GM managed to keep the Firebird 'cool' for it's entire run. My friend in highschool had a 1999 WS6 Trans Am in black with a 6-speed and that car was the coolest thing ever to us. I've never been in a car that got so much attention as that thing did back then.
That’s cool. I had a 2000 WS6 that really turned heads. But alas we’re talking about the vehicles of a different generation, and not the 1980’s version which is really what the video is about.
Man...Marc brings out so many nuances and facets in almost everything you look at; and this Gen III Firebird is no different. I never appreciated these styling cues until hearing you two. Thanks so much!
I love Marc's acerbic wit. He's a delight to listen to, pointing out the strengths--and yes, the weaknesses, also--of his own company's vehicles... Well done!
I've seen and admired cars like these since they were new. I love that Mark always points out design features and aspects that I had not noticed specifically but are integral to the overall look of the cars.
Back in the day it was kinda cool. They, even new had a cheap feel to them and it seemed to be the car with the shortest ownership durations around. Adam, you must be the record holder for the longest ownership! Mark is always a pleasure on your show.
Yeah I remember my mom, her older sister, and I think 2 or 3 of her girl friends that she hung around with the most all drove one of these F-bodies or Mustangs in the 80's when I was a kid (mom had a blue 87 base V6 Camaro hardtop), none lasted long and by the 90's they virtually all moved on to Camry's and Accords lol... but these were like the Dodge Chargers/Challengers of today back then for people who wanted cool-factor but on a budget, although these were way less sensible or practical lol.
There aren't many videos of early 3rd generation Firebirds. They seem to be less appreciated than those from the late 80's. Nonetheless, I enjoyed this educational walkaround on your beautiful 1982 Pontiac Trans Am. I'm looking forward to see more quality videos of it.
@@stoneylonesome4062wrong i have a kitt because i love the knight rider and its looks not because other people told me so besides how many kitts you see on a daily🤷🤷🤷
I thoroughly enjoyed the design analysis of one of my favorite designs, the 82 remake of the Trans Am. Looking at it today in 2023, I could see hints of the C4 84 Corvette yet to come.
I worked in a Pontiac dealership parts department when the 1982 firebirds came out. It didn't take long for the "Bowling Ball" wheel covers to come off. The replacement cost was $55. So we invented "The Kit" fix which consisted of 4- 1981 aluminum wheel center caps and 1 tube of silicone to hold them on for under $50. You never saw so many happy customers and without any comebacks or complaints. FUN DAYS!!!
Personally I, too, am a big fan of large American luxury cars and not usually of sports cars. That said, I agree that these 80s Trans Ams/Firebirds/Camaros are some of the best-looking cars ever made. They seemed to get everything right in forming what a sports car should look like and even outdo their 70s counterparts with a cleaner look. I actually think the Camaros are the best of this type, but this Trans Am is still a very attractive example. I also really like the interior for it's angular and symmetrical look, but yes, the fake screws are a little much. The real flaw of these is, of course, the malaise era engine. It's sad to think a typical chunky crossover of today would take this out in a race, but at least no crossover would ever win in sheer style. Oh, and glad to see Marc again. His insight and well-spoken commentary are appreciated.
Just a stunning design. I was utterly impressed with it upon its introduction (as I was with the 1970.5 model, which seemed an even greater departure from its predecessor) and remember being particularly smitten with the shape and execution of the glass hatch.
Very interesting. I’ve always found the Firebird much more aesthetically pleasing than the Camaro of this era. One of my favorite features of this car are the bowling ball hubcaps. I am sure that is influenced by the fact that was a huge Knight Rider fan!
Good lord this was entertaining. Nice watch on a Saturday evening Adam. Your friend's enthusiasm with the panache of Orson Wells is well articulated. Nice car too. Cheers..
I remember those commercials well as a kid. Back when they used to advertise how fast macho and cool a car was unlike today where the emphasis is on a family driving to the organic farmers market or similar
I can't help but wonder what things would have been like if Pontiac had gone ahead and continued the turbo 301 in the Trans Am. Those engines were notorious for oil leaking from the turbocharger main bearing and for their difficulty in getting parts but the performance would have taken it to another level.
@@haitianspaceprogram735 Come to think of it, you are right. He just wasn't wearing it in this one. He had a Casio digital watch a couple videos ago. That inspired me to find mine from High school. Had two calculator ones and an analog/digital.
Germany had some because of the Hoff! Night Rider. Mark can talk design. I enjoy hearing his thoughts as he diplomaticly works his way around a former GM product as a current employee. Cheers 🇨🇦
When I was 16 the highway between my town and the next town was closed while they removed the existing concrete and replaced with fresh. Near the end of the project the concrete was poured and dried and the only remaining step was painting the lines. I took my buddy’s 1982 black TA with the gold chicken on the hood down that unpainted highway as fast as I could make that car go, 6 miles with the foot to the floor the whole time. Turned around and did it again 😂
Love these videos. I grew up in the 80s. I was all of 8 years old when this generation trans am made its debut. I still love these cars, and although I've never owned one, someday I hope to make my dream a reality by buying one of these. Keep the content coming! Especially Trans Am content!
