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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Las Vegas campaigning for Indy season closer

Filed under: Motorsports

It’s been a few years since single-seaters roared through America’s Playground, but they could be back before we know it. And back in a big way, if the latest reports from the world of motorsport materialize.

The Las Vegas Motor Speedway hosted IRL races from 1996 to 2000 and Champ Cars from 2003 to 2005, and continues to hold NASCAR races, along with a handful of racing schools and other events. The circuit’s chief Bruton Smith, however, is now reportedly campaigning to get the joint open-wheel series back on track (so to speak) for next year. If successful, the Vegas oval could play host to the season finale, a slot currently held by Miami-Homestead.

The IRL is expected to announce next year’s calendar on September 10 (just a few days from now), so one way or another, we’ll be finding out shortly.

[Source: Autosport]

Las Vegas campaigning for Indy season closer originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 06 Sep 2010 16:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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