Q: |
What makes this the 30th Anniversary for Pontiac's
TransAm? |
A: |
Thirty years ago, March 1969, the original T/A made its
debut at the
Chicago AutoShow. Initial sales of the WS4 Option (TransAm) that year were
disappointing, with only eight convertibles assembled. All the orginal
T/As were Cameo white with Lucerne Blue Stripes on top of a ramair
hood. |
Q: |
How many TransAms have been built up to 1999? |
A: |
|
|
| Year | Production | Year | Production | Year | Production | Year | Production |
| 1969 | 697 | 1977 | 68,744 | 1985 | 44,028 | 1993 | 5,121 |
| 1970 | 3,169 | 1978 | 93,341 | 1986 | 48,870 | 1994 | 10,672 |
| 1971 | 2,116 | 1979 | 117,108 | 1987 | 32,890 | 1995 | 13,345 |
| 1972 | 1,286 | 1980 | 50,893 | 1988 | 20,007 | 1996 | 7,936 |
| 1973 | 4,802 | 1981 | 33,493 | 1989 | 15,358 | 1997 | 8,656 |
| 1974 | 10,255 | 1982 | 52,962 | 1990 | 2,477 | 1998 | 13,459 |
| 1975 | 27,274 | 1983 | 31,930 | 1991 | 5,000 | 1999 | ??? |
| 1976 | 46,704 | 1984 | 55,374 | 1992 | 1,253 | 2000 | Pray |
|
| |
Q: |
What other Anniversary Edition TransAms have Pontiac
produced? |
A: |
The 1969 T/A was the original TransAm. 1979 brought the 10th
Anniversary
T/A, which is the only one not done in white exterior. Five years later,
1984
brought probably the most forgotten of all Anniversary editions, the
15th Anniversary
T/A. Five more years, and Pontiac produced probably the most exciting of
all
the Anniversary T/As, the 1989 20th Anniversary Turbo T/A that was used
to pace
the Indy500. 1994 brought the first installment of a 4th Generation
anniversary F-Body with
the 25th Anniversary T/A, that paced the Daytona500 unmodified with its
powerful LT1.
And now, the present, 1999, and the best T/A ever, the 30th Anniversary
WS6 T/A. |
Q: |
Who handled the production of the 30th Anniversary T/A? |
A: |
Pontiac, combined with the
help of American Sunroof Company
(ASC) built the 30th T/A WS6. Both plants are located in the town of St. Therese
in Quebec, Canada. |
Q: |
Why did Pontiac choose to use the WS6 platform to use on the
30th T/A? |
A: |
Pontiac choose to use the WS6 for a few main reasons. ASC
responded with
a reasonable bid on the project for starters. Second of all, the '99 WS6 is
probably the most
attention grabbing car on the road with its evil looking ramair hood. The
ramair hood was also
needed as a tribute to the original 1969 T/A. As we well know, this may be
one of the last years
for the T/As and Pontiac decided to make the possible last Anniversary
edition the best ever! |
Q: |
Was there a version of the 30th Anniversary T/A available in
a Firehawk by Street Legal Performance(SLP)? |
A: |
No, SLP did not build any versions of the '99 30th T/A in a Firehawk.
ASC was awarded the contract by Pontiac and GM to build the 30th T/A. |
Q: |
How many 30th T/A WS6s were built? |
A: |
The run of limited edition 30th Anniversary T/A WS6s is a very
limited run of only 1600 cars. 1065 Coupes with 65 of them going to Canada were
built. 535 Convertibles with 35 of them going to Canada. Of those 1600 cars, 10
cars were used as public relations cars (5 coupes/5 convertibles), 38 central
office cars (10 coupes/28 convertibles), and 30 were used as official cars for
the 1999 Daytona 500 (30 convertibles). |
Q: |
Did the 30th T/A WS6 pace the Daytona 500 in 1999? |
A: |
Yes, on February 14th, 1999 the 30th Anniversary T/A WS6 leading
the pack around the track for it's 41st annual running. A Firebird has paced
the race 13 previous times to this one. Also on hand at the track during the
weekend, were 30 convertible 30th T/A WS6 cars done up in the pace car package that
were used to escort the drivers around the track. |
Q: |
How did one partake in ordering a 30th T/A WS6? |
A: |
Dealers were allocated cars based on their previous few year's
sales of firebirds. Approximately 800 US/Canadian dealers will recieve at least
one of them. Some large volume dealers were allocated up to 15 units. A potential
consumer really couldn't walk in and place an order for one, but only find a dealer
with an allocation for one and reserve it so to speak. |
Q: |
When did the car debut to the public and where? |
A: |
The 30th Annniversary T/A WS6 debuted to the public
for the first time at the Chicago Autoshow on.... |
Q: |
What did the 30th Anniversary Option Package contain? |
A: |
RPO Z4C, otherwise know as the 30th T/A Package, contained
a multitude of things. First off all Z4C options were placed on top
of the base 30th vehicle, an Artic White WS6 T/A Ramair car. The most notable
off all the contents of this package were the 17" high polished aluminum wheels
with medium blue tint. Dual two-tone blue stripes run the length of the car
from the decklid to the front of the hood the end in the Pontiac screaming
chicken. Convertible owners get a beautiful navy blue ragtop only available
on the 30ths. White leather prado seats with blue stitching help provide a nice
cabin for the driver with specially embroidered smooth headrests. White "perf"
vinyl door inserts with blue thread topstitching set the door off. There are
specific 30th T/A floor mats in the front, and for the coupes, there is a
special leather cargo mat with beautiful embroidery. On the black rear trim
panel is a white bird with TransAm lettering specific to only the 30th T/A.
