There’s something about the Trans Am that never really left the American car scene. Even after Pontiac disappeared, the memory of black-and-gold Bandit cars and fire-breathing birds on the hood stayed alive. Now, thanks to Trans Am Worldwide, the legend isn’t just a memory—it’s back on the street, and it’s meaner than ever.

Built from modern Camaro bones but completely reimagined, today’s Trans Am blends vintage style with serious performance. If you’re wondering what makes this new chapter worth paying attention to, here are 10 things you need to know.

1. Built by Trans Am Worldwide, Not GM

Today’s reborn Trans Ams aren’t coming out of Detroit assembly lines—they’re built by Trans Am Worldwide, based in Tallahassee, Florida. Using brand-new Chevrolet Camaro SS or ZL1 chassis as a starting point, they re-skin the entire car with retro-styled bodywork that channels the spirit of the original ’70s Trans Ams.

These builds aren’t just cosmetic. They come with serious upgrades under the skin, blending vintage looks with modern-day muscle and technology. If you want something that feels factory but hits different, this is where you’ll find it.

2. Real Carbon Fiber Body Panels

Trans Am Worldwide doesn’t settle for fiberglass panels. The bodywork—including the hood, front and rear fascias, fenders, and even spoilers—is built with real carbon fiber. That helps shed some weight while giving the car a level of strength and finish you won’t find on backyard tribute builds.

It also means panel fit and surface quality are top-tier—important when you’re reimagining a car that people already know and love. The carbon fiber structure keeps the car feeling solid and modern, even with the vintage vibe.

3. Yes, It Has a Modern Screaming Eagle Option

One of Trans Am Worldwide’s standout offerings is the “Super Duty” package, which includes a 7.4L (455-cubic-inch) LSX V8 with a massive Magnuson TVS2650 supercharger. Rated for up to 1,000 horsepower, it’s a proper modern muscle car you can drive off the lot.

The build isn’t just about a big dyno number—it includes a reinforced drivetrain, upgraded cooling systems, and optional carbon-ceramic brakes to keep all that power manageable. It’s a serious machine, not just a nostalgia act.

4. Modern Suspension Means Real Handling

Underneath the vintage bodywork, the Trans Am is pure modern muscle. The independent front and rear suspension setups from the Camaro are retained but tuned for the added performance demands.

Adjustable coilovers, high-performance bushings, and optional magnetic ride control help the car handle way better than anything from the original Trans Am’s heyday. It’s not just a straight-line bruiser—you can actually hustle it through corners without feeling like you’re tempting fate.

5. You Can Still Get a T-Tops Version

No Trans Am revival would feel right without T-tops—and yes, Trans Am Worldwide offers them. They use modern, reinforced removable roof panels that seal better and are structurally sound, unlike the old flexy units from the ’70s and ’80s.

The T-top option lets you soak up the sun and hear the engine roar without sacrificing the comfort or refinement of a modern chassis. It’s one of those details that proves these guys knew exactly what made the original Trans Ams cool—and they didn’t skip it.

6. The Styling Nails the Classic Vibe

Every body line, scoop, and vent is a call-back to the golden era of muscle, but with sharper execution. From the twin-snout nose to the shaker hood scoop, the reborn Trans Am doesn’t just hint at the ’70s—it fully embraces it.

Each design element is reworked with better proportions, cleaner fitment, and modern materials. The result is a car that looks like it belongs in 1977 at a distance, but up close, it’s clearly something built to today’s standards, not yesterday’s shortcuts.

7. Interior Upgrades Aren’t Just Cosmetic

Inside, Trans Am Worldwide doesn’t just slap on a new badge and call it a day. Custom upholstery, vintage-style gauge clusters, optional turned-metal accents, and embroidered Trans Am logos give the cabin a unique look.

But underneath that throwback style, you get all the amenities of a modern Camaro—Bose audio systems, heated seats, touchscreen infotainment, backup cameras, and modern safety tech. It’s the best of both worlds: vintage attitude with daily-driver comfort.

8. There’s More Than One Body Style

While the T-top coupe gets most of the attention, Trans Am Worldwide also builds convertible versions. The convertible models retain the same retro bodywork but offer an open-top experience straight from the factory—no sketchy aftermarket conversions needed.

The option opens the door for buyers who want all the flair of a Bandit-era Trans Am without the fixed roof. And because it’s based on the factory Camaro convertible platform, it’s structurally solid and built to handle serious power.

9. You Can Choose Classic Color Schemes—or Go Wild

Trans Am Worldwide offers classic color combos like black and gold (hello, Smokey and the Bandit) or white and blue to mirror the early second-gen cars. But if you want something different, they’ll custom paint to match whatever you dream up.

From pearl whites to candy reds to matte finishes, the paint options let you personalize your Trans Am far beyond what Pontiac ever offered. It’s a true custom experience—without sacrificing the car’s roots or losing the unmistakable Trans Am flavor.

10. They’re Sold Out—and Hard to Get

If you’re hoping to place an order today, you’re out of luck. All of the current production Trans Ams from Trans Am Worldwide are officially sold out. These builds were made in limited numbers, and every slot was spoken for by buyers who knew exactly what they were getting into.

Your best bet now? Wait for one to hit the secondary market—if one ever does. Considering how personal and exclusive these cars are, it might take some real patience (and deep pockets) to snag one when an original owner finally decides to let it go.

*Created with AI assistance and editor review.