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StarLight Garage presents this time a rare American car from the mid 80's .... almost everyone know the Pontiac of those days ... but this one is a special edition, the Pontiac Tojan GT Coupe from 1986.
Following some resources only 150 units built of this car, anyway if out there are more ... then the maximum will not more than 300 pieces and if you are a fan of the F-body than is this car something for you too.
Enjoy!
Special question for the F-body fans" "Did you ever heard of the Pontiac Tojan?"
You didn't ... most people only know the make Pontiac and many never heard about this or ever have seen this car.
The Pontiac Tojan was a supercar built by Knudsen Automotive from 1985 to 1991. Many people should have said when looking at the pictures of this car: "Oh, it's just a kit car or a body kit for a 3th generation Trans Am" or something like that.
Tta's certainly not the case, the Tojan was a truly production sports car that is based off of the F-Body Platform.
According to Ken Lingenfelter the Tojan was commissioned by GM and built by Knudsen Automotive. Knudsen Automotive built so the Pontiac, that the car that was capable to compete with a Ferrari.
They wanted not just a sports car but a supercar that could go "toe to toe" with a Ferrari on a road course and still affordable to the average American.
Production was pretty limited, only an estimated 150 to 300 (?) Tojans were produced between 1985 and 1991. Other resources say: 136 units produced (123 coupes and 13 convertibles).
These cars were assembled in Omaha and Nebraska at the Knudsen plant. GM provided Knudsen with GTA frames, Tuned Port Injection 305 engines (LB9′s) and 700R4 Transmissions.
Knudsen then beefed up the stock suspension so the Tojan could corner like it was on rails. Then they equipped it with power disc brakes on all four wheels and power steering to make handling easier. These modifications would allow it to run with the best Ferrari had to offer on those days.
The cosmetics of the car are 100% original, they were "bit by bit" designed by Knudsen. The body’s 1980′s styling looks like the radical Trans Am and the Fiero at that time. The Tojan’s styling was actually heavily influenced by the Ferrari 305. It’s influence can been seen on it’s rear trunk lid and rear tail lights. Further adding to the Italian super car influence, a Lamborghini style wing was available as an option.
The Tojans were then given dished Gotti Wheels which were wrapped in 345/50 R15 tires for more grip. Knudsen then given the interior; leather Recaro seats, a wooden dash which equipped with "Back to the Future" style digital gauges. Further they installed a cruise control, a till steering wheel, power windows, power mirrors, and the power hatch release from the F-Bodies.
The Tojan was a built to order car, to purchase one you simply went to your local Pontiac dealership and they called up Knusden who then shipped it to the dealership. The starting price was $21,995 and the price could climb as high as $55,000 depending on the bells and whistles. These bells included a B&M Supercharger and B&M Superjection as well as a 3.73 Psi.
One option was a Lamborghini "look-a-like" wing among others.
Besides that the Tojan was designed to compete with Ferrari, it was also a GM's response to the Ford Saleen Mustangs. The most attractive to this whole idea, was that a customer could build his own supercar for just a fraction of the price they must pay for a regular one, like for example a Ferrari
So that makes at the end this car so very rare and wanted.
After all the car would not have been a big seller, but Russ Knusden managed to put a supercar in the hands of a few Americans. Due to their limited production, perhaps one day the Tojan will become a renowned collector’s item similar to a Cord 812 or a Phantom Cosair. Some love these cars others see it as one of those odd cars from the 80′s. Love it or hate it but you have to admit sooner or later that the Tojan was and still is wild car.
THE OTHER PONTIAC
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