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Cars

Pontiac Trans Am Vs Macho T/A: What’s The Difference?

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We’ll start our breakdown with the Pontiac Trans Am as a result of that automobile in the end beget the Macho T/A. Ironically, Trans Am fanatics can let you know the unique T/A is just not an entirely authentic creation itself and is, in reality, a slightly modified version of the Pontiac Firebird. The automaker’s Firebird debuted in 1967 and might be outfitted with a 3.8 L6 engine that delivered 220 horsepower. The first Trans Am arrived two years later with a surname impressed by the beloved Trans-American Cup road-racing collection and boasting a 400-cid V-8 engine with a brake horsepower of 335.

Despite its energy, the first-generation Trans Am struggled to search out favor outdoors the muscle-car-loving public. The massive engine magnificence additionally did not but entrance the traditional Trans Am look fanatics would come to adore within the 2nd Generation mannequin. Those 2nd Gen T/As arrived in 1970, and even when their 4.9-liter V8 engines introduced the automobile’s horsepower all the way down to a sub-muscle 210, the physique design turned virtually immediately iconic, as did the deliciously gaudy “Screaming Chicken” decal Pontiac started providing as a hood adornment in 1973.

A yr later, Pontiac additionally started becoming Trans Ams with their fabled Super Duty 455 engine, a muscle car era all-star if there ever was one. Unfortunately, federal laws meant Pontiac couldn’t proceed to make use of the gas-guzzling 455, with some naming the ’74 Trans Am the final of the American muscle automobiles.   

Cars

Pontiac 400 Vs Chevrolet 400 Engines: What’s The Difference?

Even although the Pontiac 400 got here first, Pontiac had at all times been a step behind within the manufacturing of V8 engines. This was particularly as a result of Pontiac was late to maneuver away from the straight-8 engine design that went again a long time, eschewing that for the block mannequin that Chevrolet and others had already achieved. 

When Pontiac finally did make its personal block V8, it wasn’t all that totally different from Chevy’s. Where the corporate deviated from Chevy was that every one of its V8s have been the identical exterior measurement, and the totally different displacements have been achieved purely by bore and stroke.

The Pontiac 400, which was launched in 1967, completely exemplifies that as a result of this engine was only a bored out model of its 389 V8 — which had been round since 1959 and change into the corporate’s commonplace engine that they have been now going to retire. This new 400 engine may generate as much as 360 horsepower, and was provided as an choice for a number of Pontiac fashions, together with the GTO and Firebird. 

The 400 could be in use for slightly over a decade till 1978, and by that point, a lot had modified with muscle automobiles, V8 engines, emissions laws, and an oil disaster that Pontiac actually had no cause to maintain manufacturing occurring them. By 1981, Pontiac stopped making V8s all collectively, whereby GM determined that components sharing throughout corporations wasn’t such a foul thought.

[Featured image by Valder137 via Wikimedia Commons | Cropped and scaled | CC BY 2.0]

ToyotaUk

All-New Toyota Prius/Prius Prime Wins 2024 North American Car of the Year Award

PONTIAC, Mich., Jan. 8, 2024 – Since the revealing and subsequent launch, the all-new Toyota Prius/Prius Prime has earned excessive reward and accolades all through the auto trade. The car accountable for beginning the hybrid revolution practically 25 years in the past earned some of the coveted awards within the automotive sector – the 2024 North American Car of the Year.

The 2024 North American Car, Truck and Utility Vehicle of the Year™ (NACTOY) award winners have been introduced at M1 Concourse in Pontiac, throughout a Jan. 4 press convention co-hosted by the Detroit Auto Dealers Association (DADA) and Automotive Press Association (APA). The NACTOY awards are voted on by a big, impartial jury of automotive journalists from the United States and Canada.

Leading as much as the occasion, the Toyota Prius/Prius Prime was a finalist within the Car of the Year class, together with the Honda Accord and Hyundai Ioniq 6. Scott Neiheisel, normal supervisor of the Cincinnati gross sales area, and Roseanne Larsen, assistant normal supervisor in Cincinnati, have been readily available to obtain the enduring NACTOY trophy, on behalf of Toyota.

At Toyota Motor North America (TMNA) headquarters, in Plano, information of the celebrated award unfold shortly, because it marked the second time Prius had earned North American Car of the Year honors. Back in 2004, the second-generation Prius was named NACTOY Car of the Year.

“We are thrilled the NACTOY jurors agree that the all-new Prius and Prius Prime are exceptional vehicles. The unique combination of sexy styling and industry leading efficiency put Prius in a league all its own.” Said Mike Tripp, group vp, Toyota Marketing. “After nearly 25 years, Prius continues to leave its mark on the world and offers customers a great option to reduce their carbon emissions.”

Throughout the judging course of, the Prius/Prius Prime earned the admiration of most of the journalist-jurors. Frequent compliments revolved round look and gas financial system.