A unique blue WS6 emblem adorns the right rear of the car. Each door of the
car has a 30th Anniversary badge on it; with cloissone blue, white bird,
and chrome graphics. Each car also recieved a specifically numbered (4 digit)
plaque underneath the radio above the additional accessory outlet. |
Q: |
How could you get a 30th T/A WS6 optioned? |
A: |
Most 30th T/A WS6s are almost exactly alike, and are fully
loaded. There were; however, a few options: Traction Control System, Hurst
Shifter for the six-speed, and a 12 Disc Cd Changer. Those were the only
options available. |
Q: |
Does the 30th T/A WS6 have any engine or horsepower modifications
to set it apart from the other models? |
A: |
The 30th T/A WS6 did not recieve a blueprinted engine, turbo,
or any type of engine modifications to set it apart from the other models of
Firebirds. The 30th T/A WS6 is rated at 320hp and 345lb-ft of torque like
all WS6 models. The only Anniversary Edition to recieve special treatment in
the area of horsepower was the '89 20th Anniversary T/A. It recieved a 3.8L Turbo
V6 that was rated at 250hp. |
Q: |
What was the approximate MSRP for a base 30th T/A WS6? |
A: |
The base price of a 1999 T/A is $26,260/$30,330. The required WS6
package was $3150 and the actual 30th Anniversary package (Z4C) was another
$1575. All 30ths came with the optional custom bucket seats with adjustable
lumbar which was a $155 option, so your total without destination comes to
$31,140. That price would be for the cheapest available 30th T/A WS6 coupe.
For the cheapest available 30th T/A WS6 convertible your price would be $35,210.
If you added the hurst shifter, or traction control, or the 12 disc CD changer
the price would of course be more expensive. |
Q: |
Has the 30th T/A WS6 been in any magazine articles or newspapers? |
A: |
Yes, the 30th T/A WS6 has been covered quite a bit so far.
Here is a small listing of all it's appearances so far:
Autoweek; January 11-17th 1999, Page 19
Middletown Journal; January 27th, Auto Section
GM Edge; March 1999, Pages 20 & 21
Popular Mechanics; March 1999, Pages 6 & 38
Popular Hot Rodding; March 1999, Pages 50 - 52 & Cover
Pontiac Enthusiast; March/April 1999, Pages 4 - 6 & Cover
High Performance Pontiac; April 1999, Page 11
Pontiac Enthusiast; May/June 1999, Page 22
High Performance Pontiac; June 1999, Pages 3 & 11 & 42 - 48 & Cover
Road & Track; July 1999, Pages 52 - 53
Muscle Car Review; July 1999, Pages 59 - 62
Pontiac Driving Excitement; Spring 1999, Pages 13 - 16
Galls Public Saftey Equipment Catalog, August 1999, Cover
Car & Driver; August 1999, Pages 52 -56 & Cover
Wallstreet Journal; August 20th, Weekend Section
Automobile "Pilgrimmages" Insert; September 1999, Page 15
Car Collector; September 1999, Pages 28 - 32 & Cover
MotorTrend; September 1999, Page 105
High Performance Pontiac; December 1999, Pages 8 & 23
High Performance Pontiac; February 2000, Page 10
|
Q: |
Will these cars be collectible and worth money in the future? |
A: |
Cars are a terrible investment in most cases. However, some
of the 1969 T/As today are highly sought after colletor cars. Only 697 were
built however, and only 8 convertibles exist. Some collectors surely bought
up 30th T/A WS6s to park and store and never drive, which may be worth something
some day down the road. |
Q: |
Have there been any recalls specifically on the 30th T/A? |
A: |
Yes, P99026 is the campaign bulletin to correct some early number cars
that were assembled with the incorrect Firebird emblem on the rear center panel. You
can see a copy of the recall campaign here and here
. You can also view the difference
in the two panels here. |
Q: |
What is the 30th owner's manual supplement I keep hearing about? |
A: |
It's a little folder, done up in blue and white with the 30th logo
on the cover. When you open it, you have a pen and tire guage done up in black
with "30th TransAm" on it. There is also a neat little laminated business card
with graphics on the front, your Vin#, Car#, and horsepower/tq charts on the
reverse side of it. Also included was one page ads for Motorsports Designs and
Halo. You can view some pictures of it here.
