It became clear that Pontiac, despite having an underpowered car on their hands, wanted the world to know that the T/A was a contender in the performance marketplace.

If we were to step into a time machine and go back to the year 1982, we would find ourselves in an entirely different world. Finally emerging out of the Disco era, and into the Punk and New-Wave movement, the country was certainly going through a change.

If you need an example, look no further than the completely redesigned Trans Am of that year. The Firebird (along with its cousin the Camaro) had long been overdue for a restyle after its previous design had been roaming the earth for 12 model years.

The hood bird was removed, the graphics were toned down significantly, and the Shaker scoop (long since sealed off anyway) was replaced by a single futuristic, off-center scoop that was not unlike those found on the ’80-’81 Turbo Firebird models.

The entire car was completely redone; top-to-bottom, inside and out. It also dropped 500lbs in weight over its predecessor and was the first year of production with something that became all of the rage in the 1980’s; pop up headlights, which every Firebird would have until production ceased in 2002.

The Trans Am no longer relied on Pontiac motivational either; instead the buyer had a choice of either a 145hp Chevrolet 305 or a Cross-Fire Injection 165hp version of the same motor. Today, we would consider this level of horsepower an economy car, but for the era, this was a high performance road burner. Tragic.

As a result of this show's popularity, kids across the nation grew up wanting to drive a Trans Am of their own someday..

So what we were left with instead was an aerodynamic, well-handling sport coupe with great looks but no guts. To make matters worse; the 9-bolt rear end was weak, the 3-speed automatic and 4-speed manuals were garbage, and the initial buyer response was slow until NBC released Knight Rider. After which, everybody wanted to be Michael Knight, and it showed in both Firebird and Camaro sales.

So out of love and respect for the Firebirds “growing pains-generation,” here’s what we are assuming is a dealer-sourced advertisement for the 1982 Firebirds. They discuss all three levels of Firebird trim; base, Trans Am, and a short-lived packaged called “S/E” (Special Edition) which served as a mid-level, luxury package until the Formula returned for 1987.

This video has it all; a leather Members Only jacket, big hair, post-Disco era/porno music, and weirdly, two lovely-looking ladies firing rifles at clay discs. Either that or they are shooting their Leif Garrett records from when they were a little younger.