Wednesday, July 31, 2024

Automotif DXXVII...


By the early 1990s, the third generation F-bodies from GM were getting long in the tooth. Work was already underway on their 4th gen replacements, but it was decided to give the Firebird and Camaro a light styling refresh to keep interest going until the new versions debuted.

Pontiac replaced the nosecone on the 1991 Firebirds with a urethane "droop snoot" reminiscent of the aero one on the Banshee IV concept car. The ground effects were also changed to match the newer rakish look. Personally, I don't think either was an improvement. The "lidded eyes" of the closed headlights on the '82-'90 Firebirds, done by Jerry Palmer and Bill Porter, were iconic.


While Firebird convertibles were still done at American Sunroof Corporation by performing roofectomies on regular t-top cars, dealers could order them from the factory as convertibles now, rather than having to special order them and have them drop-shipped to ASC.

For a 1991 Trans Am convertible, like the Arctic White one photographed here, you could get any engine you wanted as long as it was the LB9 Tuned-Port Injected 305, rated at 205 horsepower. The vast majority were 4-speed automatic cars, but a 5-speed manual was available.

This one was photographed in July of 2024 with a Nikon D700 and 28-200mm f/3.5-5.6 G zoom lens.


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