|
Q: |
Were there any special edition, prototype, or one-off cars made? |
A: |
Yes, there are probably more then we know of, but here is one we
know of for sure. There is an "inverse" 30th running around inside of GM. It is
rumored that Fred Simmons (Head of Pontiac Racing) is driving it. It is a Navy
Blue Metallic car with white stripes, inverse badges, white rims, special interior,
and a white convertible top. The car was a M6 without Hurst. The car is a 1 of 1. The
car is now rumored to be destined for the official NHRA car for '00 that will be at
all the events. You can view some pictures of it in the gallery.
|
Q: |
Is the Daytona Pace Car graphics package available for purchase? |
A: |
The package was originally available through
Motorsports Designs for roughly $440.90 and $5.50 shipping. You can view their ad here.However,
their contract with Pontiac ran out and you can no longer get this decal kit from them. |
Q: |
Where can I find 30th Anniversary clothing or accessories or
collectibles? |
A: |
Originally, the only company offering anything is the Ha-Lo Creative
Concepts. There phone number is 1-800-735-0432 and their email is
pontiacexcitement@halo.com. They were offering a line of clothing and had a 30th Anniversary car
cover available also. You can view their ad here. Halo has sold out of all
merchandise and does no longer offer any 30th T/A items for sale. |
Q: |
Was there a special brochure for the 30th T/A? |
A: |
Yes, a small version brochure with pictures of the 30th was available, but the went
quickly, as people flooded dealers with requests for them. You can view some pictures of it here and
here. |
Q: |
I've heard the 30th T/A was used in several raffles and contests around
the US, is this true? And if so, do you have any other information on them. |
A: |
Yes, I know of at least 2 or 3 raffles through magazines or ads and 1 raffle that
was in a casino giveaway. I have got information on a few of them. One raffle was put on by
Campbell's Soup, K-Mart, and Pace Picante. The eventual winner sent in 5 entries on a 3x5 costing
him nothing other then postage in August of 1999. In October of 1999, the would be winner received a
FedEx informing him he might be the eventual winner. After notarizing various document and about 3 weeks
he recieved a phone call informing him he was the grandprize winner! The car is in the #1500s and is
a six-speed coupe. The other raffle I know of was put on by Jimmy Dean Sausage. They were raffling off
a few regular TransAm's, the 30th T/A, and some other small items. The would be winner mailed in
3 entry forms costing a whopping 99 cents. They did the drawing at a racetrack live in Ocotober and
a representative of Jimmy Dean called from the racetrack to inform the winner. The car was in Alabama
then and has been shipped all over on it's way to the pontential owner and is still in limbo because of
paperwork as of Christmas 1999. The car is below #50. |
Q: |
Are there any posters available with our cars on them? |
A: |
Yes, there are currently 2 that I know of. You can see pictures of them
here and here. |
Q: |
The screensaver Pontiac had on its website, is it available anywhere? |
A: |
Yes, you can get it right here. |
Q: |
Are there any diecast versions of our car out on the market? |
A: |
Yes, there is a 1/18 version of both our car and the inverse 30th done by
Yat Ming company. You can see a picture of the regular 30th here and the inverse car
here. Johnny Lightning released a 1/64th scale version of the car in
their "Classic Gold" series 2 release 13. The car was under $5. Here is a picture of it. There was also a limited edition run of 3000 of Warren Johnson's NHRA dragster that was
done up in a 30th T/A paint scheme. You can see a picture of it here. |
Q: |
Has anyone made a 30th T/A to use with the PC Game Need For Speed? |
A: |
Yes, as a matter of fact, there is a great looking one that was done
by "Firebird". You can view a picture of it
here and download it here. |
