Muscle cars have been the home of larger-than-life personalities since time immemorial. Others instantly took on a celebrity status, becoming a symbol for speed, rebellion, and American auto culture. They are still in the news at car shows and in films and online videos, and on social media feeds, decades after their manufacture. The Mustang, Charger and Camaro were always there, visible to everyone through generations of enthusiasts. But not all high-performance vehicles made it to stardom.

There were a few truly special vehicles that went under the radar, yet provided truly unforgettable driving experiences and innovative engineering. They were frequently made in small quantities, sold to serious collectors and enthusiasts instead of the general public, and eclipsed by the competition in terms of sales or media coverage. In time, these machines became a hidden treasure, known to few, except serious collectors and longtime gearheads. Today’s youngsters are sometimes amazed at the sophistication and power of some of these underwhelming muscle cars.

One such obscure tale is of the 1970 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am 4-Speed, one of Pontiac’s best offerings. This car came out in the middle of the muscle car craze with big power, strong looks and engineering that put it one step ahead of numerous competitors. But it wouldn’t ever have the same level of fame as some of its competition. But there is another intriguing Pontiac creation which is the ‘mysterious 1977 Pontiac Phantom concept car,’ a dramatic design study that represented the last creative vision of one of General Motors’ greatest designers. These two machines tell a different aspect of Pontiac’s history that is rarely told.

1. The 1970 Trans Am is a strange timing

The Pontiac Trans Am 1970 was released in a tumultuous time of the American muscle car. Pontiac had done a complete makeover of the Firebird for 1970 and it now had a second generation look and some significant engineering improvements. The car achieved a perfect balance between classic muscle-car aggression and improved handling and styling. Sadly, it was the timing that got it wrong; first, its predecessors in the early 1960s were all hugely popular, at least in the popular memory, and later, the Trans Ams were the big stars thanks to Hollywood and pop culture emphasis.

Why The 1970 Model Was Overlooked:

• The film was released in the era of change in muscle cars.
• Dominated by more ancient classic myths.
• Later models became popular in Hollywood.
• Sitting in an in-between place, between two generations.
• Hidden gem among performance cars.

It was an automotive ghost in many ways, as it had many of the features that are the hallmarks of the sportscar today, but were overlooked during its time. It remained a mystery why the car didn’t sell, but, even with the performance and engineering benefits it had over many of its competitors, it faded quietly from the background.

That’s a reputation lost that is now a plus to the car’s collectability and popularity today. A 1970 Trans Am is an undiscovered chapter in muscle-car history that many people missed for many years. Rare and as unique a car in the evolution of Pontiac continues to make it one of the most interesting performance cars of the era.

2. The Power of Pontiac: The GMC Sierra, Chevrolet Impala, and Chevrolet Malibu

Just two decades before the muscle-car wars, many carmakers were almost solely concerned with raw horsepower and drag strip supremacy. The 1970 Trans Am marked a change of course for Pontiac, with the creation of a performance car that seemed to offer an even more satisfying balance and performance than simply “fast”. The engineers wanted the car to be capable of navigating tight corners with a sure hand, but still provide plenty of power and brisk performance.

The engineering behind the Trans Am:

• More balanced handling than raw acceleration.
• The suspension has been made beefier to enhance its handling qualities around corners.
• Excellent braking capability when they are pushed.
• Stable chassis tuning for refinement.
• Complete high-performance driving package.

Pontiac’s engineering staff put in many hours on the suspension tuning, chassis balance and overall driving confidence. The Trans Am offered a more balanced and controlled ride around when it came to styling and its size, as opposed to relying on huge engines and flashy advertising. Fans of the car immediately commented on the differences with other manufacturers who were largely based on horsepower numbers.

That comprehensive program was one of the best long-term attributes of the Trans Am. The car was great for off-the-track driving on winding tracks rather than just drag racing, which was appreciated by drivers. Collectors still admire the Trans Am all these years later, for it represented a more complete and mature approach to muscle-car performance.

3. Legendary Ram Air Powerplant

One of Pontiac’s most accomplished V8 motors was under the hood of the 1970 Trans Am. The usual combination was the fabled 400-cubic-inch Ram Air III V8 that was officially rated for 335 hp. The engine, paired with the close-ratio Muncie four-speed manual, provided substantial power to rival the very best American muscle car engines of the early 1970s.

