1998 Trans Am HARDTOP one of 2 made according to this...http://lair.evyl.org/1998-Firebird_P...on_Numbers.htm

 

That one was tested by Car and Driver back in 1998. Aside from the hardtop it's also unique in that it has the 17" WS6 wheels without the ram air hood. I don't know for certain what happened to it, but in keeping with most GM test cars they probably still have it. That is assuming it hasn't been crushed yet.

 

Those look like 16" wheels to me.

 

except those are 16" trans am wheels.

most of the press cars are destroyed.

ever seen the ads for the 98 t/a? check my avatar. that car had a ram air hood and 16s.

 

I stand corrected, old age is catching up with me. It was Motor Trend that tested a red 1998 Trans Am in September of 1997 that had the WS6 wheels without the hood.

In any event I wish Pontiac had offered a hardtop option on the Trans Am.

 

why do they smash the press cars, such a waste

 

Yes it is a waste. It's sad to think that so many unique pieces of automotive history are lost forever that way.

 

often times they're pre-production cars with no VIN, or an incomplete VIN and after they get thrashed, they just crunch em.

 

Wondering if anybody notices the cars says firebird on the filler panel, and trans am on the door emblems!

 

I did not notice it until I looked at the PICs a few times.

 

I remember that Car and Driver Article and the car also had a Cloth Interior.
The Cover said something like "New Engine pushes Trans Am to 159 mph"