2002 Pontiac Trans Am Ram Air
Car of the Day 10.14.2009
<img id="ctl00_ctl00_Full_Main_ctl00_EktronContent1_ctl00_uxLogo" class="logo"> Landin Williams and Evan Griffey, 10.14.2009
The Oakland Car Company was founded in 1907 and was acquired a scant two years later by General Motors. The Pontiac name, taken from an 18th century Ottawa Indian chief, was affixed to a five-passenger coach that GM debuted at the 1926 New York Auto Show. The car was a hit and GM elected to build a brand around the Pontiac name. From the 1930s to the ‘50s Pontiac built stylish automobiles like The Torpedo 8, Chieftain and Bonneville. However the division’s claim to fame is starting the muscle car craze in 1964 with the GTO, which was an option package for the small Tempest model. The option featured a 389-cubic inch V8 from the full-size fleet and the combination of big engine and small car became the recipe for the muscle car movement. Three years later the Firebird was born which was even smaller car than the Tempest yet sported V8 power.
The 2002 Pontiac Trans Am is a poignant addition to FM3, its brawny personality being tempered by some historic facts. The 2002 run was the last year of the F-body and the last for Firebird as a model. With the recent demise of Pontiac under the ‘New GM’ there will be no rising from the flames for this Bird. Currently 2010 looks to be the last year the division will produce new models. The fourth-gen Trans Am (1993-2002) has a lot to offer, most notably the first of the venerable LS line of small-block V8s. The LS1 with its classic 5.7 liters of displacement features an aluminum block and head but in the Ram Air version Pontiac pilots get 15 extra horses. Pumping out 325 horsepower and 350 lbs-ft the WS6 Ram Air package constituted 48 percent of 2002 Firebird production. The performance and handling package features functional air scoops, ram-air induction, low restriction dual outlet exhaust, and a suspension specifically tuned for maximum handling performance. The LS1 is more than willing to pump up the volume when it comes to the tuning garage and the angular styling accents, especially the Ram Air ducts, should challenge painters.
2002 Pontiac Trans Am Ram Air Gallery