Pontiac Trans Am leads ’70s resurgence at Barrett-Jackson Las Vegas

Filed under: Classics, Auctions

This article originally appeared on SPEEDtv.com and is republished with permission. Check your local listings for SPEEDtv’s live coverage of Barrett-Jackson Las Vegas, which continues today from 4PM-11PM EST and Saturday from 2PM -9:30PM EST.

Pontiac Trans Am at Barrett-Jackson Las Vegas

Pontiac Trans Am at Barrett-Jackson Las Vegas – Click above for high-res image gallery

One thing you’ll find plenty of at the Barrett-Jackson Las Vegas Auction is Pontiac Firebird Trans Ams from the late ’70s. The same black-and-gold, “Smoky and the Bandit,” screamin’ eagle Trans Ams that beguiled so many adolescent gearheads in their day.

These flamboyant muscle cars have enjoyed a resurgence of late, moving away from disco-era kitsch and into the realm of bona fide collector cars. Not too many cars of that stylistic- and performance-challenged time have made the leap.

“The styling has endured for a long, long time,” said admitted Pontiac addict Tom Knight of Albuquerque, N.M, as he eyed a 1976 Trans Am 50th Anniversary coupe. “I think there’s been a resurrection now that Pontiac’s dead.”

Gallery: Pontiac Trans Ams at Barrett-Jackson Las Vegas

[Images: Bob Golfen, SPEED]

Continue reading Pontiac Trans Am leads ’70s resurgence at Barrett-Jackson Las Vegas

Pontiac Trans Am leads ’70s resurgence at Barrett-Jackson Las Vegas originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 24 Sep 2010 17:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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1957 Chevrolet NASCAR Black Widow to be auctioned at Barrett-Jackson live tonight

Filed under: Car Buying, Motorsports, Classics, Coupe, Auctions, Chevrolet, Specialty, Racing

1957 Chevy Black Widow

1957 Chevrolet NASCAR Black Widow tribute – Click above for high-res image gallery

For most all of its 62-year history, NASCAR has been a battleground for U.S. automakers, each of whom sought superiority on the race track as a way to sell more of their cars.

In 1957, Chevrolet decided to create a race car that would dominate NASCAR and establish Chevrolet as the car to beat in the minds of buyers across the country. Known as the “Black Widow,” the 1957 Chevrolet was one of the most feared race cars of the decade.

Live on SPEED Thursday at 8:30 PM ET, a professionally restored “Black Widow” tribute car will be auctioned off at the Barrett-Jackson Las Vegas Collector Car Event. Like all cars at Barrett-Jackson, it will be auctioned at no reserve, meaning the highest bid takes it.

The story behind the Black Widow is an interesting insight into how NASCAR and the automobile manufacturers functioned back in the day. Bone up on your history after the jump.

Gallery: 1957 Chevrolet Black Widow

Continue reading 1957 Chevrolet NASCAR Black Widow to be auctioned at Barrett-Jackson live tonight

1957 Chevrolet NASCAR Black Widow to be auctioned at Barrett-Jackson live tonight originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 23 Sep 2010 14:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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