I miss my trans-am with the ws-6 and four wheel disk breaks. I do agree, the 82 was GORGEOUS! But, it was a mechanical dog. Mine had the recaro, the brushed chrome wheel caps, 4 wheel disk brakes, the 305 carb, and stick, t tops. I never put in a radio. It handled well, but the engine was detuned. I see this as more of an elegant night out car, than a muscle car. You know, the car came with a fashion catalog, where you could order jackets, and other fashion items. It was a neat period. Oh, when I was in East Berlin, the German version of the car, called the GTA, was parked in front of one of the most elegant Hotels allowed in East Germany. You would see them, when I lived in Europe (Germany). The so-called GTA was featured at the Le Salon d'Auto in Geneva with much fanfare. I still have those show catalogs. Oh, yours did not have the power mirrors. Mine did. The control was in the center console. I still have a feel for this car. I traded it in on the best car I have ever owned, an 88 Mazda MX6 GT Turbo, stick, which I still own to this day.
The gentle automotive jabs at each other is gold. Adam dishes almost as much as he's dealt but it's some good info on these cars. I was in highschool and these were cool on the road when new. They seemed really ultra modern back then. Camaros we're new too (and wedgy). Tons of them back then but hardly seen anymore. Forty years is a long time, in car terms.
I find my 92 Trans Am t-top, in dark green which I bought new, is just stunningly beautiful. Dark green paint, gold cross lace wheels, and that shape. I still just stare at it in amazement. I find every year and model of 3rd generation Firebird and Camaro have no equal for beauty and "coolness," in my eyes.
I could listen people yammer on about long low F-bodies all day. When your first car is a nice F-body, you always miss the feeling of sitting down in the car with the doors raking up around you. You felt like you were in something fast and special. I miss driving my 94' Camaro, the smell of the cloth interior, and the view out of the cockpit. Of course, definitely had a thing for the 82 TA and it's offset hood scoop, Night Rider or not.
I was living in Switzerland when I first saw one of these Firebirds. It really was quite a departure from previous models. It was like looking into the future. The wedge design appeared way back in the 1960s. You might consider reducing the length of your videos. Half an hour can be a commitment. I like your videos and it's always fun to take a walk down memory lane.
One of the good parts of this year TA is that you could cut out the catalytic converter and replace it with a straight pipe and cut the belt for the emissions pump, (not that I did it ;) and significantly improve HP.
It's great having Marc on to explain all the design elements that your looking at Pontiac took the same basic body as the Camaro and just made it look so much better Definitely have Marc back
Really appreciate Marc's insights on these classics. It would be fun to see him talk about more contemporary designs, or alternatively, get one of the old designers to review some of Marc's handiwork.
Great video guys! You even pronounced the word viscount correctly.just to add the front and rear bumper covers are urethane, not fiberglass.The aero dynamically functional rear wing was factory fiberglass.It is great to see the Trans Am retaining it's originality, not customized but factory original. I have owned my 1982 Trans Am since 1989, a Norwood Ohio build with lg4 and manual 4 speed,and the body flex can affect the mechanical clutch linkage enough to cause a bit of mayhem.I hope you fellows consider teaming up again in future videos
What a treat, I've been sick all day binge watching your videos, then on the same day you post a 3rd video on your channel of my favourite Trans Am! I hope one day you can record an episode with John Schinella and he can talk about the design and his design of the actual KITT car. From Car & Driver: "The first iteration of the TV vehicle was drawn on a napkin during a meeting between Schinella and a TV producer."
Great video, gentlemen! I was 11 yrs old when the 3rd generation Trans Am debuted. I was already a massive fan of the 2nd generation Trans Am due to Smokey and the Bandit. Knight Rider helped fuel my love for the 3rd gen... Smokey and the Bandit 3 did not. The 3rd generation was a beautiful car with some half assed engines. Fortunately, 1985 Trans Ams got the Tuned Port Injection V8 option, and the engines got better each year afterward. Later, I owned a 1994 Firebird Formula, and felt like the 4th generation was a much better quality car.
I always thought the '82 Trans Am used in Bandit 3 was the best part of the movie. I wonder what mods the production crew did to make the cars perform faster than they really were
Love it and I love the 82 trans am. You should bring back Mark for another video and do one driving around in this car and go over the handling, performance, and response time of the car and how it measures up in today's standards.
I agree! Bring Marc back. I had the displeasure of car-sitting a 1983 T/A for a friend on vacation in Europe in 1984. Loved the sound of the V8, so I took it for a literal spin one night. I was used to German handling cars, so I lost it in a curve and hit several trees and a telephone pole. It was a total loss. I still feel bad after all this time.
Always wanted a Trans Am since I saw Smokey and the Bandit as a Kid but ended up buying an 86 IrocZ Camaro as my first car and I Loved it, so this car brings back so many memories, not only inside but outside as well. Very Cool Car even with the low build quality.
22:39 I believe one of the contributing factors to the "slab sided" styling of Japanese cars at this time (prior to the late 1980s) was a relatively punitive local tax rate on cars more than 1.7m wide. Trying to maximise interior space while keeping within a strict external width limit naturally led manufacturers towards making a flat sided box.
Mark, it is always neat to hear your take on Adam’s cars and design in general. Adam, it would also be neat to hear some insight about the design aspects of some of your collection that didn’t make it due to financial constraints.
