- Joined
- Dec 15, 2018
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- Website
- www.pontiactransam.com
Pontiac had a really bad habit of showing off cool Trans Am wagon concepts and then not putting them into production. We’re not saying that building more sporty shooting brakes would have kept the brand around, but we’re not not saying that, either.
Mecum’s January event in Kissimmee, Florida, features the opportunity to bid on one of the few examples of Trans Am shooting brake to ever make it past the clay model stage. This 1985 model is one of four built as test mules and saw use as a pace car for PPG and IMSA races. The rare bird is powered by the High Output 305 V-8 and a five-speed manual. Its engine bay looks fantastic, thanks to the full restoration by John Tiemann completed around 2007. Even the dual-snorkel air cleaner looks pristine. Inside it’s just as nice, as the gray leather interior appears showroom fresh.
As the car was never meant to be sold to the public, it was a part of the Pontiac Engineering Car Collection for years before entering the hands of private collectors. Its history is well-documented by the Pontiac Historic Services.
GM began dabbling with the idea of a shooting-brake F-body before the Camaro and Firebird were even launched. Clay models from 1965 show a slant-back version that looks like a ’67 Camaro from the rear-wheel opening forward. The trend continued in the second-generation F-body, this time more focused on Pontiac, with the Type K concept coming to life with a long roof and unique quarter and tail panel. It used twin, curved rear gullwing-opening side glass which allowed access to an ample cargo area.
The intense modifications required to transform the coupe to a wagon were too pricey to put into production at the time. However, the move to the third-generation F-body allowed the wagon conversion to become a simple matter of swapping the sloping hatchback glass for a flatter roof and more upright side glass. We approve. Westech Automotive uses the same idea to create the Hurst Hauler using a fourth-generation WS6 Trans Am.
While a 1985 Trans Am coupe in concours condition would be worth $22,900, this same car sold for $66,000 in 2007 as a part of the McMullen Collection and again for for $44,000 in 2017 at Barrett-Jackson’s Scottsdale event. If you want a truly unique Trans Am and occasionally need to haul some wood or go on a well-stocked family road trip, the Kammback might belong in your garage.
