Why Restore a 1970 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am?
Close your eyes for a moment, empty your thoughts, and just focus on coming up with one name that, all things being equal, would be the ultimate classic muscle car to restore.
If the one name that immediately came to mind was Trans Am, this is the post for you.
While GM officially pumped the brakes on the Pontiac line eight years ago, the Firebird Trans Am holds such a lofty position in automotive lore that it ensures that name will never be forgotten (alas, we still miss you, KITT).
Yet for as recognizable as Michael Knight’s 1982 supercharged partner-in-crime may be, real Pontiac aficionados know that the original 1970 second-generation model is what really moves the meter.
A World-Class Muscle Car
What makes the 1970 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am so special?
Perhaps it’s due to the fact that 1970 was the year when GM abandoned the first generation “coke bottle” body style and introduced its classic swooped snout that incorporated a front air dam along with fender air extractors.
The net result is an extra 50 pounds of downforce at the nose, along with an additional 50 pounds at the rear thanks to its spoilers in front of the rear wheels and its enhanced decklid lip.
This groundbreaking design led Car and Driver Magazine to call it a car “which doesn’t exist anywhere in the world, even for twice the price.”
Eye-Popping Performance Numbers
If such an endorsement doesn’t drive home why you should consider restoring a 1970 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am, consider the engine options available to you:
- The 366 hp 270 kW Ram Air III
- The 370 hp 280 kW Ram Air IV
- The quasi-mythical Ram Air V
The performance upgrades are all available instead of the standard 345 hp Ram Air 400 cubic-in V8 (which itself produced quite a punch).
Granted, you might have to look a little harder to find one with a Ram Air IV or above as only 88 are recorded has having been manufactured (which makes finding one akin to striking gold).
A Ram Air V? That was a special-order model pieced together with over-the-counter parts capable of producing an insane 500 horsepower.
Roll up to your local classic auto show in a fully restored 1970 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am, and you’ll immediately become the talk of the town.
Do you need help with some of the basics when it comes to classic car restoration? We have you covered here with the tips and best practices you need to know from finding and purchasing the car of your dreams to practical tips on how to install certain features.
Read the guide >
Your story can only truly be a happy one if you’re also able to make the inside of your ride as beautiful as its exterior. That’s where we at Legendary Auto Interiors come in.
As one of the classic car industry’s premier suppliers of quality auto interior products, we are the perfect partner to have during your restoration project.
View 1970 Firebird Trans Am Parts and Products >
To find out exactly what we can help you put into your restored Trans Am, fill out our online contact form today.
Find the exact parts that restore your dream car to mint condition.
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