I owned both a Fox body Mustang and a third generation F-body at the same time during the 80's. No comparison, the F-body was the better car chassis and quality wise. Conversely, the Fox body was lighter and much easier to modify. It basically ran away from everything else with just bolt on's and spurred a dedicated aftermarket industry that made a lot owners very happy. Not many 3rd gen's left out there and their value as a vintage vehicle is skyrocketing.
Eh these were real bad quality wise the later ones (89-91)are a little better(gm started getting their act together). The fox mustangs were aweful too but the larger foxes (cougar, continental/lincoln mark 7)were much better i had a t bird that was daylights in quality over the mustang and the fbodies And performance stuff is ok, as a ton of sn95 parts will fit and a 302 and the lima turbo have plenty of support, also ls swaps.
My best friend bought this exact model, colour and all. We were in grade 12 and loved it so much. He kept it until it literally fell apart. The rear wing blew off on the highway and he needed to stick a coin into the shifter to change gears
Thank you for having Marc back Adam and like others, his observation of the B-pillar is a subtle detail that I hadn't noticed after 40+ years of looking at these F-bodies. So, any other performance cars you'd like to add to the fleet??
Great video, awesome series on the '82 Firebird T/A. Thanks, Adam and Marc. Growing up, this was my dream car too. Not so much because of Knight Rider but because of how the cars photographed (especially how the light would fall on the body surfaces) in contemporary magazine road tests and ads in C&D, R&T, etc. Notwithstanding the later performance / mechanical improvements, the '82 was always my favorite of them all due to its design purity and aspects that later went away like the "bowling ball" hub caps, "split grill" lower front bumper, and asymmetric hood scoop. The '84 20-slot concave "High Tech" rims were nice too but nothing will ever beat the "bowling ball" for once-in-a-lifetime design uniqueness :)
Thank you for bringing Mr. Marc back. I liked how he talked about the current styling trends compared styling trends back then. I liked how he touched on the details and explained things as well. I like the fact you mentioned the Lincoln Mark VII headlights that came out in 1984. GM indeed would experiment and they did come up with a lot of things. Thank you for having him back and explaining design.
An 82 Trans Am was my first car in 2002. I bought it at age 14.5 after washing dishes at restaurants on the weekends and all summer. It had the Crossfire 305. I tried the fuel pressure regulator mod but I'm not sure how much that really helped haha. Of course I had twin K&N filters but the heads on these engines didn't flow well so bolt-on mods don't give as much for gains. Even though these cars have no top-end, the tires would still spin off the line so that and the sound did it for me as a youngen.
The 416 heads of the LU5 are not the bottleneck. The manifold base was. The 83-86 L69 used the same 416 heads and were 14 second cars. Once you port the LU5 manifold base and ditch the LG4 manifolds and exhaust, they come alive. I’ve been daily driving early thirdgens for over 25 years. My current daily driver 83 T/A runs 14.40s and gets 25mpg on the expressway. I’ve owned a total of 16 thirdgen Trans Ams over the last 25+ years.
@Joes Crossfire Injection & Thirdgen F-body garage for the challenge now I almost want to buy a CFI 3rd gen and tinker with it properly. I think that would be super neat as I truly didn't realize their potential until you mentioned it.
I always liked those louvered rear light bars. Never noticed all the detail work on the rear bumper. Or why the front blinker integration was so angry!
Those designers can keep their integrated composite headlamps - I miss the sealed beams. I’m tired of headlamps that are expensive to replace and require perpetual maintenance to keep from becoming foggy.
Well Marc is quite a Character and I enjoy his narrations. The Firebird Trans Am did in fact evolve and improve both stylistically and mechanically, by 1989 and 1990 the car had reached a maturity and a full realization, refinement and embellishment of the design's inspiration, and that inspiration really was Outstanding, the car was original and it was beautiful; it expressed its performance intent with a dark enchantment that will be appreciated Forever. As a collector Adam you should search and acquire a 1990 Trans Am GTA; it was a half-year production, the L98 5.7 was improved, a new steering wheel with a driver's airbag was added, and all such cars in that model year received the N10 dual-cat exhaust system. No 5.7 cars in that model year were available with T-Tops, which is a good thing as the body structure benefitted. The lovely cross lace 16x8 gold aluminum wheels, 245/50 tires, and the refined WS6 suspension package with its faster steering gear, and the larger rear brakes that were added in 1989, advanced the cars traction and stability and sporting performance significantly. Additionally the interior of the GTA was artfully styled and sculpted, Elevated to match the beauty of the exterior. Also the wrap around rear deck spoiler greatly enhanced the profile line of the car and its aerodynamics, as did the ground affects package. Your '82 has a few nice elements, but really the later cars were far more appealing and worthy of collecting. Again Adam I want to see an interview with the head designer of this car. Thanks to both of the Gentlemen.
Many of the most successful car UA-camrs have entertaining side-kicks to add to the interest. Marc is very knowledgeable and fun on camera. Maybe consider making him a regular, if he is willing.
Great video! I have the same shift knob on my 1982 6000. My 82 has only 45k miles on it. No rust, and has original (pretty shiny still) paint surprisingly. Unfortunately, it has a lot of old person parking lot dents. I really want to fix the bangs and bruises, but they are only original once. I don't know what to do!
