Rare ONES Seeing the title of the article you might immediately ask; Has there ever been such the Pontiac Tojan model? Or had You ever seen this kind of car? As quoted of Wikipedia, this car once existed and was a production sports car that is built based on the F-Body Platform (was General Motors' rear-wheel drive pony car automobile platform built during production periods of 1967 to 2002). Indeed, only a few people have ever heard of it, let alone seen it. We're bet you've never known before.
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| The Pontiac Tojan is built by Knudsen Automotive Inc. for General Motors during 1985 to 1991. (Picture from: StreetMuscleMag) |
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| While inside of the Pontiac Tojan's cabin is featured with a wooden dash which equipped with 'Back to the Future' style digital gauges. (Picture from: StreetMuscleMag) |
In other words, they wanted a sports car that could go toe to toe with those world's famous Italian cars on a road course yet was still affordable to the average American. Might be that's the point. Besides being designed to compete with Ferrari, turn outly the Tojan could also be considered GM’s answer to the Ford Saleen Mustangs. So the idea behind the Pontiac Tojan was that a drive could build its own super car for a fraction of the price.
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| The Pontiac Tojan's cabin also has a Recaro leather seats, also many other advanced features a cruise control, a tilt steering wheel, power windows, power mirrors, and the power hatch release from the F-Bodies. (Picture from: StreetMuscleMag) |
Uniquely, because of the high desire to be able to look as a decent rival of Ferrari (even Mustang), unmitigated to the extent that the car emblem also displays the figure of a horse. Only slightly different in appearance, if the Ferrari's emblem is a prancing horse, while the Ford Mustang with its wild horse running emblem, then the Tojan's displays the figure of a winged demonic horse. Creepy enough huh?
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| The Pontiac Tojan could be pinned Lamborghini Countach styled rear-wing as an option. (Picture from: StreetMuscleMag) |
The Pontiac Tojan produced as limited numbers of car, only an estimated 150 to 300 units were produced during 1985 to 1991. These cars were assembled in Omaha, Nebraska at the Knudsen's 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. The car also equipped with power disc brakes on all four wheels and power steering to make handling easier. These mods would allow it to run with the best Ferrari model had to offer.
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| The Pontiac Tojan appeared with the 1980’s body styling and looks like the radical cross-breeding between the Trans Am and the Fiero. (Picture from: StreetMuscleMag) |
As quoted of StreetMuscleMag, all the car's cosmetics are 100% original designed by Knudsen. As you can see, this rare American sports car appeared with the 1980’s body styling and looks like the radical cross-breeding between the Trans Am and the Fiero. Actually, the Tojan’s styling was heavily influenced by the Ferrari 305, as can been seen on it’s rear trunk lid and rear tail lights. Further adding to the Italian supercar influence, Knudsen also provided Lamborghini Countach styled rear-wing as an option.
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| The Pontiac Tojan (in pictured is GT model) is powered by Tuned Port Injection 305 (LB9’s) engines coupled with the 700R4 Transmissions. (Picture from: StreetMuscleMag) |
For the legs, the Tojan supported by five-spokes rims of Gotti Wheels (GBS) which were wrapped in 345/50 R15 tires for added grip. Meanwhile the car's interior given a touch of style inspired of the 1980s top movies and TV-series such 'Back to the Future' and 'Knight Rider.' Besides that the car got a Recaro leather seats, a wooden dash which equipped with 'Back to the Future' style digital gauges. Furthermore this rare American sports car got another advanced features, such cruise control, a tilt steering wheel, power windows, power mirrors, and the power hatch release from the F-Bodies.
During its production periods, 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. At the time it's sold at a starting price of $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 Posi. Other options included aforementioned Lamborghini wing and AM/FM Cassette with Equalizer (that was a big deal in the 80’s).
While it may not have been a big seller, at least Russ Knusden owned auto company managed to put the hands of middle class Americans behind the wheel of a such this good supercar. Due to their limited production, perhaps one day the Tojan will become a renowned collector’s item similar to the Cord 812 or the Phantom Corsair. Some might love these cars others see it as one of those odd cars came from the 1980’s. Love it or hate it you gotta admit the Pontiac Tojan is such a pretty good one wild car ever made. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | STREETMUSCLEMAG | WIKIPEDIA ]Note: This blog can be accessed via your smart phone.
