Street Legal 2000HP 1973 Pontiac Trans Am “Hammerhead” | IndyCar Technology
Father-and-son duo Russel and Cavan Cameron have spent years constructing a truly one-of-a-kind car. Their much-beloved “Hammerhead” 1973 Pontiac Trans Am has taken social media by storm, attracting over 128,000 followers on their Horizon Motorsports Instagram page. It’s no mystery why this car draws so much attention – its exceptionally unique style instantly catches attention, and it boasts an incredible drivetrain that roars with raw power.
With its IndyCar-inspired body modifications and powerhouse 9000+ RPM 400 CID LS V8 engine, you would never think this juggernaut of a car would be street-legal. Still, the car is fully road-approved, complete with its Indiana license plate.
The Classic Auto team was fortunate enough to interview the younger of the pair of automotive masterminds, Cavan Cameron. Cavan enthusiastically showed us the ins and outs of their breathtaking 1973 Pontiac Trans Am race car, showcasing the remarkable engineering and creativity that went into building the car.
Origin of the 1973 Trans Am “Hammerhead”
The story of this famous custom ‘73 Pontiac Trans Am began with Cavan’s high school internship. Cavan expressed to Russel his desire to build a race car, while Russel was more interested in working on a Pontiac Trans Am. The pair combined the two ideas and began their work, crafting an eye-catching and innovative design with IndyCar elements and technology.
The duo originally intended to work on the project for only six months, to create a track beater. As their work progressed, Cavan shared photos and videos of the car on social media. The extraordinary vehicle quickly picked up social media traction, eventually attracting its first sponsor, Vibrant Performance.
The team has continued improving upon the car’s showstopping design and specifications for years, attracting even more social media fame and sponsors in the process.
The 1973 Pontiac Trans Am “Hammerhead” Exterior
One of the first features you’ll likely notice on this one-of-a-kind ‘73 Pontiac Trans Am is its stylish front aerodynamic components. The car’s front “aero” components measure 90 inches wide along the car’s front bumper, featuring wing sections and a front splitter.
When you look past these dark and stylish aerodynamic components, you’ll see the car’s dual radiator setup on its hood. Air flows through the car’s elegant grille, passes through the radiator, and exits via the hood vents. The hot air is directed around the sides of the vehicle, bypassing the roof scoop to maintain optimal intake performance.
The rear side of the vehicle features a matching 84-inch wide rear wing and an eye-catching underwing diffuser. The stylish and aggressive diffuser takes up ⅓ of the length of the car and serves an important role in the drivetrain’s forced induction process.
The IndyCar-infused rear side also reveals the car’s Pontiac badge. People often have a great deal of difficulty figuring out this custom car’s model because of its highly unique style. The car’s badge is one of the car’s final unmistakable remnants.
The 1973 Trans Am “Hammerhead” Drivetrain
The Camerons’ breathtaking 1973 Pontiac Trans Am is powered by a 400 CID LS V8 destroked engine, and multiple companies helped create and mold this awe-inspiring unit. Concept Performance developed the Trans Am’s engine block, while Brodix created its cylinder heads. The remarkable engine also features custom grind camshafts crafted by Late Model Engines. This head-turning 2000 HP engine clocks a top speed of 202 mph at 9000 RPM. Interestingly, the car’s engine is set back 28 inches and situated near the car’s dashboard to make room for a double Wishbone pushrod suspension sourced from a 2002 Reynard Champ Car.
The Trans Am’s drivetrain utilizes a masterfully crafted forced induction process, beginning at the car’s roof scoop. The roof scoop channels air to the engine through dual 4-inch inlets. These inlets pass through two rear-mounted G-35 900 Garrett turbos and then through charge tubes. From there, the air passes through a low-profile intake manifold developed by Late Model Engines, which is turned around 180 degrees and features dual throttle body inputs. The air then goes through the car’s high-performing engine. The air passes from the engine to custom-made headers made from Vibrant Performance 304 stainless steel tubing. The exhaust then goes through the middle of the car and returns to the Garrett turbos. Finally, the turbos blow into the diffuser to dump the exhaust.
The Hammerhead’s highly original layout has led some to believe that the vehicle is electric. Cavan noted that the car confuses people because they can’t find its engine and exhaust. They then assume the car is electric because of its roof scoop. Despite its appearance, the car boasts a high-performing LS engine that thunders with incredible power.
The Custom ‘73 Pontiac Trans Am’s Stunning Interior and Advanced Tech
In addition to featuring an exceptional exterior and drivetrain, this raceable ‘73 Trans Am features a stylish cabin and sophisticated steering and power controls. The car’s interior features Sparco Circuit 2 Carbon seats, allowing Cavan to sit comfortably despite his tall height.
The interior’s crème de la crème is its easy to remove steering wheel. Cavan designed the steering wheel’s custom machine housing, which houses a CAN Bus system. A series of buttons adorn the steering wheel, sending signals through four wires within the steering column. These buttons allow drivers to adjust torque control, traction control, and power steering with ease. The steering wheel also includes buttons for turn signals, cycling through dashboard pages, and navigating menu items. Finally, the steering wheel features paddle shifters for swapping gears via the car’s MoTec pneumatic actuator.
Get Premium Insurance For Your One-of-a-Kind Ride
If you’re the proud owner of a classic 1973 Trans Am or another piece of motor history, you need to preserve your cherished vehicle for years to come. Here at Classic Auto, we offer customizable policies based on agreed-upon value. We’ll work with you to determine your car’s value, and build your individualized policy based on this agreed-upon amount.
Whether you own a faithfully restored classic with factory original parts or a one-of-a-kind modified car, like the remarkable “Hammerhead,” Classic Auto is here to deliver dependable, premier insurance you can count on.
Learn more by calling 888-901-1338, or get a quote here.
