With engine power improving throughout the 1990s, buyers faced a wide choice of vehicles for those wishing to scratch their performance itch. One of the more potent was the Trans Am SLP Firehawk. A joint venture between Pontiac and a third-party specialist engineering firm, these cars were seriously fast. Our feature Firehawk is a 2002 Convertible, and my research suggests it could be one of the rarest of that breed. It presents superbly, which is unsurprising since it has a genuine 7,000 miles on the clock. It could also represent affordable muscle, with the bidding relatively subdued. The Trans Am is listed here on eBay in Paterson, New Jersey. The price sits beyond the reserve at $12,822, with time remaining on this auction.

Pontiac’s Fourth Generation Firebird range has never enjoyed the ready acceptance of its predecessors in the classic market. Some find the styling just a bit too radical, which is a shame because they were genuinely good cars. The 2002 model year also marked the end of the line for the company’s revered pony car badge, with Pontiac ceasing to exist only a few years later. The Trans Am version provided excellent performance, but options were available for those craving more. Pontiac joined forces with a company called SLP Engineering, and its magic touch transformed an already potent machine into something genuinely special. This Convertible is one of those cars, presenting superbly in Bright Red with a contrasting White power top and matching stripes. Finding anything worthy of criticism is almost impossible, with this Trans Am living a sheltered life. It has a genuine 7,000 miles on its odometer, and the lack of active use hasn’t allowed it to accumulate the chips, marks, and panel defects that might be expected on any vehicle of this age. I hesitate to class it as factory-fresh, but its overall condition guarantees it will turn heads. The paint shines beautifully, the panels are laser straight, the top is spotless, and the stripes look crisp. The Trans Am rolls on its original chrome 17″ wheels, an optional part of the Firehawk package.

Powering this Trans Am is the 5.7-liter LS1 V8 that sends its power to the road via a six-speed manual transmission. This offered impressive performance in standard form, but the alliance between Pontiac and SLP Engineering bore fruit in engine performance and handling. SLP performed engine upgrades and fitted a composite hood with functional intakes that unleashed 345hp and 345 ft/lbs of torque. The 17″ wheels were wrapped in enormous Firestone Firehawk tires, with the suspension receiving a range of Bilstein upgrades. The result was a package with exceptional road-holding and the ability to storm the ¼-mile in 13.5 seconds. If the driver were brave enough to keep the pedal to the metal, the LS1 would run out of breath with the needle nudging 170mph. The seller indicates this car is in excellent mechanical health. They don’t mention evidence supporting their mileage claim, but the car’s overall condition makes it plausible.

Finding a perfect interior in a car of this caliber is unsurprising. It hasn’t had the opportunity to accumulate the wear and tear we might typically expect. There are no faults or imperfections worth noting, so let’s head to the main course and see what the new owner receives regarding safety and comfort features. There are dual airbags, supple leather trim, air conditioning, power windows, power locks, a power driver’s seat, power mirrors, cruise control, a leather-wrapped tilt wheel, and a premium Pontiac Monsoon AM/FM radio/CD player.

I described this 2002 Pontiac Trans Am SLP Firehawk Convertible as rare, and that is no idle statement. The company produced 1,501 Firehawks in 2002, but only twenty-six buyers ordered a Bright Red Convertible with a six-speed transmission. This is one of those cars, and the odometer reading places it in elite company. The Firehawk was expensive in 2002, but they have become more affordable with age. When researching production totals, I uncovered a previous successful auction for this car. It changed hands in April 2022 for $30,000. Values haven’t climbed since, and recent results suggest it will struggle to achieve that figure again. However, with the reserve met, it is guaranteed to find a new home. Are you tempted to make it yours?