The Pontiac Firebird is one of the United States’ most iconic sports cars, due largely in part to its starring role in Burt Reynold’s 1977 movie “Smokey and the Bandit.” Unfortunately for Firebird fans, GM discontinued the entire Pontiac brand in 2009 in response to financial challenges. It’s been more than a decade since we’ve seen a new Firebird roll off the assembly lines, but we might see a new incarnation of the classic vehicle for the 2021 model year. 

A Firebird, but Not as You Know It

It might look like a Firebird and has the power to rival its originator, but it’s not a Pontiac and it won’t be rolling off GM’s assembly lines. Instead, the new 2021 Firebird is the brainchild of Trans Am Depot, a custom Pontiac modification and restoration business based in Tallahassee, Florida. It has spent the last 50 years creating custom Pontiac mods and restoring classic models. Its newest project is possibly one of its most ambitious. 

The new Firebird is essentially one massive mod, built on the chassis of a Chevy Camaro SS, but it won’t be recognizable as the iconic Chevy sports car. Trans Am Depot is changing upwards of 380 different parts, both on the body and under the hood, to recreate the Firebird’s distinctive look. 

This new Firebird will have some serious power under the hood, as well. Originally, you had two engine options to choose from — a 3.8-liter L-6 engine or a 6.6-liter V-8 — but this reimagined version will only have one: a V-8 capable of generating a whopping 840 horsepower. It’ll have a top speed of 200 mph and will be tuned to accelerate from 0 to 60 in less than three seconds. This is definitely something worthy of the noble Firebird name. 

Bringing Home a 2021 Firebird

If you want to bring one of these fantastic new Firebirds home when they premiere next year, you’ll have to act quickly. Not only will it set you back $120,000, but Trans Am Depot is only making 77 of these mods. The cost covers the purchase of the donor Camaro, as well as the parts and labor to turn it into an amazing Firebird. 

Although Burt Reynolds died in 2018, he endorsed these new Bandit-edition Firebirds several years ago. They’ve been a long time coming, but are sure to be worth the wait for “Smokey and the Bandit” fans, as well as those who love iconic American muscle cars.

The Future of the Pontiac Brand

What does this mean for the future of the Pontiac brand? Not much, as far as we can tell. This new Firebird might look amazing and have celebrity endorsements, but it doesn’t have anything to do with GM. As of the time of this writing, the parent brand hasn’t offered comment one way or another. Still, we’re excited to see Trans Am Depot breathe new life into this much-beloved model that was shuttered so many years ago.