The 1985 Pontiac Trans Am stopped trying to be polite. It shed its mannerly skin for a more aggressive stance, rolling out with an expanded aero package that defined its era. If you look at the profile from the front to the back, the car was noticeably more tapered than before. It wasn’t just about looking mean, though. The design included foglights, a louvered hood, and an optional wing-style rear spoiler. That spoiler sat lower, creating a more integrated look rather than a bulky add-on.
Under the hood, the choice came down to three variations of the 305-cid V-8. You could go with a carbureted setup. That gave you 165 horsepower or the high-output L69 version, which pushed 190 bhp. These carbureted engines had flexibility. You could pair them with a five-speed manual or a four-speed overdrive automatic.
Or you could step up to the new tuned-port injection (TPI) V-8. Pontiac borrowed this tech from the Corvette. It delivered 205 horsepower. There was a catch, though. The fuel-injected version only came with an automatic transmission. No manual options for the top-tier engine.
Handling and the WS6 Option
The new aero look wasn’t the only change. Pontiac tweaked the ride and handling across the board. The Recaro special edition was gone. In its place, Trans Ams could be ordered with the WS6 suspension package. That got you 16-inch “Gatorback” tires. It tightened up the car for those who actually cared about cornering.
The S/E trim didn’t get left behind. It gained horsepower too. It got a louvered hood, refreshed graphics, and new front and rear fascias. You could spec an S/E with the 165-bhp V-8 if you wanted to save money.
Inside, the cabin saw some updates. Firebirds got an optional electronic instrument panel. The air conditioning controls were reworked. New interior trim and improved acoustics made the cabin feel less like a cheap box.
Production numbers told a story of instability. Firebird sales dipped in 1983. They hit a decade-high in 1984. Then they slipped again in 1985. Despite the drop, the Trans Am remained the star. It accounted for 46 percent of total Firebird output.
If you want to learn more about muscle cars and Firebirds, check out these pages:
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Firebird Reviews by Consumer Guide
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Muscle Cars
