How does one describe the Trans Am Nationals? Well, it's sort of like the swallows returning every year to San Juan Capistrano--but louder. Except it's not an 18th-century mission in Orange County, California, but a hotel adjacent to the airport in Dayton, Ohio. Other than that, it's almost the same--well, maybe not. Still, it is an annual event that brings Birds of the four-wheeled variety from all over the eastern half of the United States and Canada for a grand celebration of all that is the Pontiac Firebird.
The event is hosted by the Dayton Chapter of the Trans Am Club of America and was started in 1985 by a group of club members. Sue Emmel and her husband, Jim, arrived in 1986, and Sue has been chairperson of the event since 1993. After Jim's passing in 1999, the club members dedicated the T/A Nats to his memory. Thus the Jim Emmel Trans Am Nationals name was adopted.
For 2005, the event kept with tradition and was once again held at the Dayton Airport Hotel. It's an ideal spot, easy to find (just follow the signs to the airport), and offers great accommodations for the show and swap meet.
For such a narrowly focused car show, the diversity of vehicles was staggering. Firebirds from 33 states were represented. Along with those from the Eastern United States and Canada, North and South Dakota, Texas, Arkansas, Missouri, Illinois, Wisconsin, Oklahoma, Louisiana, and more were represented. Some spectators traveled from as far away as Australia and Jamaica! A total of 463 cars were registered, which is down a bit from years past, the result of rainy weather on Friday and Saturday morning and $3.00-per-gallon gasoline. "Without a new car year (Firebird production ceased in 2002), we did really well," Sue says. "I was pleased with the turnout. It was the biggest weekend we ever had for people who weren't preregistered."
There's more to the Trans Am Nationals than just the cars; there's also a great cause that it supports. That cause is "A Special Wish Foundation," an organization that grants wishes to children with life-threatening disorders. This year, the Trans Am Club of America Dayton Chapter raised $2,369.50 from the silent auction and the 50/50 drawing.
Pontiac-GMC brought some of the most significant Firebirds from its collection, including (from left to right) the Hurst Firebird prototype, a '79 10th Anniversary Trans Am, an '02 Collector's Edition Trans Am, the very last Firebird built, an '02 Trans Am convertible, an '89 20th Anniver-sary Indy Pace Car Trans Am, and a prototype Trans Am Type-K station wagon. | 
Talk about a rare beast! This '77 Herb Adams VSE Fire-Am is perhaps the granddaddy of all F-body tuner cars. It featured all the VSE suspension upgrades, Corbeau GT seats, and even the VSE Fire-Am hood decal. Originally silver, it is now bright orange. |
It wouldn't be the T/A Nationals without a Knight Rider K.I.T.T. replica. This one features the full interior treatment, as well as exterior upgrades. | |
In addition to a wide array of original and restored Firebirds and Trans Ams of nearly every type from 1967-2002, there was also a huge number of modified Birds, representing many different paths of modification, including drag racers, road racers, customs, street machines, and even a few Pro-Streeters. The '05 Trans Am Nationals also saw the largest assemblage of '73-'74 Super Duty Firebird Formulas and Trans Ams the author has ever seen--and he's been around.
One of the trends that seem to be emerging lately is the strong following of the LT1-powered Fourth-Gen Firebirds--Trans Ams in particular. With the introduction of the LS1 V-8 in the Firebird line in 1998, it seemed like everyone's attention went in that direction, leaving the LT1 cars as more affordable alternatives with a lot of bang for the buck. There was an abundance of extremely nice '93-'97 LT1 Firebirds and Trans Ams in Dayton, many upgraded with aftermarket engine and suspension mods, custom paint and wheels, and killer in-car entertainment systems. The strong aftermarket support for the LT1 and the Fourth-Gen Firebirds ensures they will remain affordable performance cars for years to come.
It's not just the older Firebirds that have rare option possibilities. Late-model Birds also can be had with some exceptionally rare equipment, such as the AA8 Notchback option on this '88 GTA. |  |
There was an impressive number of Limited Edition and Special Edition Second-Gen Trans Ams. All colors were represented, but the black and gold versions seemed to dominate. | |
The Trans Am Nationals also boasted a manufacturer's midway and a well-stocked swap meet area. Fifty vendors displayed a variety of hard-to-find parts, such as Trans Am hoods and fenders, N.O.S. quarter-panels, trim pieces, and interior parts for most years. Additionally, vintage books, magazines, and dealer literature were on sale for collectors, as well as apparel and memorabilia items.
Festivities at the Trans Am Nationals include the scheduled cruise nights, an informative seminar on the history of the Firebird by Scott Scheel, a mini nationals model and die-cast contest, and activities for the kids. Though the cruise-in to the Quaker Steak and Lube on Friday night was hampered by rain, Saturday's cruise to nearby Tipp City benefited from picture-perfect weather. The center of that historic town was closed down by local authorities to regular traffic, allowing it to be literally taken over by T/A Nats participants. A total of 273 Firebirds and Trans Ams made the short trip to Tipp City. The cruise event lasted until sundown, when everyone caravanned back to the hotel.
If you have a Firebird, a Trans Am, a Firehawk, or a Comp T/A--or just a passing interest in them--you owe it to yourself to check out the Trans Am Nationals. The '06 edition will be held on August 25-27 at the Dayton Airport Hotel in Vandalia, Ohio. For more information, log on to www.tanationals.com. We'll see you there!