1995 Pontiac Trans Am Prototypes - Department X

With the modifications made by the still-under-wraps WS6 package, the Comp T/A's 5.7L LT1 was rated at 300 hp at 5,400 rpm, with 335 lb-ft of torque at 3,200 rpm. The WS6 was eventually rated at 5 horses more, but it was essentially the same powertrain.

Though the program was set to run just one model year with a maximum of 200 units, things didn't work quite as planned. The problem was cost-adding another $7,000 on top of a loaded Trans Am was putting the car out of reach for many would-be buyers. A total of 72 cars were built for '95, with 45 more for '96, and an additional 47 for the '97 model year.

With virtually no running changes for those three model years, the Comp T/A was able to continue, though by that time, the 25th anniversary of the BFG Comp T/A tire had long since played out. When the new LS1 Trans Ams bowed for '98, the Comp T/A was not among the model offerings.

The Fate Of The Prototypes
As mentioned before, Mattison had actually placed the retail order for the blue '95 Formula to prevent its ultimate destruction. GM policy requires all modified, company-owned vehicles to be destroyed owing to product liability issues. With its ownership safely in his hands, he kept it for the duration of the show season.

After its tour of show duty was over, he sold it to Pontiac collector Dan Jensen in late 1995. Mattison included a set Alcon six-piston brakes and 18-inch OZ Monte Carlo wheels in the deal, which were originally intended for installation during the show season. Dan installed the upgraded componentry and still owns it.

Interestingly, this particular Formula inspired yet another specialty Firebird program. Just one year later, the Jeff Denison-inspired paint scheme was changed from blue and white to black and gold and was used on the '96 Hurst Firebird program, which both Mattison and Denison were involved with.

The silver Comp T/A prototype was for a time owned by SLP Engineering, who transferred ownership to Jim Mattison as thanks for stepping aside and letting them take the assembly contract for the Comp T/A program. He subsequently went to work for SLP Engineering a couple of years later.

This prototype, known as #000, was kept by Mattison for a couple of years before being sold to Illinois-based Pontiac collector Dean Fait, who also still owns it. Both cars are still in mint condition and have lived very pampered lives.

The Comp T/A program will go down as one of the quickest projects to ever sail through the approval process at Pontiac. A mere three months elapsed from the original concept to final approval. It is also one late-model performance cars that, 20 or 30 years from now, people will be wishing that they grabbed when they had the chance.