GM's Pontiac Firebird Trans Am Factory Tester Avoided the Crusher and Was Sold for $60,000

2025-04-06 23:44:22

After years of uncertainty and the potential for it to be lost forever, the inaugural Trans Am equipped with an LS1, affectionately known as Project Gold Rush, has finally discovered a new owner.

The first Pontiac Firebird Trans Am with an LS1 engine narrowly avoided destruction.
Not only is it the first of its kind with an LS1 V8 but it’s also a GM development vehicle.
Despite its “junk” title, this one-of-a-kind Trans Am sold at auction for $60,000.

Few cars capture the bombastic spirit of muscle cars quite like the final Pontiac Firebird Trans Am. Recently, one of the most significant examples of this model changed hands. This particular car isn’t just the very first Trans Am to feature an LS1 V8—it’s also a factory test vehicle that narrowly avoided the crusher. Known as Project Gold Rush, its backstory is every bit as interesting as the car itself.

Every car company tests its cars before production and that’s what this was, a development test bed. In fact, under the hood, you’ll find a sticker that proves it. “Engineering and Dev Vehicle,” it says. Typically, these vehicles end up destroyed, but someone saved this one.

GM's Pontiac Firebird Trans Am Factory Tester Avoided the Crusher and Was Sold for $60,000

After years of uncertainty and the potential for it to be lost forever, the inaugural Trans Am equipped with an LS1, affectionately known as Project Gold Rush, has finally discovered a new owner.

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