“The Toyota Prius and Prius Prime are not just handsomely styled hatchbacks, they represent the future of the automobile by blending traditional internal combustion with electric drivetrains,” stated veteran journalist Matt DeLorenzo. “Of particular note is the plug-in version which offers more than 40 miles of pure electric range, allowing most owners to skip regular gas station visits.”

The NACTOY Car of the Year Award represents one of many 17 trade awards earned by Prius/Prius Prime the previous few months.

About North American Car, Truck and Utility Vehicle of the Year™

The awards are supposed to acknowledge probably the most excellent new automobiles of the yr. These automobiles are benchmarks of their segments based mostly on elements together with innovation, design, security, dealing with, driver satisfaction, person expertise and worth. The group provides out three awards. They are: “North American Car of the Year™,” “North American Truck of the Year™,” and the “North American Utility Vehicle of the Year™.” The awards are distinctive as a result of they’re given by an impartial jury of automotive journalists from the United States and Canada as an alternative of by a single publication, web site, radio or tv station.

News

Remembering An Unadulterated Modern Muscle Car From The 2000s

Summary

  • The original Pontiac GTO was a successful experiment in the 1960s, inspiring Pontiac to offer it as an independent model.
  • The 2004 model of the rebirthed GTO was unremarkable, but the 2005 model featured a more powerful LS2 6.0-liter V-8 engine.
  • The fourth-generation GTO faced issues such as high price, reliability problems, and a lack of the quintessential muscle car look.

In the 1960s, the Pontiac GTO was the top muscle car in the United States. It began life as an experiment by Pontiac executives, including John DeLorean, to build a vehicle attractive to the younger generation. The company evaded a GM rule that outlawed engines over 330ci in midsize cars by offering the GTO package as an option on the LeMans line. The executives predicted that Pontiac would sell 5,000 units; car dealerships sold over 32,000 examples.

Clearly, the experiment was a huge success, inspiring Pontiac to offer the GTO as an independent model. Pontiac had inadvertently created the muscle car and became the most successful manufacturer in the segment. However, the vehicle’s reign at the top ended swiftly due to dwindling sales, the oil crisis, and tightening emissions regulations.

Pontiac waited until they had a car worthy of the GTO name before resurrecting it. In the early 2000s, the famous name returned on a car popular in Australia, the Holden Monaro. The rebirthed GTO featured a 5.7-liter V-8 engine and could reach 60 MPH in a little over 5.3 seconds. The 2005 model saw significant improvements, including a more powerful LS2 6.0-liter V-8 engine producing 400 horsepower and a top speed of 178 MPH.

The new GTO was not a conventional muscle car in terms of its appearance, but it offered impressive performance and handling. It had a stiff chassis and a performance-tuned suspension, resulting in stable and precise cornering. The car was also a comfortable cruiser and featured a spacious and well-designed interior.

Despite its performance capabilities, the fourth-generation GTO faced issues such as high price, reliability problems, and a lack of the quintessential muscle car look. These factors contributed to its sales failure. However, the GTO is now considered one of the best sleeper cars on the market, with its combination of power and understated looks. A 2005 model can be found for as low as $12,500.

Motorsport

Pontiac Firebird And Trans Am Barnfind Holds Amazing Muscle Cars

Welcome to a place where Pontiac Firebirds and Trans Ams find their final resting place. Located in Iowa judging by the license plates on some of the cars, this incredible location is filled with abandoned muscle cars.

In a video without voiceover, viewers can enjoy the sound of nature while witnessing numerous Firebirds and Trans Ams. The clip begins with the cinematographer walking through a row of cars, ranging from decent condition to mere shells.

The collector who assembled this collection appears to have a preference for second-generation Firebirds. While other iterations are present, they are not as abundant.

The barns house the rare cars. For instance, there are two Turbo Trans Ams parked side by side. These models were exclusively available in 1980 and ’81.

In another building, there is a Super Duty 455. Produced in 1973 and ’74, these models came with a 455-cubic-inch (7.5-liter) V8 engine that was more powerful than other versions offered by Pontiac. With an impressive output of 290 horsepower, these cars were ahead of their time.

To recap, the second-generation Firebird and Trans Am were in production from 1970 to 1981. While they shared underpinnings with the Chevrolet Camaro, they had unique styling and engine options. The Trans Am was the high-performance variant and gained fame through its appearance in the movie “Smokey and the Bandit” in 1977.

In addition to the cars, this collection also contains every Firebird or Trans Am part imaginable. Complete engines are scattered throughout the location, and there are stacks of wheels as far as the eye can see. Inside the main garage, there are neatly organized pallets with engine cylinder heads, intakes, and transmissions.

The collector’s interests also extend beyond Pontiacs. The main garage is home to a mid-1950s Ford, a late ’50s Mercury, and a classic hot rod. The collection even includes a Triumph Spitfire, one of the few non-American cars in the mix.