@@RareClassicCars have you had luck with PDR on old GM dispersion lacquer paint? The car was garage kept except for a 5-year stint after the original owner died. I don't know how dry the paint is. It is a bummer because the 5 years was enough to fade some of the blue plastics inside. Then again, my 1982 Malibu Classic has always been garaged (my dad bought it new and then it became mine in 1993) and has two pieces of now pink (originally redwood) plastic.
Great video. Marc is great. I had an ‘87 Formula back in the day. It was a rattle trap after 6 months. Very fun to drive though. It handled extremely well with the WS6 package.
The GM F Bodies are my all time favorite styling wise. They were such a leap forward compared to the ugly disco looking second gens. The Smokey and the Bandit Trans Ams are cool but performance was lacking and it's a very heavy car in comparison. I'm a big fan of the Camaro and Firebird of the 1980s simply because they're so unique and are so 80s looking. Also performance started to come back in a big way. By 87 you could get the Corvette 5.7 liter TPI fuel injection V8 which turned these cars into full out muscle cars again. I had a 89 RS Camaro convertible with the base 305 V8 and it definitely felt faster than my current 2004 Mustang GT 4.6 liter V8. I sure miss that car and hope to find another one some day.
I owned this very exact car. I encouraged a wealthy retired Dr friend in his 70's to buy this car new. I was with him when he paid cash for it, I was 15. Many years later, he gifted it to me. I always dreamed of driving his TA , but he never let me...until she was mine at age 30. So nice to see the old girl again in such fine shape. Glad someone appreciates what a head turner she was back in '82. One thing I hated was hair from my dog stuck to that black fabric on seats as everything else. 😒
Despite the Knight Rider popularity, the only thing I didn't like about this was no Pontiac V8 under the hood due to GM's corporate V8 engine sharing edict ( Pontiac with Chevy V8's, Buick with Oldsmobile's V8) Cadillac kept their 4100 V8 an exclusive given its sour reputation
The original plan was to hold over the turbo 301 from the '80 and '81 Trans Ams (hence the retention of the offset hood bulge) for some reason GM squashed the idea.
Another wonderful design review that pulls no punches -- I loved it! It would be great if you could get Mark and a peer of his from Ford's Design Center to review one of your cars together.
The '82 Firebird is my all-time favorite cars of the 80's from aesthetic design alone. Gorgeous, arrow like profile with the pop-up headlights and cool blacked out tail lights (before they ruined them in '86). It's a shame the 350 never found its way into the '82 design.
Love Marc's sensibility and sense of humor. Please have him as a guest again.
Always enjoy the videos you do with Marc. He is very knowledgeable and you guys play off each other very well.
agreed
Yes. I bet he says some funny shit too, but it seems to be too improper for Adam because he edits it out.
Do come again!
Yes, any video with Marc takes any already outstanding video from Adam puts the icing on the cake 🎂, like MY FACE!!!! HELLLLOOOOOOO!!!!!
What is Mark's accent?
Always nice to hear Marc's perspective of design themes
GM managed to keep the Firebird 'cool' for it's entire run. My friend in highschool had a 1999 WS6 Trans Am in black with a 6-speed and that car was the coolest thing ever to us. I've never been in a car that got so much attention as that thing did back then.
That’s cool. I had a 2000 WS6 that really turned heads. But alas we’re talking about the vehicles of a different generation, and not the 1980’s version which is really what the video is about.
Man...Marc brings out so many nuances and facets in almost everything you look at; and this Gen III Firebird is no different. I never appreciated these styling cues until hearing you two. Thanks so much!
Great to see Marc back again! I still remember enjoying his '62 Plymouth critique and learned a lot.
I love Marc's acerbic wit. He's a delight to listen to, pointing out the strengths--and yes, the weaknesses, also--of his own company's vehicles... Well done!
Marc is absolutely incredible. Please keep him coming back he is so knowledgeable. I could listen to him talk for hours!!
I ordered a new 1982 T/A when they were first introduced. White with blue interior. Great fun car with great looks! Kept it 10 years. Love Pontiacs!
I've seen and admired cars like these since they were new. I love that Mark always points out design features and aspects that I had not noticed specifically but are integral to the overall look of the cars.
Back in the day it was kinda cool. They, even new had a cheap feel to them and it seemed to be the car with the shortest ownership durations around. Adam, you must be the record holder for the longest ownership! Mark is always a pleasure on your show.
Yeah I remember my mom, her older sister, and I think 2 or 3 of her girl friends that she hung around with the most all drove one of these F-bodies or Mustangs in the 80's when I was a kid (mom had a blue 87 base V6 Camaro hardtop), none lasted long and by the 90's they virtually all moved on to Camry's and Accords lol... but these were like the Dodge Chargers/Challengers of today back then for people who wanted cool-factor but on a budget, although these were way less sensible or practical lol.
@@Stressless2023 Weren't mustangs built pretty well?
There aren't many videos of early 3rd generation Firebirds. They seem to be less appreciated than those from the late 80's. Nonetheless, I enjoyed this educational walkaround on your beautiful 1982 Pontiac Trans Am. I'm looking forward to see more quality videos of it.
Quite rare to see one that hasn’t been turned into kitt
I hate it when people do that. It’s like LS-swapping an original Nissan Fairlady. You’re just doing what everyone expects of you.
