This Pontiac Firebird Trans Am Has Been Transformed
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 21 มี.ค. 2016
- “I always wanted a V8, manual, rear-drive-and then there was Smokey and the Bandit,” says Gregg Hamilton, “When I moved here to America, [I realized] this is the only place in the world where I can really own one.”
Wanting something that’s American, New Zealander Hamilton settled on this Pontiac Trans Am-that is definitely not like any other. Using tricks learned from years of working with some of the best World Rally Championship teams in the world-including Toyota Team Europe and Prodrive-Hamilton’s Firebird has been given handling to match its extensive engine modifications.
“I needed something to do, so we found this car on eBay, and flew to Alabama, picked it up at the airport sight unseen…[and] it sort of just evolved into what it is today.”
From its wider bodywork, to custom engine computer, to fully revised suspension and brakes, it’s “about as quick as a Z06 Corvette,” he says. Sound far-fetched? As someone whose day job is spent building and testing Ken Block’s latest projects, we’d believe him.
“I like the mechanical-ness of it. I like the engine bay…I like that you can see the injectors, and plug for ECU…There’s no wheel arches in there, so you can see the uprights and the roll bar,” says Hamilton.
“It’s not always about the drive for me. It’s about the build of it. It’s about tinkering with it…”
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Drive Tastefully® - ยานยนต์และพาหนะ
Nice balance between keeping it looking original, and also making it look more modern.
I don't even like americans car, but this looks sick :D
got a huge respect for his life story, from wiping car windows of a rally car to being a mechanic tinkering with a full on rally car/gymkhana
I liked that this person made the Trans Am his own instead of fussing to keep it factory original.
Wow, what a gorgeous car.
I like the fact that he made something out of the 5.3 truck engine and not some million dollar crate motor.
daseteam the 5.3 architecture is LS based, but with lower compression which is why you can run boost through it and have no problems, still keeping reliability and driveability. LS architecture is king!
its more for the cast iron block
Strapping on a pair of Wu-Tang War Wistles to any motor will help performance. LS was just the logical choice...
@I speak The truth
why?
it's LM7. a LS based 5.3 iron block designed as a over squared truck engine for more torque on low rpm. yet people usually change the cams on them, so they go high rpm and gives more hp rather than torque, slightly more sporty. and because it is iron block than aluminium, you can abuse it without running into problem. 10 psi boost is nothing for this engine to handle. people run over 25 psi in them with stock internals
This dude is legit cool in person. He brings that to Cars and Coffee all the time. I got to ride in it. My favorite car out here.
The owner of this Trans Am is really nice. I feel so happy for him! :)
Mc Terb aswome car good job
He is very humble and down to earth. It's nice to see
Flared rear fenders look perfect now.
+J. Scaffnetti I didn't even notice they were bigger than stock until it was pointed out. That's the kind of subtle body mod I can appreciate.
+Whatareyoudoingyouidiot how could you not notice they're bloody huge!
+Whatareyoudoingyouidiot Do you understand the meaning of "subtle" at all?
It's impressive how in each video you guys manage to feature a person that's very passionate, coherent, well-spoken, and gentle. Plus great filming and editing. Kudos for it.
Really makes the old transam look good like that... well done to Gregg
One of my favorite cars of all time. Another great video!
It's got 79 tail lights but a 78 front end. A lot of cool little touches.
why wouldnt a 79 T/A have 79 tail lights? I would do the same though but the rear end of a 79 sorta matches the front with it ir u look at pics....cant have both i sppose
There is just something about driving a muscle car like this across the desert at that light. I can't quite put my finger on it, but this guy is living a dream of mine :( How I wish to build own and drive one of these beautiful things. Who ever said cars can't be art?
Yep... I thought the same!
Agree, that's what I'm shooting for just about done with my 76, looking forward to driving to Moab and around when it's done, nothing like it, and it'll be way better than before!
@livey oone photos.app.goo.gl/GCmbgz4RFsz9jpBH6
@livey oone I hope to have it back on the road this spring, can't wait!
"When I first time came to America I needed something to do and I found this car on ebay"
I wish I had that kind of job too!
I love this channel, it's not about the fastest cars but how much the owners love their cars and how unique they are and their passion.
Word of the week: mechanicalness
Love seeing the old steel still rolling
Seen this clip about a year ago & still entertaining to this day 👏
Great looking TA !
"It's a slippery slope, you gotta be careful how far down you go...."
That's life really. My house included.
Looks like a 1978 to me. 4 separated square headlights on a 1979... sharp ride!
Damn. You've got a job history I can only dream of. Great for you man. Wish I could be like you.
Not even a fan of the firebird, but damn does this look and sound so good. its perfect. the owner seems like an awesome guy too. what an awesome build
It looks so sorted. Those wheelarches and all that. Fantastic stuff.
East bound and down
Loaded up and truckin'
A'we gonna do what they say can't be done
We've got a long way to go
And a short time to get there
I'm east bound just watchin' the ol' Bandit run...
For me personally Trans Am is the iconic muscle car of America. Smokey And The Bandit was my favorite movie growing up and this Trans Am is absolutely gorgeous inside out, loving those mods !! :)
i had a subaru, i modified , my wife left me, then i was free...
+Tommie Reid
i was simply quoting a friend, the "" never made to the text
it doesn't matter how uninterested I initially feel about the car at the beginning of the video--each episode is filmed, edited, and produced so wonderfully that in the end, I love the car/story!
Never disappointed with these videos. All the other car vids are of them driving someone elses car for about 15 min. These vids talk to the owner and tells us about all of the work that has gone into it fantastic 👍 All day long
East bound and down, loaded up and truckin'
We're gonna do what they say can't be done
We've got a long way to go, and a short time to get there
I'm east bound, just watch ole bandit run
rofl. i was gonna do exactly what you did.