What is that that makes The Ram Air Special:

• The powerful 400cc V8 engine.
• A robust start of the century.
• The quality of the manual transmission in close-ratio.
• Rare High Output Ram Air IV.
• The famed reputation of Pontiac as a muscle car.

The results of the period were outstanding. The Trans Am could accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in about 5.5 seconds and reach 60 miles an hour in just 13.9 seconds around the quarter mile. Those digits meant that the car was firmly in the ranks of the fastest cars available in the heyday of the muscle car.

Those looking for more power could choose the very limited Ram Air IV package. The bettered engine was able to crank out just more than 370 hp, making the Trans Am even more aggressive. Very few Ram Air IVs were produced and they are among the rarest, most valuable Pontiac muscle cars ever produced.

4. Engineering That Matched the Performance

The engineering improvements done on the Trans Am were far more extensive than they were on the engine. To enhance handling stability and body control, Pontiac fitted the car with heavy duty suspension parts designed for aggressive driving. The larger stabilizer bars, the improved shocks and reinforced springs made the Trans Am more stable than many of its rivals.

The building and upgrading of several key engineering improvements were included:

• The suspension tuning parts are a significant upgrade for the heavy-duty suspension.
• Stabilizer bars that are larger to provide more balance.
• Front wheels fitted with standard disc brakes.
• More efficient cooling in hard driving situations.
• The functional elements of the design that serve a purpose.

Pontiac engineers also took care of braking performance. The drum brakes that were still used on many of its rivals were no match for the stopping power of the standard power-assisted front disc brakes. The upgrade provided a greater sense of confidence for drivers in their Trans Am during the more aggressive driving style, and it made the car look quite modern for the time.

The car was also understated with functional styling aids to complement its serious performance nature. Enhanced cooling systems prevented overheating at high-performance and hood scoops provided better air circulation. Each of the more significant elements seemed to be chosen as much for its real-world capability as for the high advertising impact it could provide.

5. Rarity Turned the Trans Am Into a Hidden Gem

The 1970 Trans Am is mostly forgotten these days, in part because of its low production volumes. Pontiac’s output for the 1970 model year was under 50,000 Firebirds, of which just 3,196 were the higher-performance Trans Am version. Instantly, the car became one of Pontiac’s rarest performance muscle era cars.

The Trans Am holds a special place in the hearts of collectors:

• Very low production figures overall.
• Rare versions of Ram Air IVs.
• Far fewer built compared to competitors.
• A specialized approach for production that focuses on performance.
• The secret-fame between muscle-car fans.

Over time some versions became even more exclusive. The Ram Air IV package is a future collector’s piece, as only 88 buyers managed to place their orders for the iconic package. Decades after their demise, they remain popular amongst serious Pontiac fans and muscle-car collectors.

The Trans Am was virtually the only choice available when it came against competition such as the Chevrolet Camaro Z/28 which sold much more than the Trans Am did. Pontiac was clearly focused on developing a niche performance vehicle, rather than making a large number of cars. This eventually resulted in the enigmatic reputation that the car has today.

6. How did the font and message on the card catch your eye?

Pontiac’s approach to the Trans Am was one of quiet confidence not seen in many others. Rather than trying to force the car into the position of being a mass-market product, the company has been working on what it considers a legitimate high-performance vehicle. Engineers focused more on content and actual driving ability, as opposed to a lot of marketing.

The Philosophy Behind The Car:

• An honest performance with little or no showmanship.
• Useful styling to express the aggressive presence.
• Mechanical simplicity provided increased connection.
• Designed primarily for the ride on road enthusiasts.
• Performance enhancements had real purposes.

This attitude was reflected in just about everything that was designed and built into the Trans Am. The car was highly aggressive, but not overly cartoonish, and all the performance elements had a definite function, not just decorative touches. The Trans Am is still a very honest challenger to performance decades after it was created.

It is more important than ever before to modern enthusiasts with regard to being authentic. Digital driving aids and artificial enhancements were used to a great degree in many of the newer performance vehicles, and the Trans Am gave a mechanical link between driver and machine. For the past few decades, that simplicity has always made classic Pontiac muscle cars feel exciting and memorable.

