Can the Car That Inspired Knight Rider Really Be So BAD? 1988 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am

American sports cars from the 70s and 80s have a terrible reputation in Europe, today I drive a Pontiac Firebird and find out. Also we talk a little about the links to the iconic KITT, KNIGHT RIDER car that was based on the third generation Trans Am.

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[coldlakealta]

I knew the world was about to change when my blind date picked me up in her black Firebird with a gold screaming chicken decal on the hood (bonnet). No fool am I, we're still together. Blame it on the screaming chicken.

[Baskan.]

I don’t care about its performance, handling or poor build quality. The sleek and beautiful design, the v8 engines with magnificent sounds, t-tops and the pop-up headlights make this car a real legend for me.

[fransb]

I don't care how bad they are in real life. That red woosh-woosh light and the asymmetrical hood vent still awaken the 8-year-old in me. It was THE car. Period.

[CaptianInternet]

When I learned that every Golf GTI is faster than K.I.T.T. My childhood ended and I became a serious and bitter man.

[imdbtruth]

Sexy car! When I was in high-school my Dad had a maroon 1989 GTA in mint condition, and my Dad was such an awesome guy he would let me drive it as much as I wanted. Thanks Dad! I miss that car, but miss you so much more! ❤

[christopherlaflam]

These cars were designed to do one thing - make you feel good while driving it! I bought a 1992, the last year of this generation, and its perfect! 32 years and i still smile when im about to drive it! Handles like a dream, you cant beat the sound, feeling, and torque of a V8! Its an fun fun fun car to drive.

[rafaellastracom]

Say what you want about the quality but in 1989 driving around in a new GTA made you the king of the road in the US. Aesthetically gorgeous even today.

[peterdevreter]

Don't care if it's plastic Americana. Ad a kid I was in love with this shape and still am :) together with the 78 trans am!

[MadBonkersYes]

I have a lot of experience with third-gen F-Bodies, and they’re definitely not junk. Their biggest weakness is the flexy bodyshell, but that’s easily remedied with subframe connectors. With the right tires and fresh shocks and springs, they’re surprisingly balanced, grippy and handle well—as long as the road is smooth. They don’t deal with bumps well at all.

There’s also a cable connected to the throttle body that lets you adjust the shift points. That said, even with adjustment, they tend to shift at lower revs by default.

[Dakiraun]

As a guy born in the mid 70s, the 1982 Trans Am was SUCH a beautiful surprise to see on the roads. In the early 1980s, most cars I saw as a kid on the road were from the 1970s - giant, boxy and not all that styled. The '82 Trans Am looked like a space ship by comparison, and of course, the even more sleek Knight Industries Two Thousand take on it made it stand out even more so. "Performance" certainly didn't sell cars back then because it just didn't exist in anything other than super-cars. I think the look and uniqueness of them was a primary reason people bought them, but yeah, they were typical GM quality so... wasn't long before you saw some pretty rotted out and rough looking versions of them too. It's nice to see one restored and mildly upgraded to show people who neat they once were.

[matthewgodwin]

It's impossible to be objective about the Firebird, because it isn't just a car. For an entire generation, myself included, the Firebird is both a Superhero, and a fully accredited Film Star. Whenever I look at one, I see KITT, my childhood hero, and that's why I can't criticise the car. Because to do so would be churlish.

[hardmurakami]

Imagine these days any brand releasing 200-300kilos lighter car than previous model

[simonacuthbert]

You're a brave man, Jack. Never forget that you should never hassle the Hoff...

[BadMonkeyTouring]

I had one of these in the late 80s and loved it. It had a 5.0L engine and Recaro seats. It was black, but didn't have the Firebird on the hood.

[eggmangoogoogajoob]

Spring Break. 1990. My best friend and I flew from Michigan to Orlando, both 20 years old, and were picked up by 2 other buddies, both 23, in a very similar Trans Am GTA...We barely fit our luggage in the hatch area, then squeezed into the cramped back seat in excited anticipation of the ride to the Daytona Beach condo that awaited us. The cruise across the Florida peninsula that February evening is branded into my memory for eternity. We Were Badasses! I will never forget racing a red Mustang 5.0 side by side up i4. The GTA couldn't keep up, but it didn't matter. I also recall Rob the 23 year old 'old man', playing INXS on his CD changer! First car ride ever with a CD PLAYER! not to mention a changer. Such a cool memory of a SWEET ass car and unforgettable ride!!!

[malcolmpeake]

I had an 84 Trans AM, it takes genius to make 5.0L so anemic, it had a four barrel carb and the only thing that got faster when the secondaries open was the fuel gauge.

[ryanmccormick]

Knight takes me back, I used to have sleep over at my Grandmother's and we always watched the show together.... I love this car because it transports me back to those happy times!

[zogzoogler]

Steering box! It still amazes me the weird nature of 80s cars, futuristic wedge shape, digital clocks, loads of plastic buttons but underneath a solid axle and a steering box.

[originalsubwayjones]

I used to watch your 308 videos, wow, a lot has changed. I had an 83 Z28 for 3 years, loved it. Your criticisms were spot on. That car will always have a special place in my heart.

[bluecar]

The styling on 3rd gen firebirds are timeless. How you can hear the RPM rise on 2-3 shift @ 4:00, transmission has issues. What a beautiful car.