Really I have a 83 that’s about built to stock ish and a second that’s a roller
@@stoneylonesome4062wrong i have a kitt because i love the knight rider and its looks not because other people told me so besides how many kitts you see on a daily🤷🤷🤷
I thoroughly enjoyed the design analysis of one of my favorite designs, the 82 remake of the Trans Am. Looking at it today in 2023, I could see hints of the C4 84 Corvette yet to come.
I worked in a Pontiac dealership parts department when the 1982 firebirds came out. It didn't take long for the "Bowling Ball" wheel covers to come off. The replacement cost was $55. So we invented "The Kit" fix which consisted of 4- 1981 aluminum wheel center caps and 1 tube of silicone to hold them on for under $50. You never saw so many happy customers and without any comebacks or complaints. FUN DAYS!!!
The rear tail lights on that this Pontiac always kind of gave me the feeling of thrust exhaust of a spaceship.
Personally I, too, am a big fan of large American luxury cars and not usually of sports cars. That said, I agree that these 80s Trans Ams/Firebirds/Camaros are some of the best-looking cars ever made. They seemed to get everything right in forming what a sports car should look like and even outdo their 70s counterparts with a cleaner look. I actually think the Camaros are the best of this type, but this Trans Am is still a very attractive example. I also really like the interior for it's angular and symmetrical look, but yes, the fake screws are a little much. The real flaw of these is, of course, the malaise era engine. It's sad to think a typical chunky crossover of today would take this out in a race, but at least no crossover would ever win in sheer style.
Oh, and glad to see Marc again. His insight and well-spoken commentary are appreciated.
Always loved these! I think it's one of the best, most beautiful designs GM ever had! 👍
Just a stunning design. I was utterly impressed with it upon its introduction (as I was with the 1970.5 model, which seemed an even greater departure from its predecessor) and remember being particularly smitten with the shape and execution of the glass hatch.
Yes!!!! Any video with Marc, takes any already outstanding video from Adam, & puts the icing on the cake 🎂, like MY FACE!!!! HELLLLOOOOOOO!!!!!
Marc is always welcome on the channel 👍🏻👍🏻
I absolutely love the videos with Mark. Which is really saying something as I usually don't have much time for designers. But he is exceptional
Very interesting. I’ve always found the Firebird much more aesthetically pleasing than the Camaro of this era. One of my favorite features of this car are the bowling ball hubcaps. I am sure that is influenced by the fact that was a huge Knight Rider fan!
Good lord this was entertaining. Nice watch on a Saturday evening Adam. Your friend's enthusiasm with the panache of Orson Wells is well articulated. Nice car too. Cheers..
"We build excitement,
PontiAAAAAAAC!" 😂😂
I remember those commercials well as a kid. Back when they used to advertise how fast macho and cool a car was unlike today where the emphasis is on a family driving to the organic farmers market or similar
Bring him back anytime, we enjoyed the different perspective and knowledge.
Hey Adam, thanks to you & Marc for the scoop on the Trans Am!!! A good friend of mine bought a 84 red Trans Am new & she absolutely loved it!!! 👍👍🙂
I can't help but wonder what things would have been like if Pontiac had gone ahead and continued the turbo 301 in the Trans Am. Those engines were notorious for oil leaking from the turbocharger main bearing and for their difficulty in getting parts but the performance would have taken it to another level.
Adam, we really need to find you a Members Only jacket to wear in the videos.
he already does
@@haitianspaceprogram735 Come to think of it, you are right. He just wasn't wearing it in this one. He had a Casio digital watch a couple videos ago. That inspired me to find mine from High school. Had two calculator ones and an analog/digital.
Germany had some because of the Hoff!
Night Rider. Mark can talk design. I enjoy hearing his thoughts as he diplomaticly works his way around a former GM product as a current employee. Cheers 🇨🇦
When I was 16 the highway between my town and the next town was closed while they removed the existing concrete and replaced with fresh. Near the end of the project the concrete was poured and dried and the only remaining step was painting the lines. I took my buddy’s 1982 black TA with the gold chicken on the hood down that unpainted highway as fast as I could make that car go, 6 miles with the foot to the floor the whole time. Turned around and did it again 😂
Love these videos. I grew up in the 80s. I was all of 8 years old when this generation trans am made its debut. I still love these cars, and although I've never owned one, someday I hope to make my dream a reality by buying one of these. Keep the content coming! Especially Trans Am content!
I miss my trans-am with the ws-6 and four wheel disk breaks. I do agree, the 82 was GORGEOUS! But, it was a mechanical dog. Mine had the recaro, the brushed chrome wheel caps, 4 wheel disk brakes, the 305 carb, and stick, t tops. I never put in a radio. It handled well, but the engine was detuned. I see this as more of an elegant night out car, than a muscle car. You know, the car came with a fashion catalog, where you could order jackets, and other fashion items. It was a neat period.
Oh, when I was in East Berlin, the German version of the car, called the GTA, was parked in front of one of the most elegant Hotels allowed in East Germany. You would see them, when I lived in Europe (Germany). The so-called GTA was featured at the Le Salon d'Auto in Geneva with much fanfare. I still have those show catalogs.