7. The Other Phantom of Pontiac

The Trans Am of the 1970s was a ghost of a car due to its scarcity and forgotten history, and Pontiac has brought back a more literal ghost: The 1977 Pontiac Phantom concept car was never produced. Rather, it was a dramatic styling statement designed by legendary GM designer Bill Mitchell, near the end of his automotive career.

The Vision Behind The Phantom:

• Designed by iconic designer Bill Mitchell.
• This was created as a personal goodbye project.
• Recognized dramatic traditional American design.
• The interior is designed in private Studio X.
• Abandoned modern efficiency-based trends in automobile manufacturing.

Mitchell designed the Phantom in his own “Studio X” and considered it to be a personal artistic statement until he retired. The idea was internally dubbed “Madame X” and to him, it was all about the best elements of traditional American car styling and drama.

But when the carmakers were going for the utility and fuel-saving aspects, Mitchell went the other way. Luxury, excess and emotional styling were the goals of The Phantom. It was a departure from the glitz and glam of the automotive world that Mitchell felt was slowly giving way to him forever.

8. A Design Inspired by the Past

The Phantom was hugely influenced by the sleek Cadillacs of Bill Mitchell that were developed in the late 1930s. The concept was assembled on a Pontiac Grand Prix platform with a very long hood, an extremely steep roofline, attention grabbing chrome detailing and exaggerated dimensions.

The Phantom used a variety of features to impress, with stylistic details being a big part of that:

• Long hood with dramatic proportions.
• Elegant designs taking after Cadillacs.
• Large conical wheel disc covers.
• Combination of retro and futuristic style.
• Luxurious, with a bold chrome heavy look.

The Phantom looked different from almost any other car of its era from the late 1970s, thanks to the large conical wheel discs and the exaggerated body proportions. The car combined the allure of old school luxury elements with futuristic design features, resulting in a machine that could simultaneously be timeless and weirdly futuristic.

All of the Phantom had the hallmarks of Mitchell’s love for emotional car design. He felt that cars should be “sculptures on wheels” that could excite people before the car began to move. The Phantom perfectly embodied that philosophy at an era when restraint and efficiency were becoming increasingly the focus of much in the industry.

9. The Phantom Was Never Meant to Drive

The Pontiac Phantom was never meant to be a practical car, though it looks like it would naturally be, given its size and attention to detail. There was nothing functioning under the fiberglass shell of a drivetrain, a working transmission, or a roaring V8 waiting to kick into action. The car was just a design statement, an artistic statement, an emotional statement.

Why is The Phantom Felt Mysterious?

• Designed solely for styling purposes.
• This is an engine that is not working, with no working transmission.
• He gave his all for pure automotive imagination.
• Strived for happiness without regard to reason.
• Phonology is represented by disappearing design philosophy.

The seemingly unnatural reality only enhanced the Phantom’s mystique over time. Rather than as a traditional performance car, it was remembered as a ghostly image, a symbol of creativity, a symbol of nostalgia, and a symbol of automotive passion.

GM executives realized the Phantom was a romantic vision that was off track with the direction of the industry. Growing fuel demands, tougher emissions standards, and shifting consumer desires led automakers to smaller, more efficient cars. Mitchell’s theatre brought together a time the industry could no longer realistically turn back on itself.

10. The Bikes of What Was Once Pontiac

Both the 1970 Trans Am and the 1977 Phantom were two polar opposite sides of Pontiac’s personality, but both showed the company’s desire to break free from the pack. The Trans Am was admired for its true-to-life performance and engineering prowess, while the Phantom was unfettered by pragmatics in its vision and design.

What made the two cars memorable:

• Spoke on both sides of Pontiac.
• Staged together in a daring ensemble.
• Successfully disrupted the norm in automotive over and over.
• Introduced the concept of passion driven vehicle design.
• Made an impression on fans.

One of the machines stood out due to its ability to deliver power, tractability, and longevity on actual roads. The other was simply an expression of emotion, freedom of expression and drama in the design of the car. As a team, they proved that Pontiac had a knack for going above and beyond the call of duty, even when the mainstream rigged were unsure of success.

Both cars still have a fascination for the enthusiast today for a number of very different reasons. The 1970 Trans Am is one of the most underrated muscle cars of all time, and the Phantom is a sad reminder of a strong desire to keep using muscle car design despite its gradual fading from the automotive scene. Their tales show how some of history’s most memorable vehicles are those that are almost forgotten.