Remember my gripe about modern cars having ridiculously long names? The Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat Redeye Widebody Jailbreak was quite the mouthful at seven words. But brace yourself for the third-gen Firebird, sporting a moniker that spans a whopping 11 words, spaces included.
Go ahead, give it a shot: Pontiac Firebird Trans Am 25th Anniversary Daytona 500 Pace Car Edition. Irritating, isn’t it? Yet, before you dismiss it entirely, let me delve into the powerhouse lurking beneath the hood. But before we get there, a brief history lesson.
The Daytona 500 Pace Car Edition is a fixture in Pontiac’s history. The original 1982 models are rare finds, but the 1983 replicas, like the one we spotted at an auction, are more common, with 2,500 units produced.
Each of these replicas came decked out with special features: abundant decals, a two-tone white/charcoal paint job, unique emblems, a full-body ground-effects package, and custom interiors. Our find, a 1983 model, includes all these features, along with T-top panels, a front air dam, pop-up headlights, quad exhaust outlets, and distinctive 17-inch basketweave wheels.
Inside, the Recaro front bucket seats, split-folding rear seats, Delco cassette stereo, power windows, cruise control, air conditioning, special mats, and a leather-wrapped tilting steering column create a comfortable and stylish interior.
Ordinarily, these cars would boast a small-block V8 with a meager 175 horsepower. However, our Firebird is a different breed, housing a 5.7-liter LS6 V8 from a first-gen Cadillac CTS-V. With 400 horsepower and 395 lb-ft of torque, the four-speed automatic transmission channels power to the rear wheels.
This special edition Pontiac promises an intriguing driving experience. The marriage of the LS6 engine with the vintage 4-speed automatic adds a unique twist. Despite the lack of documentation on this combination, there’s a certainty that the driving experience today surpasses its original state.
# FAQs
**Q1: How many units of the 1983 replica were produced?**
A: Pontiac manufactured a total of 2,500 units of the 1983 Daytona 500 Pace Car Edition.
**Q2: What are some distinctive features of this special edition Firebird?**
A: The car boasts special decals, a two-tone paint scheme, a full-body ground-effects package, T-top panels, pop-up headlights, and unique 17-inch basketweave wheels, among other features.
**Q3: What powers this Pontiac Firebird?**
A: Unlike its counterparts with small-block V8s, this Firebird is equipped with a 5.7-liter LS6 V8 engine from a first-gen Cadillac CTS-V, producing 400 horsepower and 395 lb-ft of torque.
**Q4: How does the LS6 engine pair with the four-speed automatic transmission?**
A: While not a widely documented combination, the LS6 engine mated to the vintage four-speed automatic provides an interesting and enhanced driving experience compared to its original power unit.
