For this week’s Throwback video, I have dug up the original 1998 Pontiac Firebird commercial which introduced the TV world to the LS1 powered Pontiac muscle car.
This clip features three late 4th generation Firebirds rolling through a battered urban area (that very well could be Detroit.) The soundtrack is provided by the then-new LS1 V8…revving and revving as this trio of Pontiac F-Bodies roll through the side streets in the dark.
The 4th gen Firebird has a very recognizable look in the dark, with the pop up headlights and centered, round fog lights – which they all seem to need in this steam-filled commercial. We also get a look at the raised cowl induction style hood as the Firebird coupes all roll past the camera.
One these three LS1 powered Pontiac Firebird coupes get out of the alleys and onto the main road, they spread out and the “lead” car continues to rev before launching when the traffic light turns green. Of course, the sound is a big part of what makes this old school commercial so cool so crank up your speakers and enjoy!
"Before I was old enough to walk, my dad was taking me to various types of racing events, from local drag racing to the Daytona 500," says Patrick Rall, a lifetime automotive expert, diehard Dodge fan, and respected auto journalist for over 10 years. "He owned a repair shop and had a variety of performance cars when I was young, but by the time I was 16, he was ready to build me my first drag car – a 1983 Dodge Mirada that ran low 12s. I spent 10 years traveling around the country, racing with my dad by my side. While we live in different areas of the country, my dad still drag races at 80 years old in the car that he built when I was 16 while I race other vehicles, including my 2017 Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat and my 1972 Dodge Demon 340.
"Although I went to college for accounting, my time in my dad’s shop growing up allowed me the knowledge to spend time working as a mechanic before getting my accounting degree, at which point I worked in the office of a dealership group. While I was working in the accounting world, I continued racing and taking pictures of cars at the track. Over time, I began showing off those pictures online and that led to my writing.
"Ten years ago, I left the accounting world to become a full-time automotive writer and I am living proof that if you love what you do, you will never “work” a day in your life," adds Rall, who has clocked in time as an auto mechanic, longtime drag racer and now automotive journalist who contributes to nearly a dozen popular auto websites dedicated to fellow enthusiasts.
"I love covering the automotive industry and everything involved with the job. I was fortunate to turn my love of the automotive world into a hobby that led to an exciting career, with my past of working as a mechanic and as an accountant in the automotive world provides me with a unique perspective of the industry.
"My experience drag racing for more than 20 years coupled with a newfound interest in road racing over the past decade allows me to push performance cars to their limit, while my role as a horse stable manager gives me vast experience towing and hauling with all of the newest trucks on the market today.
