2011 ASC Camaro-Based Firebird Trans AM
Remember a few years ago, when the market was still above 10,000 and the return of the Camaro and Challenger were just pubescent wet dreams? And the forums exploded with rumors of an entire muscle car resurrection? Yes, we all do.There were rumors of a new S197 Cougar, of the return of the Hemicuda, perhaps even a Chevelle or a Nova or a proper GTO.It seemed that 1969 was just around the corner, and all those years we endured Probes and Pintos and the entire decade of the 1980s was about to be atoned for.
The Pontiac Firebird Trans AM was one of the more plausible future spin-offs of the edgy new Camaro. And for a while there, it looked like we really just might get it. But then the bottom dropped out of the market, banks foreclosed, and–well, you know.
Now, Pontiac is a thing of the past. (Along with Saturn, Hummer, and Saab, but no one’s crying over those losses.) But the masterminds over at ASC Creative Services have just brought us the car Pontiac should have made, and perhaps, even, would have made if the Time Machine werentt just an H. G. Wells fantasy. And there’s no denying it’s a beauty.
The ASC concept actually seems to complete the lines of its donor car more elegantly, combining voluptuous rounded front quarter panels and fascia which somehow balance the hefty look of the Camaro. Either way, the Firebird certainly does not take great pains to mask its vintage roots, and side by side with a ‘70 version in a similar color scheme (below), the likeness is uncanny.
It’s obvious from the pictures that the conversion from Camaro to Firebird is a simple one, requiring new front and rear fascias, light housings, grille, apron, side-skirts, side scoops, and a completely revised (and resolved) rear end.
While there is no word yet whether ASC intends to produce the car or offer upgrades to existing Camaros as of yet, keep in mind that this is the company whose partnership with GM yielded such cars as the HHR SS and Malibu SS as well as the Cadillac STS-V and XLR-V, and therefore we have a better chance of seeing this car cruising down I-26 than, say, these (thankfully) mistaken concept photos of the car that never came:
Related Articles:
- 2010 Trans Am Firebird Indeed On The Way, Courtesy Trans Am Depot-Kevin Morgan
- GM to Pontiac: No Firebird for You. And We are Scaling Back on the Excitement Too
- New Muscle Cars Predicted To Fail
I personally like the pewter color verision I would also like to see the “firebird” icon back on the hood
Words by Steve on July 17, 2009 at 5:44 am | #
I prefer the black Trans Am design like Kevin Morgans proposal. The Blue one you guys are looking at doing looks like a Stang from the side. It also lacks the heat extractors like the 70s F-Body.
Words by Mike Siderias on July 23, 2009 at 10:34 am | #
I saw the side-picture of the blue concept T/A, and I thought for a second it was an S197 mustang! I would definently not buy this concept because of these similarities: No fender scoops, replica quarter window like mustang, boxy-like feel, and just doesn’t have the look of the “retro” 2nd Gen T/A’s. I’d rather see an updated 98-02 than this piece of crap. The black bandit concept however, hits it right on the dot! Build that specific model so everyone will be happy.
Words by Matt Siderias on July 23, 2009 at 10:40 am | #
I LIKE ALL THESE DESIGNS BUT THE BEST IS THE SILVER ONE AND THE BLACK ONE WITH BURT RENOLDS BY IT
Words by Robert on July 28, 2009 at 2:43 pm | #
I like them all make them all except the last one just looks too much like the camaro as do the others but it has too little done to it and needs more visual designs
Words by Cody Welch on August 2, 2009 at 5:04 pm | #
Given that the new F-Car platform is clearly a retro version of the 1969 model year why would we be attempting to make a 71-73 TA or a 78 firebird version? The 1969 Firebird was a terrific looking car and remains a popular collector. A 69 Pontiac version would make the most sense. Of course, now that Obama has forced GM to eliminate the Pontiac brand I guess nothing much will happen
Words by J Bell on August 5, 2009 at 2:35 pm | #
Please bring back the Trans-Am. I have been trying to locate a 1978 Black Trans-Am with black leather seats and T-Tops, including the honey cone wheels and the bird symbol. I have had no luck locating the exact car I had in 1978. I’ve thought to myself that maybe I should buy a new one when they come back. Please bring them back.
Words by Trans-Am Girl on November 5, 2009 at 6:00 pm | #
I have an ‘83 Trans AM and its been the greatest thing ever. I love it , it was an original Daytona Pace car too. My dream was to get an 2011 Black Bandit, but it’s pathetic obama wants to eliminate pontiac I am 20 years old and all my life I have only ever had a pontiac, its GMC’s best sports section and they are completely distroying it. Now were going to have to rely on those imported refridgerator boxes! Im just here to say i love my Trans AM and god speak we should keep the Ponitac!
Words by Jessica on November 16, 2009 at 2:43 pm | #
The first three Trans-Ams are grate aspecially the black version it would probably be the most popular version it looks like the 1978 model and I really hope that is the choice they make . I would be the first to buy this version if it was put into production, As I have owned a 1978 / 1979 / and 2000 ram air TA previously. Hope my wish comes through. And if they do they should make it with the 650HP / 455 HO ,If your going to bring back a classic like the Trans-AM bring it back with one hell of a punch.
Words by Allen on November 21, 2009 at 7:56 am | #
All I have to say is wow, and full speed ahead please. would defi. buy the black one too, I my self have been looking 4 a 1979 Trans am but is very hard to come about I WANT ONE
Words by TRANS AM GIRL on January 15, 2010 at 6:10 pm | #
i hava 70 1/2 lucerene blue #’s matching. was wanting a 2010 same color scheme…tre
Words by trebornash on January 17, 2010 at 3:11 am | #
I really love the two black bandit , pewter, & cmf version. I would hope that even if GM doesn’t do it under the outgoing Pontiac brand, why not restructure as the Trans Am brand without the Pontiac, producing great , “affordable, reliable, sports cars” & dont take too long while you have great momentum going for you -vs- the delay on production of the current new camaro platform.
Words by derkis jackman on January 27, 2010 at 5:59 pm | #