Custom show cars are all well and good, but custom race cars do it better. We like ‘em fast, especially with a dash of old-school style and oodles of bespoke touches front to back. This insane hand-built Pontiac Trans Am ticks all those boxes, plus a few more, and now, it’s going head-to-head in a drag race against a built time attack BMW E36 M3.
If you recognize this wide-body Pontiac Trans Am, it may be because we’ve featured it on GM Authority on more than one occasion. Back in 2019, we took a look at its oodles of awesomeness with an in-depth build video, while back in January, we covered the two-door’s successful bid to win the top prize in the highly competitive 2020 Hot Wheels Legends Tour. Now, we’re seeing what it can do on the drag strip in this latest episode of This vs. That, courtesy of the Hoonigan YouTube channel.
Indeed, this machine deserves another look. Lovingly crafted by master fabricator Riley Stair, this Pontiac Trans Am boasts 808 horsepower thanks to a 400-cubic-inch LSX V8 engine capable of spinning to 10,000 rpm. Output is sent rearwards through a G-Force GF4A transmission, while curb weight tips the scales at 3,165 pounds. Originally debuting at SEMA, this thing is not only ultra-clean, but it’s got the goods to make a seriously fast pass as well.
Of course, the competition ain’t no slouch either. In the other lane is a full-blown 1995 BMW M3 race car laying down 600 horsepower courtesy of a 7.3L LS V8. A lightning-quick Samsonas sequential transmission harnesses the go, while curb weight is set at 2,750 pounds. Designed to set blistering lap times on the race track, you can bet this thing also has plenty of poke in a straight line, and it’s got a hot shoe behind the wheel as well.
Which ride will come out on top? Hit play to find out:
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Comment
I don’t understand all the fuzz about 600-800 horsepower race cars. We have 68 chevelle that lays down 1200hp at the tires, runs mid fives at the strip and driven almost daily. Our s-10 pick up dyno”s 850 at the tires and we haul lumber with it .Both vehicles appear stock but sound”funny “. We don’t have 150 grand to spend on all the good stuff but here is still plenty of us out there that knows how to go fast and look good doing it