Oh, yours did not have the power mirrors. Mine did. The control was in the center console.
I still have a feel for this car. I traded it in on the best car I have ever owned, an 88 Mazda MX6 GT Turbo, stick, which I still own to this day.
Always enjoy it when Mark offers his insights. More please!
I remember when these were new. I'm old.
The gentle automotive jabs at each other is gold. Adam dishes almost as much as he's dealt but it's some good info on these cars. I was in highschool and these were cool on the road when new.
They seemed really ultra modern back then. Camaros we're new too (and wedgy).
Tons of them back then but hardly seen anymore. Forty years is a long time, in car terms.
I find my 92 Trans Am t-top, in dark green which I bought new, is just stunningly beautiful. Dark green paint, gold cross lace wheels, and that shape. I still just stare at it in amazement. I find every year and model of 3rd generation Firebird and Camaro have no equal for beauty and "coolness," in my eyes.
I could listen people yammer on about long low F-bodies all day. When your first car is a nice F-body, you always miss the feeling of sitting down in the car with the doors raking up around you. You felt like you were in something fast and special. I miss driving my 94' Camaro, the smell of the cloth interior, and the view out of the cockpit. Of course, definitely had a thing for the 82 TA and it's offset hood scoop, Night Rider or not.
Great video- LOVED those as a kid!!! Marc’s commentary is awesome, things I never noticed. Thanks.
I was living in Switzerland when I first saw one of these Firebirds. It really was quite a departure from previous models. It was like looking into the future.
The wedge design appeared way back in the 1960s.
You might consider reducing the length of your videos. Half an hour can be a commitment.
I like your videos and it's always fun to take a walk down memory lane.
Ah, new terms to bandy about - "deep brow cluster'', 'viscount buckets' and 'malaise era limitations' - this channel is so educational! 🙂
Marc is not only knowledgeable, but hysterical.
Don’t let it go to his head
@@RareClassicCars he is the best
@@kevinbarry71 you got that right!!! He should have his own channel!!
One of the good parts of this year TA is that you could cut out the catalytic converter and replace it with a straight pipe and cut the belt for the emissions pump, (not that I did it ;) and significantly improve HP.
It's great having Marc on to explain all the design elements that your looking at
Pontiac took the same basic body as the Camaro and just made it look so much better
Definitely have Marc back
Excellent review. I especially like the lower C pillar element you pointed out. That was a nicely done piece of design work.
Really appreciate Marc's insights on these classics. It would be fun to see him talk about more contemporary designs, or alternatively, get one of the old designers to review some of Marc's handiwork.
Great video guys! You even pronounced the word viscount correctly.just to add the front and rear bumper covers are urethane, not fiberglass.The aero dynamically functional rear wing was factory fiberglass.It is great to see the Trans Am retaining it's originality, not customized but factory original. I have owned my 1982 Trans Am since 1989, a Norwood Ohio build with lg4 and manual 4 speed,and the body flex can affect the mechanical clutch linkage enough to cause a bit of mayhem.I hope you fellows consider teaming up again in future videos
What a treat, I've been sick all day binge watching your videos, then on the same day you post a 3rd video on your channel of my favourite Trans Am!
I hope one day you can record an episode with John Schinella and he can talk about the design and his design of the actual KITT car. From Car & Driver: "The first iteration of the TV vehicle was drawn on a napkin during a meeting between Schinella and a TV producer."
It took a few minutes because I wasn’t sure of Marc, but he won me over. Definitely have him around.
Great video, gentlemen!
I was 11 yrs old when the 3rd generation Trans Am debuted. I was already a massive fan of the 2nd generation Trans Am due to Smokey and the Bandit. Knight Rider helped fuel my love for the 3rd gen... Smokey and the Bandit 3 did not. The 3rd generation was a beautiful car with some half assed engines. Fortunately, 1985 Trans Ams got the Tuned Port Injection V8 option, and the engines got better each year afterward. Later, I owned a 1994 Firebird Formula, and felt like the 4th generation was a much better quality car.
I always thought the '82 Trans Am used in Bandit 3 was the best part of the movie. I wonder what mods the production crew did to make the cars perform faster than they really were
I love this, as I love all your videos with car designers.
I love this car, I had an 87 for nearly 20 years, just fun classic to drive. beautiful TA, take care of her.
That long front overhang killed my back and legs when working on them at the dealership.
Love when Marc dropps by!!!!!
It is a beautiful shape. I remember when these came out. They were knockouts.
Great episode, I really enjoy the styling lectures and this is a very handsome looking car!
Love it and I love the 82 trans am. You should bring back Mark for another video and do one driving around in this car and go over the handling, performance, and response time of the car and how it measures up in today's standards.
I agree! Bring Marc back. I had the displeasure of car-sitting a 1983 T/A for a friend on vacation in Europe in 1984. Loved the sound of the V8, so I took it for a literal spin one night. I was used to German handling cars, so I lost it in a curve and hit several trees and a telephone pole. It was a total loss. I still feel bad after all this time.
How did you explain it to your friend? 😂
Always wanted a Trans Am since I saw Smokey and the Bandit as a Kid but ended up buying an 86 IrocZ Camaro as my first car and I Loved it, so this car brings back so many memories, not only inside but outside as well. Very Cool Car even with the low build quality.
