Respected tuning house Lingenfelter Performance Engineering (LPE) unveiled a back-to-the-future muscle car with its T/A concept at the 2009 SEMA show. Certain to turn heads, the reborn Trans Am applies classic Pontiac cues to a 2010 Camaro, then cranks up the volume with abundant performance upgrades. The result is a clear example of what could have been, where it not for the auto industry crisis.
Inspired by the 1969 original, the exterior makeover features a new front fascia with custom headlamps, grille, and turn signals. The car's fender has a functional side extractor scoop and the rear quarter has a leading edge wheel flair. The rear corners of the car have been extended nearly four inches and are finished with a wrapped down stand-up spoiler. Custom-created taillight housings complete the body work. The rolling stock is custom 20-inch honeycomb wheels wrapping in 275/40ZR20 front and 315/35ZR20 rear Nitto tires.
Inside, the cockpit is dressed with bright blue woven vinyl seat inserts and metal turned instrument panel accents. 
As with any LPE project, there is serious underhood alchemy with the T/A concept. The engine is built around a custom Racing Head Service (RHS) aluminum block with an impressive, and Poncho perfect, 455 cubic-inch displacement. It features 4.155" bore Diamond 11.5:1 compression ratio pistons and a 4.200" stroke Lunati forged crankshaft. LPE-brand CNC ported-and-polished LS7 heads and an LSX FAST 102 intake finish off the engine. The result is a potent, SEMA-worthy 655 horsepower and 610 ft.-lbs. of torque.
With or without the Pontiac division, it is clear tuners could supply 21st-century Firebirds. The Trans Am Depot is looking to produce conversions inspired by the Bandit-era second-generation Firebirds. (See “Sneak Peek: 2010 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am.”)
For now, the LPE car is a concept, but as they say, with a strong enough market response, anything is possible.