The ’70s marked a sharp decline in performance and a rise in environmental and safety concerns, affecting all American car manufacturers. As a result, those ’70s models weren’t especially cool or fast. But as they approached a new decade, most car companies tried to present new, interesting designs and concepts to spark more interest from the buyers.
The ’80s brought many influential models, but this list is not about those well-known machines. Instead, it will cover those forgotten models that didn’t stand the test of time that well. So get ready for a trip down memory lane to revisit the most obscure cars you won’t see on the road anymore.
40. Pontiac Trans AM GTA
According to most car fans, the Trans Am was the best version of the third generation Pontiac F-body. It debuted in 1987 and was the top-of-the-range Firebird on offer. This package was available until the 1992 model year and was produced it in relatively limited numbers. The secret weapons of the GTA were its engine and WS6 handling package.
The engine was the 350 V8 with 210 HP in the early models and up to 245 HP in later versions. The rumor was that the engine was the same as in the Corvette since it used the same TPI fuel injection system and displacement, but sadly, that wasn’t the case. The Corvette used aluminum heads while Pontiac used iron cast ones. However, power and performance were similar. The WS6 package offered unmatched road holding and braking capabilities since it consisted of four disc brakes and a stiffer suspension. It had stronger sway bars, special wheels, and performance tires as well.