1971 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am – 335 Horsepower

If there's an American muscle car that stood out for its power in the 1970s, it's the Pontiac Firebird Trans Am, from early models to the 1973-'74 Firebird Trans Am 455 SD. In 1971, the Firebird Trans Am was Pontiac's performance leader, featuring just one engine, a 455 cu-in High Output V8.

The biggest motor ever offered in a pony car at the time, this 455 cu-in V8 featured cylinder heads and the camshaft from the 345-hp Ram Air 400. It also used an aluminum intake manifold Pontiac lifted from the Pontiac GTO Judge's 370-hp 400 Ram Air IV engine. As a result, it had 335 horses and 480 lb-ft of torque at a useful, 3,600 rpm to dominate the streets.