The early 1960s saw American auto manufacturers desperately trying to sell cars to the emerging baby-boom market. Pontiac attained success with its original muscle car, the GTO, but as successful as the GTO was, it was handily outsold by Ford’s grand-slam home-run pony car, the Mustang. In response, Pontiac entered the pony car market in 1967 with its new Firebird, a model that became one of the most iconic cars of the classic muscle-car era.
Introduced for 1969, the Trans Am version Firebird of the Firebird became the standard bearer for automotive performance in the U.S. market and kept the muscle car flame alive throughout the dark years of the 1970s and led the charge when performance reemerged in the 1980s. When muscle cars became dormant for a generation it was once again the classic pony cars that jump started American performance.
The battle that raged between Firebird, Camaro, and Mustang in the 1980s rejuvenated the U.S. auto industry's interest in high-performance muscle cars and the Trans Am remained the most potent car of the lot until the bitter end. Pontiac Trams Am: 50 Years chronicles this ultimate version of the Firebird’s rich history, from the early attempts to reach the youth market in the early 1960s, through the potent and turbulent years of the classic muscle car era, the resurgence of muscle in the 1980s, to the car’s continued popularity in both the automotive world and in popular culture today.
Reviews (20)
A must-read for Trans Am fans
I've read lots of books about muscle cars and Pontiac in particular. Most are written by dispassionate or sloppy authors and include incorrect photo captions, and only superficial information about the featured vehicles. Not so for Tom Glatch's TransAm. I've only read the first two chapters, but it's clear that this is a labor of love, written by someone with a genuine affection for the cars and with extensive access to sources that provide unique insight and details to avid readers. There are even design patent sketches related to Pontiac's innovative honeycomb wheels, supplemented by comments from the actual designer. The book is also amply illustrated with large, high resolution photos . This is the way it should be done.
Pontiac hoarder
My guy is a Pontiac collector and this book made for a great gift. Honestly, what do you get a man who owns 12 classic Pontiac’s??? The answer ... a cool book on the crap he already has. I think it kinda reinforces his confidence in all the money he has wasted ... I mean invested in the cars.
Discovered a Car featured in book that I had once owned for 25 years>
This was a gift to my son. I had glanced at the book in at a couple of book stores and noticed some nice articles and pictures pf Anniversary Trans Am's. Especially the '89 Turbo Trans Am and the '94 Trans Am, both of which I had owned in prior years. When I receive the book from Amazon Prime I discover that The '89 Turbo "was" the same car that I had owned for 25 years! It indeed is a small world or maybe diehard car collectors are a small percentage of the population!
Great book for the Firebird Trans-Am enthusiast or owner
Love the photos and the knowledge gained. Nice job.
ALL THE TRANS AMS
Good coverage and greast color photos. Covers all of the years including the "Bandit". It was exactly what I wanted.
Collectors will love!
My son loves this book! Nice detailed pics along with history of Trans Am!
Fast Shipment
Really a nice book to look at & read.
A very good read!
Good information and accurately put together.
Love it!
Great!
Nice Book....not much else to say.
Nice book for TA fans.
A must-read for Trans Am fans
I've read lots of books about muscle cars and Pontiac in particular. Most are written by dispassionate or sloppy authors and include incorrect photo captions, and only superficial information about the featured vehicles. Not so for Tom Glatch's TransAm. I've only read the first two chapters, but it's clear that this is a labor of love, written by someone with a genuine affection for the cars and with extensive access to sources that provide unique insight and details to avid readers. There are even design patent sketches related to Pontiac's innovative honeycomb wheels, supplemented by comments from the actual designer. The book is also amply illustrated with large, high resolution photos . This is the way it should be done.
Pontiac hoarder
My guy is a Pontiac collector and this book made for a great gift. Honestly, what do you get a man who owns 12 classic Pontiac’s??? The answer ... a cool book on the crap he already has. I think it kinda reinforces his confidence in all the money he has wasted ... I mean invested in the cars.
Discovered a Car featured in book that I had once owned for 25 years>
This was a gift to my son. I had glanced at the book in at a couple of book stores and noticed some nice articles and pictures pf Anniversary Trans Am's. Especially the '89 Turbo Trans Am and the '94 Trans Am, both of which I had owned in prior years. When I receive the book from Amazon Prime I discover that The '89 Turbo "was" the same car that I had owned for 25 years! It indeed is a small world or maybe diehard car collectors are a small percentage of the population!
Great book for the Firebird Trans-Am enthusiast or owner
Love the photos and the knowledge gained. Nice job.
ALL THE TRANS AMS
Good coverage and greast color photos. Covers all of the years including the "Bandit". It was exactly what I wanted.
Collectors will love!
My son loves this book! Nice detailed pics along with history of Trans Am!
Fast Shipment
Really a nice book to look at & read.
A very good read!
Good information and accurately put together.
Love it!
Great!
Nice Book....not much else to say.
Nice book for TA fans.