"When we get home, remind me to punch yo momma in the mouf."
+Beemerhead Fred.
fred needs some hamburgers hes looking real thin in the face
🤜👍😎
I always enjoy the videos done on the vehicles that I like, but I really appreciate and savor the videos of the vehicles that don't enjoy at all. Good job on that.
This is without a doubt the best looking Firebird I've ever seen. Very well done!
One of the prettiest Firebirds I've seen for some time, true "american dream"
BEAUTIFUL! Well done! WOW! This is what I call an incredible rolling resume!
This Trans Am is beautiful. Love the ride height, colors, lines and wheels. Timeless. I can now say it's on my forever list of cars I want to own and build, good work guys.
Beautiful video guys. The cinematography is stunning! I wish I had the time and budget to make my videos as good looking.
Try Gopro 5 with their brand new drone, Karma.
It's awesome!
You can unplug gimbal from it, and use separately.
And it's not so expensive.
Yeah it was announced today. Looks really slick!
Thanks for making videos with no cussing that I can watch with my kids on my lap.
That completely resonates with me. I love making things as well. Taking on a challenge and finding ways to make it happen, to fabricate stuff, to learn about metal work, wiring, electronics, suspension, etc... Great video by the way, beautiful Trans Am!
black & gold trans am was always the best
does it have a widebody kit or something? the rear fenders seem to stick out more than mine and it looks badass
This guy's so humble about his car. Best looking trans am around, beautiful build!
Always loved Trans Am and will forever... Nice ride that you have.
by far the best looking trans am i have ever seen
Best looking bandit car I have ever seen, beautiful job!
I am a big Trans Am freak myself!!!!!!!!!! Great job on the build bro and enjoy! Thanks for sharing! P.S. I wish it was mine!
Looove how this thing sits on it's wheels. What a pretty beast to look at. Well done and enjoy that machine!
This guy is so humble and understated but clearly he's brilliant! I bet it runs low 11s. And turns to boot. Wouldnt bet against it.
What a sound ! It's music to my ears
Needed someone from New Zealand to make this American car badass!!! Thumbs up
Congratulations 🎊 you built a real rare dream car, I love it! 😍❤️
Like how humble this man is. Specially talking about his passion.
Well done mate, best Trans Am I've ever seen
I have watched this video 4 times now it never gets old. That car is badass!
Absolutely gorgeous!
what a gorgeous machine .. this guy is basically living my dream, owning a 2nd gen trans am, working for a rally team and moving to work in japan ... good for him .. loved the video petrolicious !
The looks are definetly of my taste too. Stunnig car!
that is a relly nice trans am, i alwayse loved the 77 front end and the 79 tail light, you did a relly good job :)
Wasn't looking forward to this but glad I clicked. Great story and great production (again!).
You did everything right. I wouldn't even dare to touch it, it's so perfect!
Lovely!!! ...off to watch Smokey & the Bandit!!
Such a beautiful build, this has to be one of my favourites
What a nice job you've done mate! Loved this car as a kid and still do.
one of my favorite car of all times 1979 Trans Am I always wanted one and for that dude in the video you got a Kick-Ass ride like what you done to the car love it
I'd love to have a '78 TransAm. This is so clean and just plain cool.
Beautiful car! Excellent upgrades. Great job. I hope he and the car last 100+ years!
Not a car I would ever want to own, but it's his dream and it's always a delight to see someone who has successfully lived his dream. Thanks for another great video.
Bruce Boschek and why is that
I've always wanted a second gen Trans-Am myself, this guy took one of my dream cars and made it spectacular!
awesome looking car. the trans am looks best in black. '77 to '81 are my favorite years.
Beautiful cinematography. Reminds me of Knight Rider.
i love the way it sounds. excellent work!!
Beautiful, thank you.
it sounds so beautiful
Beautifully done sir!!!
Best looking Trans Am I've seen.
its beautiful man.....good job on the car...my dad had this car when i was growing up...good memories in that ride
I've always wondered you guys find so many interesting cars with so many interesting stories every week!
I love the look. very well built and I really love the film shots! wow...
The true spirit of building a car and loving it ,making your dreams come true ....
WELL done. Great looking!
Mr Hamilton is Ken Blocks Mechanic and fabricator! A true gentleman and automotive enthusiast
Had this car as a wallpaper for a while now. Great seeing it in a video, like it even more now!
Looks and sounds great! I have had one sitting up on blocks in my garage since 1996. Maybe someday I'll be able to redo it.
Absolutely love the car and the story! I fell in love with this car when I first saw it on SpeedHunters. Seeing the man behind it and it's story makes it even better
I just saw that motor and just said "Wow..." That is a beautiful car.
What a beautiful car..the rear end is so nice. And that engine wow.
Awesome story! Awesome car! Very tastefully done!! Great job!!! Thanks for the video!!
That's really bad ass. Looks great. Good job.
what a great looking car. great build
Great story, great execution on the car, and as always great cinematography.
That is a damn sexy car.
Beautiful car, looks and sounds great!
such a great build, love this car!
Car looks great and sounds sweet!
That's stunning / love those wheels / love the gold ...
Cool car! My favorite car of all time. You do very good videos!
What a nice guy. Great video, great car. Pleasure to watch.
This car is badass. I just love the wide stance and impregnated fenders in the rear.
You did a great job!Also my dream Car to build!Great build and great video brother!
This guy for days... excellent ride and attitude.
man, this must be such a joy to ride in. it looks fantastic.
That's a sick car, sir!!! And the mods are just awesome! :3
Nice jobs to have. Great job on the Trans Am. It's very, original...
That was quite honest! Love the guy, love the car!