1970 Trans Am T/A Of The Week

1970 Trans Am T/A of the week.

The 1970 Trans Am is the most beautiful Trans Am ever created, well in my own opinion. From its rear-facing shaker scoop to its fender extractors and front and rear spoilers it is my personal favorite of all the Trans Am’s. I would even trade my own beloved ’76 Trans Am for a 1970 4 speed.

Now the 1970 Trans Am is better known as a 1970 1/2 because The second generation debut for the 1970 model year was delayed until February 26, 1970, because of tooling and engineering problems; thus, its popular designation as a 1970½ model, while leftover 1969s were listed in early Pontiac literature without a model-year identification.

And in case you are wondering the same goes for its Chevrolet cousin the Camaro.

There were two Ram Air 400 cu in (6.6 L) engines for 1970: the 335 hp L74 Ram Air III (366 hp) in the GTO) and the 345 hp LS1 Ram Air IV (370 hp in the GTO) that were carried over from 1969. The difference between the GTO and Firebird engines was that the secondary carburetor’s throttle linkage had a restrictor which prevented the rear barrels from opening completely, adjusting the linkage could allow full carburetor operation resulting in identical engine performance.

Now, remember the GTO was still Pontiac’s flagship muscle car so they could not have the Trans Am outperform it. But if you knew your way around cars you knew how to take the restriction off and get the full power of the motor.

One special note : 400 cu in (6.6 L) Pontiac Ram Air V V8 There are no known 1970 Trans Ams with the Ram Air V, no complete engines were ever sold or shipped to dealers, but the parts needed to build one could be ordered over-the-counter

In case your are wondering the 400 was the only engine option, then in 1971 the 455 HO would be the only option until 1974 when they added the 400 again and the legendary SD 455. Transmission options would be either the 3 speed Turbohydromatic or the 4 speed manual.

For the 1970 and 1971 model years, all Firebirds equipped with radios had the antennas mounted “in-glass” in the windshield.

As for color options, you got two Cameo White or Lucrene Blue many of us say Lucy Blue for short.

As for axle ratios The famed 12-bolt GM rear axle was only available in the 1970 Trans Am and was available with four popular axle ratios. The base axle ratio for all engine/transmissions except the 4-speed Ram Air IV was a 3.55:1 Teamed with the RA III, an automatic transmission, and air conditioning, a 3.08 axle was optional.

My Own Opinion.

To me the 1970 was the last year of any True Muscle Cars, by 1971 they were preparing all the cars to run on unleaded gas. Dropping compression ratios and adding emissions equipment and choking the dual exhaust systems.

Could you imagine the SD 455 with out emissions and a higher compression ratio. It would be untouchable but then again who knows because the GM brass could not handle having a car that would eat its beloved Corvette up. But by 1979 the 220 Horse Trans Am would accomplish that feat.

As much as I love my GM cars GM always had a special liking to the Chevrolet brand. Look who is still around today big surprise right?

The 1970 Trans Am was a beginning but also the last of its breed, in the later years The Trans Am would survive on its good looks alone with year after year of declining power and weight gain. And hanging in there when others quit, in 1974 Chevy would ax the Z28 until 1977 and then it was a cheap sticker option with only 185 horsepower uggh.

The only thing now to do is save what we can and keep them going. My ’76 was owned by a Smokey and the Bandit fanatic who took off the ’76 nose and replaced it with a ’78. And did the same with the interior and as good as it look I will return it back to its ’76 former glory soon as I get all the parts.

As I look at the many Facebook groups for Pontiac and the Trans Am/Formula I am very glad to see that there are others out there like me keeping the faith.