• The first Pontiac Firebird Trans Am with an LS1 engine narrowly avoided destruction.
  • Not only is it the first of its kind with an LS1 V8 but it’s also a GM development vehicle.
  • Despite its “junk” title, this one-of-a-kind Trans Am sold at auction for $60,000.

Few cars capture the bombastic spirit of muscle cars quite like the final Pontiac Firebird Trans Am. Recently, one of the most significant examples of this model changed hands. This particular car isn’t just the very first Trans Am to feature an LS1 V8—it’s also a factory test vehicle that narrowly avoided the crusher. Known as Project Gold Rush, its backstory is every bit as interesting as the car itself.

Every car company tests its cars before production and that’s what this was, a development test bed. In fact, under the hood, you’ll find a sticker that proves it. “Engineering and Dev Vehicle,” it says. Typically, these vehicles end up destroyed, but someone saved this one.

More: Brand New 1990 Camaro IROC Z 1LE Hidden In A Basement For 35 Years

GM’s Pontiac Firebird TA Factory Tester Escaped The Crusher And Sold For $60,000
GM’s Pontiac Firebird TA Factory Tester Escaped The Crusher And Sold For $60,000
GM’s Pontiac Firebird TA Factory Tester Escaped The Crusher And Sold For $60,000
GM’s Pontiac Firebird TA Factory Tester Escaped The Crusher And Sold For $60,000
GM’s Pontiac Firebird TA Factory Tester Escaped The Crusher And Sold For $60,000
GM’s Pontiac Firebird TA Factory Tester Escaped The Crusher And Sold For $60,000
GM’s Pontiac Firebird TA Factory Tester Escaped The Crusher And Sold For $60,000
GM’s Pontiac Firebird TA Factory Tester Escaped The Crusher And Sold For $60,000
GM’s Pontiac Firebird TA Factory Tester Escaped The Crusher And Sold For $60,000
GM’s Pontiac Firebird TA Factory Tester Escaped The Crusher And Sold For $60,000
GM’s Pontiac Firebird TA Factory Tester Escaped The Crusher And Sold For $60,000
GM’s Pontiac Firebird TA Factory Tester Escaped The Crusher And Sold For $60,000
GM’s Pontiac Firebird TA Factory Tester Escaped The Crusher And Sold For $60,000
GM’s Pontiac Firebird TA Factory Tester Escaped The Crusher And Sold For $60,000
GM’s Pontiac Firebird TA Factory Tester Escaped The Crusher And Sold For $60,000
GM’s Pontiac Firebird TA Factory Tester Escaped The Crusher And Sold For $60,000
GM’s Pontiac Firebird TA Factory Tester Escaped The Crusher And Sold For $60,000
GM’s Pontiac Firebird TA Factory Tester Escaped The Crusher And Sold For $60,000
GM’s Pontiac Firebird TA Factory Tester Escaped The Crusher And Sold For $60,000
GM’s Pontiac Firebird TA Factory Tester Escaped The Crusher And Sold For $60,000
GM’s Pontiac Firebird TA Factory Tester Escaped The Crusher And Sold For $60,000
GM’s Pontiac Firebird TA Factory Tester Escaped The Crusher And Sold For $60,000
GM’s Pontiac Firebird TA Factory Tester Escaped The Crusher And Sold For $60,000
GM’s Pontiac Firebird TA Factory Tester Escaped The Crusher And Sold For $60,000
GM’s Pontiac Firebird TA Factory Tester Escaped The Crusher And Sold For $60,000
GM’s Pontiac Firebird TA Factory Tester Escaped The Crusher And Sold For $60,000
GM’s Pontiac Firebird TA Factory Tester Escaped The Crusher And Sold For $60,000
GM’s Pontiac Firebird TA Factory Tester Escaped The Crusher And Sold For $60,000

This model was how Pontiac celebrated 30 years of the Trans Am. It built the car through Automotive Services Inc. and Mr. Gasket for the 2001 SEMA Show. For a time, it was also part of GM’s Heritage Collection. Notably, Westech Automotive did the work on the 6.3-liter LS1 V8. Fans will note that displacement isn’t what one would normally get in an LS1.

