1983 Pontiac Firebird

The Pontiac Trans Am was selected to pace the 25th Daytona 500 in 1983. To commemorate this event, 2,500 limited edition Trans Ams were built. They were officially called the 25th Anniversary Daytona 500 Pace Car and were finished in a two-tone white/charcoal paint scheme complete with 'Official Pace Car' decals for the door. They had 'NASCAR' decals for the rear quarters and 'Pontiac' decals for the front windshield and rear glass. Decorating the front fenders just above the 'Trans Am' name were '25th Anniversary Daytona 500' emblems. A new graphic adorned the power bulge of the pace car's hood and an 'Aero' ground effects package was also standard equipment and in 1983 only available on the Daytona T/A. The finishing touch was the special 15x7 white 'Aero' wheels. Two powertrain combinations were available on the Daytona T/A - the standard carburetor 305 offering 150 horsepower or the Crossfire Injection 305 with 175 HP. The WS6 suspension package which included rear disc brakes was also standard equipment. All Daytona T/A's came with Recaro seats which were leather-trimmed with suede inserts. The dash gauges were backlit in red, a special dash plaque and 'Daytona 500' floor-mats rounded out the interior package. Notable options included T-tops, heavy-duty radiator, heavy-duty alternator, and 15-inch silver turbo-fin wheels.