FLATLINE
FLATLINE New Reader
1/27/10 5:48 a.m.

This gives me goose pimples....

http://www.hotrod.com/featuredvehicles/hrdp_1003_2011_pontiac_trans_am/index.html

Gearheadotaku
Gearheadotaku GRM+ Memberand HalfDork
1/27/10 6:32 a.m.

I like it! Can't wait for the updated version they were talking about.

wheelsmithy
wheelsmithy GRM+ Memberand New Reader
1/27/10 7:38 a.m.

Not to be overly negative, but the rearend of that car looks awful-cheap kit car awful. The other (white) T/A thingy in the mag is ugly all over. Ok, it is pretty on the inside.

DeadSkunk
DeadSkunk Reader
1/27/10 8:13 a.m.

They're working on a better looking rear for it. I'm not a big fan of the Camaro to start with, so the Firebird version is novel, but not on my want list. See the thread on lighter cars in the "Off Topic Discussion" section for why. The white T/A is badly proportioned on the front. That whole "gunslit" window look is becoming too prevalent and makes cars look odd. The window sill needs to be at a height where you can put your elbow on it to cruise. Too many modern designers have grown up with air conditioned cars, apparently, they don't understand that your elbow needs to out the window and comfortable!

ReverendDexter
ReverendDexter Dork
1/27/10 8:52 a.m.

The gear shift is oddly prescient. Notice to get the car into "Pontiac", you'd have to go straight back from Reverse, but there's no path to do that...

P71
P71 GRM+ Memberand SuperDork
1/27/10 8:54 a.m.

Sorry, that car is FUGLY and way too unfinished to even be worthy of a magazine feature. I threw up a little in my mouth...

jrw1621
jrw1621 Dork
1/27/10 9:01 a.m.

I understand the desire to tribute The Bandit but I think more appropriate would be to tribute this:


Not bad either...

Found here:
http://www.yesterdayland.com/retrotalk/viewtopic.php?p=250688

ClemSparks
ClemSparks SuperDork
1/27/10 9:05 a.m.

I like the chin spoiler and the wheels.

It almost makes the car look like its namesake (that is...a TransAm series car)

Clem

EricM
EricM Dork
1/27/10 9:17 a.m.

OK I guess I am the minority here. I realy like it. I don't buy new cars, but I would almost break my own rule and get one, new.

16vCorey
16vCorey SuperDork
1/27/10 9:25 a.m.
DeadSkunk wrote: The window sill needs to be at a height where you can put your elbow on it to cruise. Too many modern designers have grown up with air conditioned cars, apparently, they don't understand that your elbow needs to out the window and comfortable!

No kidding! That is my only complaint of my 944. I absolutely LOVED the ergonomics of that car, until a nice spring day when I attempted to rest my arm on the window sill. I got over it, but it took a year or two.

mad_machine
mad_machine GRM+ Memberand SuperDork
1/27/10 9:27 a.m.

aside from the rear, which they admit still needs work, it looks good. I think they should give it a full width taillamp across the back.

and I agree on the 71/72 look... with some dual scoops overhanging the nose, it would look really hot. the Mustang already showed us how to do the round headlights in a modern ponycar.

Amd I do agree on the gunslit windo thing. I am not a big believer in aircon.. and one of things that makes the camaro, mustang, and challenger was always the 'cool car to be seen in" with the windows open, radio blaring, exhaust thumping, and arm on the top of the door

EricM
EricM Dork
1/27/10 9:33 a.m.

Oh, and I think hte Rear end looks a lot like "Lightning McQueen's" rear end from teh movie "Cars"

Stealthtercel
Stealthtercel Reader
1/27/10 9:33 a.m.

Did anybody read this...

Read the latest reviews of the new Magnum, including multi-vehicle comparisons, long-term tests, first rides or detailed new-car road tests. Compare the Magnum with other submodels and find all you need for your car buying needs. It comes with comparable warranty coverage to other vehicles in its class. The Ford Shelby GT 500 and the Chevrloet Malibu are other vehicles that might interest you.

... right under the Firebird article? I love the Internet, but jeez. The Dodge Magnum isn't new, it's gone. And if my "car buying needs" included one, why would I be cross-shopping a Shelby GT 500 and a "Chevrloet" Malibu?

Who writes this stuff, and why wasn't he fired as soon as the economy tanked?

Jay
Jay Dork
1/27/10 2:07 p.m.

I like the one in that Hot Rod article a lot. It's black, it's got a big spoiler, a screaming bird on the hood, blacked out tails, and it looks totally badass. Too bad it's the size of a small truck.

If only they built a 3/4 scale version!

Cotton
Cotton HalfDork
1/27/10 2:41 p.m.

I drooled over that car when I got my issue of Hot Rod this month. I like the details like the Pontiac blue on the engine cover, shifter, and engine turned dash. The shifter in my 72 Firebird looks just like that one. If GM built that I would be very tempted to buy one.

wlkelley3
wlkelley3 HalfDork
1/27/10 6:22 p.m.

To me it looks like a dolled up Camaro with a shaker scoop and tail end treatment. Needs the split grill that differentiated the old Firebirds and Camaros. Like jrw1621 posted. The white example would work.

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