First displayed as the Tirebird at that year's Detroit Autorama, the car was a hit, but most spectators didn't get the tie-in that the name had with the old SCCA Trans Am racecars. Many people even thought that the name "Tirebird" was a misspelling of the word "Firebird."
Meanwhile, Pontiac's marketing people saw the car and were interested in a production version. Mattison commented to them that he wished he actually ordered the car as a Trans Am, as they could easily change the name to the Comp T/A. The marketing team loved the idea and decided to proceed with the Comp T/A concept. The plan was to replicate the paint scheme on a Trans Am and put the machine into limited production. As Mattison came up with the idea, he was hoping that the program would be assigned to his company, Automotive Services, for the conversions.
As it turned out, the project was turned over the SLP Engineering for the conversions. The reasoning was twofold. First, SLP had already established itself in the eyes of GM with the Firehawk and already had the facilities to fulfill the project. Jim stepped aside and actually assisted Ed Hamburger and SLP with the development of the program.
Secondly, Pontiac was using the Comp T/A program as sort of a pilot run for the upcoming '96 WS6 program, which SLP was already selected to assemble.
With a small run of cars so similar to the upcoming WS6 Firebirds, any problems could be isolated and solved before production of those vehicles actually began. "It was a great way to test the WS6 without giving up any secrets," Mattison explained.
The added benefit of the program was that the Ram Air hood could be homologated for use in IMSA Street Stock Endurance competition a full year before it was originally scheduled, benefiting racers like Doug Goad, John Heinricy and Andy Pilgrim, among others.
In these never-before seen...
In these never-before seen shots, we can see some subtle differences between the prototype and the production cars that followed. The most notable differences were the slightly revised stripe and the cloth interior.
The sleek lines of the Trans...
The sleek lines of the Trans Am still look great. It's hard to believe that it's been over 15 years since these machines first hit the streets. This rear wing was a Trans Am exclusive. Comp T/A striping went over the rear spoiler and the decklid; there was no "WS6" emblem on the rear.
Though the Comp T/A was equipped...
Though the Comp T/A was equipped with a Ram Air hood and airbox, the familiar "Ram Air" decal was nowhere to be found.
Once transferred to SLP Engineering, the project took on a new look. It was determined there that the car should be a Trans Am to use the "Comp T/A" moniker, and the "Silver Anniversary" concept should be taken a bit further. As a result, the color scheme was changed from blue to silver, and the striping from the Denison-penned design to a charcoal gray version of the stripes used on the '94 25th Anniversary Trans Am.
Though the Comp T/As had all of the WS6's package content, there were no callouts or references to the term, nor was "Ram Air" used either. Those terms were reserved for the top-option '96 Firebird Formula and Trans Am and were at least technically, classified. It was however, widely speculated throughout the industry and though the cat was pretty much out of the bag by the summer of 1995, it ended up being one of those situations that Pontiac would neither confirm nor deny until the official announcement was made.
The option content for the $6,995 Comp T/A package consisted of a Pontiac-designed fresh air induction system and hood, a short-throw Hurst shifter on six-speed models, a silver exterior with a 9-inch dark gray stripe, special badging, graphite leather with embroidered Comp T/A graphics, and of a set of BFGoodrich 275/40ZR17 Comp T/A radial tires, a Sport Suspension package (hardtop only), and Firehawk 17-inch wheels. Buyers could also opt for an extra set of wheels fitted with BFGoodrich's new Comp T/A RI Competition series ultra-performance tires. These soft-compound tires were not intended for street use, but for autocross duty.
Comp T/A buyers were also required to order a V87 Trans Am coupe or T-top (convertibles were not offered); Bright Silver Metallic exterior-13; AQ9 Ultima Graphite leather buckets; 1SC option package; R6V merchandising option code; T43 Trans Am spoiler; and the GU5 performance axle (automatics only).