It's nice to some of Marks great indexing with the international styling from Wayne Cherry and Opel's Chamfered tail lights from the Monza.
22:39 I believe one of the contributing factors to the "slab sided" styling of Japanese cars at this time (prior to the late 1980s) was a relatively punitive local tax rate on cars more than 1.7m wide. Trying to maximise interior space while keeping within a strict external width limit naturally led manufacturers towards making a flat sided box.
Mark, it is always neat to hear your take on Adam’s cars and design in general. Adam, it would also be neat to hear some insight about the design aspects of some of your collection that didn’t make it due to financial constraints.
I owned both a Fox body Mustang and a third generation F-body at the same time during the 80's. No comparison, the F-body was the better car chassis and quality wise. Conversely, the Fox body was lighter and much easier to modify. It basically ran away from everything else with just bolt on's and spurred a dedicated aftermarket industry that made a lot owners very happy. Not many 3rd gen's left out there and their value as a vintage vehicle is skyrocketing.
Eh these were real bad quality wise the later ones (89-91)are a little better(gm started getting their act together). The fox mustangs were aweful too but the larger foxes (cougar, continental/lincoln mark 7)were much better i had a t bird that was daylights in quality over the mustang and the fbodies And performance stuff is ok, as a ton of sn95 parts will fit and a 302 and the lima turbo have plenty of support, also ls swaps.
It was actually a big improvement from my '76 Pontiac Astre. Referring to workmanship. Your friend has an impressive amount of knowledge.
My best friend bought this exact model, colour and all. We were in grade 12 and loved it so much. He kept it until it literally fell apart. The rear wing blew off on the highway and he needed to stick a coin into the shifter to change gears
Thank you for having Marc back Adam and like others, his observation of the B-pillar is a subtle detail that I hadn't noticed after 40+ years of looking at these F-bodies.
So, any other performance cars you'd like to add to the fleet??
I’d add some muscle cars if they were cheaper. But any of my 60s era big block sedans is faster than this trans am.
@@RareClassicCars
Yes, but they're land yachts.
Great video, awesome series on the '82 Firebird T/A. Thanks, Adam and Marc. Growing up, this was my dream car too. Not so much because of Knight Rider but because of how the cars photographed (especially how the light would fall on the body surfaces) in contemporary magazine road tests and ads in C&D, R&T, etc. Notwithstanding the later performance / mechanical improvements, the '82 was always my favorite of them all due to its design purity and aspects that later went away like the "bowling ball" hub caps, "split grill" lower front bumper, and asymmetric hood scoop. The '84 20-slot concave "High Tech" rims were nice too but nothing will ever beat the "bowling ball" for once-in-a-lifetime design uniqueness :)
Thank you for bringing Mr. Marc back. I liked how he talked about the current styling trends compared styling trends back then. I liked how he touched on the details and explained things as well. I like the fact you mentioned the Lincoln Mark VII headlights that came out in 1984. GM indeed would experiment and they did come up with a lot of things. Thank you for having him back and explaining design.
You were a really good sport about your car getting teased 😂 I like these TAs!
Welcome back Marc! I hope Adam pays you full market value for the professional grade tutelage you provide to him. 😁
I used to avoid the videos with Marc now I get excited when I see him
I really enjoy your collaborations with Mark. Hope to see him again soon. Great Firebird you have.
Wonderful expose of the B pillar rolling back!
Love it! Bring Marc back and review an 87-90 IROC.
Marc is a riot so much fun to watch.
An 82 Trans Am was my first car in 2002. I bought it at age 14.5 after washing dishes at restaurants on the weekends and all summer. It had the Crossfire 305. I tried the fuel pressure regulator mod but I'm not sure how much that really helped haha. Of course I had twin K&N filters but the heads on these engines didn't flow well so bolt-on mods don't give as much for gains.
Even though these cars have no top-end, the tires would still spin off the line so that and the sound did it for me as a youngen.
The 416 heads of the LU5 are not the bottleneck. The manifold base was. The 83-86 L69 used the same 416 heads and were 14 second cars. Once you port the LU5 manifold base and ditch the LG4 manifolds and exhaust, they come alive. I’ve been daily driving early thirdgens for over 25 years. My current daily driver 83 T/A runs 14.40s and gets 25mpg on the expressway. I’ve owned a total of 16 thirdgen Trans Ams over the last 25+ years.
@Joes Crossfire Injection garage I wish I tried that out.
@@GTStuning- Yep. There are guys running CFI cars in the 11s now. There are MANY ways to wake them up.
@Joes Crossfire Injection & Thirdgen F-body garage for the challenge now I almost want to buy a CFI 3rd gen and tinker with it properly. I think that would be super neat as I truly didn't realize their potential until you mentioned it.
Great to hear modern designers take on old cars. Thanks.
19:08 Those sunglasses that had those horizontal bars instead of lenses.
I always liked those louvered rear light bars. Never noticed all the detail work on the rear bumper. Or why the front blinker integration was so angry!
Informative and enjoyable. Good combination.
Those designers can keep their integrated composite headlamps - I miss the sealed beams. I’m tired of headlamps that are expensive to replace and require perpetual maintenance to keep from becoming foggy.
