The 90s Pontiac Trans Am was an era-defining muscle car. Its awkward appearance and influential power are still a monument of past American muscle.
Step back to the 90s and imagine cruising down the highway in a Trans Am. Behind you is a line of 90s muscle cars that failed to sell across a generation. The decline in sales was partially due to the third generation of Firebirds being tuned down to cope with the fuel crisis, which marked their sales nadir in 1993. Pontiac managed to sell just a gut-wrenching 14,112 units throughout the year.
But the fourth generation of Pontiac Formulas and Trans Ams changed that in the most dramatic way. The new performance-upgraded coupes re-sparked interest, with 1994 doubling sales recorded in 1992. The 1996 reintroduction of the WS6 saw a further rise in Trans Am popularity all the way to its final year of production.
The Trans Am’s Awkward Yet Eye-Catching Design
Critics calling the third generation of Firebirds ‘ugly’ didn’t seem to put a dent in the 1993 Trans Am design. The unorthodox style of the Pontiac Trans Am is a mix of classic muscle car styling and futuristic design.
The stripes alongside the side skirts and pedestal-mounted rear spoiler bestow a bold and power-hungry appearance that distinguishes the Trans Am from other Firebird trims, such as the Formula. Still, it carries the same awkward design elements. For example, the V-shaped nose, honeycomb taillights, and round fog lights added to the car’s unusual look.
The WS6 package saw the return of Ram Air hoods on the Trans Am, which added another pair of nostril bulges to the front of the car. The Ram Air hoods continued into 1997 when they were available as an option on the new Trans Am convertibles.
Despite being visually appalling to many muscle car enthusiasts at the time, the Trans Am was an era-defining sight and presence across the era. While there were several other muscle cars that shared similar characteristics, such as the 90s Corvettes, the Trans Am stood out as an American icon.
90s Pontiac Trans Am Interior And Exterior Don’t Match
The interior of the Trans Am fell short of 90s standards. The plastic, unstyled center console, basic instruments, and bland helm design indicate General Motors cutting production costs. Evidently, a large portion of the budget was spent on the vehicle’s performance and exterior. However, the Trans Am offers drivers air conditioning, a six-way power driver seat, a tilt-adjustable steering column, and a shifter that easily falls into place.
The dashboard has a curvy and clustered look right behind the hard plastic steering wheel. GM has offered more than what melophiles bargained for, with several audio control buttons on both sides of the steering wheel. The leather seats are mildly comfortable, and there is a considerable amount of leg space for passengers. The dual cupholder and Monsoon AM/FM/CD stereo are an added benefit.
Firebird Trans Am’s Alluring V8 engine
Out of all its features, the Trans Am’s powerful engine is what makes it so desirable. The fourth generation of Pontiac Trans Ams packs a punch under the hood. All the way from 1993 to 1997, the Trans Am and Formula were fitted with a 5.7 L LT1 V8. Sitting right under the long hood of the muscle car, by 1996, the V8 engine delivers 285 horses at 5000 rpm for a power-laden rear-wheel drive. The coupe’s torque was capped at 325 lb-ft of torque at 2400 rpm.
The WS6 package gave the Trans Am a 1-up in power. The ram air induction of the WS6 package improved the engine output to 305 hp at 5400 rpm and 335 lb-ft of torque at 3200 rpm. For most drivers, power was a profitable tradeoff for slapping a pair of large holes on the hood. This was more than enough power to verify the advertised “0-60 mph in 5 seconds” and leave most competitors in the dust.
The WS6 swapped out a few features from the base models to accommodate the increased power. This includes a 32/19 mm front/rear sway bar combination and a 63 N/mm front spring rate.
The roar of the Trans Am engine is music to the ear, and any fan of ’90s muscle will recognize it in an instant. The Firebird Formula and Trans Am had the last version of the original Chevrolet small-block engine (also known as LT1), producing the hallmark legendary exhaust tone.
Used 90s Trans Ams: Discounted Price For Great Power
The fourth generation of Firebird Trans Am muscle cars comes with Corvette speed and power minus the price tag. In 1996, a Trans Am would have cost just under $20,000 without the WS6 package, which would have added another $2,995. Today, you could easily find yourself a Trans Am that cleared around 100,000 miles for an astonishingly low $10,000.
With a low cost, high performance, and awkward appearance, the Trans Am is among the most iconic American muscle cars of all time. As Pontiac quoted: “unprecedented performance, control, and excitement with a bold muscular appearance and features required in a high-performance sports car for the 90s”.
