existing information, here is what the build sheet / factory work order
for this Trans Am should have looked like.
FACTORY / DEALER MEDIA INFORMATION- Visual info
for the 1986 Trans Am, from scans of original dealer brochures to magazine
advertisements, test reports, and the documentation that came with the
car originally (including an exclusive offer from Pontiac for Firebird /
Trans Am fashion accessories).
SCRAPBOOK- Current pictures of the '86 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am.
QUOTE __________________________________________________________________________________________
" ... these cars have enough performance to set your pulse racing. The engines fire with a lusty, soul-stirring burble. You push the throttle and blast away with a smack in the back that only big-torque V-8s like these provide. You need to watch it if the road is damp or icy; these tails wag fast and furiously."
The little GM V-8s ... respond powerfully from low revs, they run cleanly through the midrange, and they will thrust on satisfyingly to the 5500 rpm redline. On the road, opening them up from around 3500 rpm in second or third when you're hitting the apex of a good bend is just plain glorious. You fairly pelt out, perhaps with the tail just starting to edge into oversteer. This is classic muscle-car motoring, and these cars do it well."
-Mel
Nichols, "Family Feud"
Automobile, May 1987
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
Visual
image of the LB9 5.0 liter (305cid) High Output V8 with TPI Tuned-Port Injection
- 1986 dealer brochure
QUOTE _____________________________________________________________________________________________
"It doesn't take long to realize the Trans Am is simply the better car ... and nowhere is this fact more apparent than in the drivetrain. Alright, agreed, it's old-fashioned V8 power driving rear wheels through a 4-speed automatic transmission. No future-think, leading edge of technology here. No eye to the future. And no apologies, because the setup simply works great. The 5-liter engine - rated at 205 hp - carries GM's latest sequential port fuel injection system. Although the FI engine is only available with the 4-speed automatic, it's definitely worth trading off the 5-speed manual for the performance offered by this induction system (the 5-speed can be had only with the carbureted V8). With eight cylinders ... the 5-liter engine delivers big-time torque through a hair-trigger, snapping your neck from a standing start with a quick, smooth, predictable transition from the bottom of the powerband to the top. ... the TA drivetrain was a gem. Confident, sure, strong and more race car-like."
- John Hanson, Motor Trend, April 1986.
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
FIREBIRD TRANS AM