Well Marc is quite a Character and I enjoy his narrations. The Firebird Trans Am did in fact evolve and improve both stylistically and mechanically, by 1989 and 1990 the car had reached a maturity and a full realization, refinement and embellishment of the design's inspiration, and that inspiration really was Outstanding, the car was original and it was beautiful; it expressed its performance intent with a dark enchantment that will be appreciated Forever. As a collector Adam you should search and acquire a 1990 Trans Am GTA; it was a half-year production, the L98 5.7 was improved, a new steering wheel with a driver's airbag was added, and all such cars in that model year received the N10 dual-cat exhaust system. No 5.7 cars in that model year were available with T-Tops, which is a good thing as the body structure benefitted. The lovely cross lace 16x8 gold aluminum wheels, 245/50 tires, and the refined WS6 suspension package with its faster steering gear, and the larger rear brakes that were added in 1989, advanced the cars traction and stability and sporting performance significantly. Additionally the interior of the GTA was artfully styled and sculpted, Elevated to match the beauty of the exterior. Also the wrap around rear deck spoiler greatly enhanced the profile line of the car and its aerodynamics, as did the ground affects package. Your '82 has a few nice elements, but really the later cars were far more appealing and worthy of collecting. Again Adam I want to see an interview with the head designer of this car. Thanks to both of the Gentlemen.
Many of the most successful car UA-camrs have entertaining side-kicks to add to the interest. Marc is very knowledgeable and fun on camera. Maybe consider making him a regular, if he is willing.
I 2nd that!
Great video! I have the same shift knob on my 1982 6000. My 82 has only 45k miles on it. No rust, and has original (pretty shiny still) paint surprisingly. Unfortunately, it has a lot of old person parking lot dents. I really want to fix the bangs and bruises, but they are only original once. I don't know what to do!
Paint less dent repair
@@RareClassicCars have you had luck with PDR on old GM dispersion lacquer paint? The car was garage kept except for a 5-year stint after the original owner died. I don't know how dry the paint is. It is a bummer because the 5 years was enough to fade some of the blue plastics inside. Then again, my 1982 Malibu Classic has always been garaged (my dad bought it new and then it became mine in 1993) and has two pieces of now pink (originally redwood) plastic.
Great video. Marc is great. I had an ‘87 Formula back in the day. It was a rattle trap after 6 months. Very fun to drive though. It handled extremely well with the WS6 package.
Gr8 Stuff Marc and Adam...A Terrific-Looking '82 Trans Am, Guys.😊👍
My favorite part of the interior is the gauge cluster. I love how they sweep across the dash.
The GM F Bodies are my all time favorite styling wise. They were such a leap forward compared to the ugly disco looking second gens. The Smokey and the Bandit Trans Ams are cool but performance was lacking and it's a very heavy car in comparison. I'm a big fan of the Camaro and Firebird of the 1980s simply because they're so unique and are so 80s looking. Also performance started to come back in a big way. By 87 you could get the Corvette 5.7 liter TPI fuel injection V8 which turned these cars into full out muscle cars again. I had a 89 RS Camaro convertible with the base 305 V8 and it definitely felt faster than my current 2004 Mustang GT 4.6 liter V8. I sure miss that car and hope to find another one some day.
Great commentary from Marc
I owned this very exact car. I encouraged a wealthy retired Dr friend in his 70's to buy this car new. I was with him when he paid cash for it, I was 15. Many years later, he gifted it to me. I always dreamed of driving his TA , but he never let me...until she was mine at age 30. So nice to see the old girl again in such fine shape. Glad someone appreciates what a head turner she was back in '82.
One thing I hated was hair from my dog stuck to that black fabric on seats as everything else. 😒
Despite the Knight Rider popularity, the only thing I didn't like about this was no Pontiac V8 under the hood due to GM's corporate V8 engine sharing edict ( Pontiac with Chevy V8's, Buick with Oldsmobile's V8) Cadillac kept their 4100 V8 an exclusive given its sour reputation
The original plan was to hold over the turbo 301 from the '80 and '81 Trans Ams (hence the retention of the offset hood bulge) for some reason GM squashed the idea.
Another wonderful design review that pulls no punches -- I loved it! It would be great if you could get Mark and a peer of his from Ford's Design Center to review one of your cars together.
Well, Marc did work for Ford for quite a while at one point in his career, so he can comment on both styles!
@@RareClassicCars Cool, I did not know that!
I love Marc's colorful design descriptions! I agree with Marc, that interior design with all the fake screws is a "swing and a miss"!
A friend of mine calls the 82 Firebird the “Batmobile” Firebird because the composition of the front fascia is very similar to the 66 Batmobile
There's a guy to interview. Jerry Palmer head of studio 3 that did the F body and Corvette in the 80s and 90s.
The '82 Firebird is my all-time favorite cars of the 80's from aesthetic design alone. Gorgeous, arrow like profile with the pop-up headlights and cool blacked out tail lights (before they ruined them in '86). It's a shame the 350 never found its way into the '82 design.
One of my favorite cars ,the wiper on the rear window is interesting. Also we love our 2001 WS6 minus the problematic headlight doors
Love the sarcasm & honesty…A good looking, but flawed vehicle. You have to call ‘em as you see ‘em. Nice to see Marc again.
Beautiful cars. Thank You.
Great video guys!!