Instead, this engine is stroked with a forged crankshaft, pistons, rings, and connecting rods. It features CNC-ported Lingenfelter heads, stainless valves, and COMP pushrods. According to an article published in High Performance Pontiac in 2001, it made 436 horsepower (325 kW) to the rear wheels via a Tremec six-speed manual gearbox and rear-wheel drive.

A Car for the Track, Not the Street

While the Trans Am didn’t end up in the crusher, GM did brand it with a “junk” title ensuring that it would be nearly impossible to title for public use. We’re not saying it’s impossible to find a workaround, but those interested in it should be thoughtful that they might not be able to take this car onto public roads. Despite that, it seems like the perfect weekend track toy.

More: 1970s Pontiac Firebird Trans Am Gets A Stunning Restomod Overhaul From Retro Designs

After sparking plenty of interest, the Trans Am went up for auction on Bring a Trailer and closed at a hammer price of $60,000. Not too shabby of a price for a car that represents such a unique chapter in Pontiac and muscle car history, even if it can’t technically be registered or driven on public roads.

GM’s Pontiac Firebird TA Factory Tester Escaped The Crusher And Sold For $60,000
GM’s Pontiac Firebird TA Factory Tester Escaped The Crusher And Sold For $60,000
GM’s Pontiac Firebird TA Factory Tester Escaped The Crusher And Sold For $60,000
GM’s Pontiac Firebird TA Factory Tester Escaped The Crusher And Sold For $60,000
GM’s Pontiac Firebird TA Factory Tester Escaped The Crusher And Sold For $60,000
GM’s Pontiac Firebird TA Factory Tester Escaped The Crusher And Sold For $60,000
GM’s Pontiac Firebird TA Factory Tester Escaped The Crusher And Sold For $60,000
GM’s Pontiac Firebird TA Factory Tester Escaped The Crusher And Sold For $60,000
GM’s Pontiac Firebird TA Factory Tester Escaped The Crusher And Sold For $60,000
GM’s Pontiac Firebird TA Factory Tester Escaped The Crusher And Sold For $60,000
GM’s Pontiac Firebird TA Factory Tester Escaped The Crusher And Sold For $60,000
GM’s Pontiac Firebird TA Factory Tester Escaped The Crusher And Sold For $60,000
GM’s Pontiac Firebird TA Factory Tester Escaped The Crusher And Sold For $60,000
GM’s Pontiac Firebird TA Factory Tester Escaped The Crusher And Sold For $60,000
GM’s Pontiac Firebird TA Factory Tester Escaped The Crusher And Sold For $60,000
GM’s Pontiac Firebird TA Factory Tester Escaped The Crusher And Sold For $60,000
GM’s Pontiac Firebird TA Factory Tester Escaped The Crusher And Sold For $60,000
GM’s Pontiac Firebird TA Factory Tester Escaped The Crusher And Sold For $60,000
GM’s Pontiac Firebird TA Factory Tester Escaped The Crusher And Sold For $60,000
GM’s Pontiac Firebird TA Factory Tester Escaped The Crusher And Sold For $60,000
GM’s Pontiac Firebird TA Factory Tester Escaped The Crusher And Sold For $60,000
GM’s Pontiac Firebird TA Factory Tester Escaped The Crusher And Sold For $60,000
GM’s Pontiac Firebird TA Factory Tester Escaped The Crusher And Sold For $60,000
GM’s Pontiac Firebird TA Factory Tester Escaped The Crusher And Sold For $60,000
GM’s Pontiac Firebird TA Factory Tester Escaped The Crusher And Sold For $60,000
GM’s Pontiac Firebird TA Factory Tester Escaped The Crusher And Sold For $60,000
GM’s Pontiac Firebird TA Factory Tester Escaped The Crusher And Sold For $60,000
GM’s Pontiac Firebird TA Factory Tester Escaped The Crusher And Sold For $60,000
GM’s Pontiac Firebird TA Factory Tester Escaped The Crusher And Sold For $60,000
GM’s Pontiac Firebird TA Factory Tester Escaped The Crusher And Sold For $60,000
GM’s Pontiac Firebird TA Factory Tester Escaped The Crusher And Sold For $60,000
GM’s Pontiac Firebird TA Factory Tester Escaped The Crusher And Sold For $60,000

Credit: Bring A Trailer