Ever hear of the Pontiac Tojan?

[Ringo64]

From Street Legal TV

F-body fans, have you ever heard of the Pontiac Tojan? We are guessing the name doesn’t ring any bells. That’s all right, few people have ever heard of, let alone seen a Tojan. For those of you who do not know, the Pontiac Tojan was a super car built by Knudsen Automotive from 1985 to 1991. While it may look like a kit car or a body kit for a third gen Trans Am we a sure you it’s not. The Tojan was a production sports car that is based off of the F-Body Platform.

According to Ken Lingenfelter these cars were commissioned by GM to be built by Knudsen Automotive. They were built so Pontiac would have a car that was be capable of competing with Ferrari. They wanted a sports car that could go toe to toe with a Ferrari on a road course yet was still affordable to the average American.

Production was limited, only an estimated 150 to 300 Tojans were produced between 1985- 1991. These cars were assembled in Omaha, Nebraska at the Knudsen plant. GM provided Knudsen with GTA frames, Tuned Port Injection 305 engines (LB9′s) and 700R4 Transmissions.Knudsen then beefed up the stock suspension so the Tojan could corner like it was on rails. Then equipped it with power disc brakes on all four wheels and power steering to make handling easier. These mods would allow it to run with the best Ferrari had to offer.

The cosmetics of the car are 100% original, they were designed by Knudsen. The body’s 1980′s styling looks like the radical love child between the Trans Am and the Fiero. The Tojan’s styling was actually heavily influenced by the Ferrari 305. It’s influence can been seen on it’s rear trunk lid and rear tail lights. Further adding to the Italian super car influence, a Lamborghini style wing was available as an option.

The Tojans were then given dished Gotti Wheels which were wrapped in 345/50 R15 tires for added grip. Knudsen then Back to the Futured and Knight Ridered the interior of these cars. They were given leather Recaro seats, a wooden dash which equipped with Back to the Future style digital gauges. They were was also given cruise control, a till steering wheel, power windows, power mirrors, and the power hatch release from the F-Bodies.

The Tojan was a built to order car, to purchase one you simply went to your local Pontiac dealership and they called up Knusden who then shipped it to the dealership. The starting price was $21,995 and the price could climb as high as $55,000 depending on the bells and whistles. These bells included a B&M Supercharger and B&M Superjection as well as a 3.73 Posi. Other options included aforementioned Lambo wing and AM/FM Cassette with Equalizer (that was a big deal in the 80′s).

Besides being designed to compete with Ferrari the Tojan could also be considered GM’s answer to the Ford Saleen Mustangs. The idea behind the Pontiac Tojan was that a drive could build his own super car for a fraction of the price.

While it may not have been a big seller Russ Knusden managed to put a super car in the hands of blue collar Americans. Due to their limited production, perhaps one day the Tojan will become a renowned collector’s item similar to a Cord 812 or the Phantom Cosair. Some love these cars others see it as one of those odd cars from the 80′s. Love it or hate it you gotta admit the Tojan is one wild car.

Pure '80s glory but still pretty neat

[stratman]

Pure '80s glory but still pretty neat

Yep... could definitely see Crockett and Tubbs driving around in that!

[Frosty]

Actually I have heard of the Trojan. I've never seen one up close though.

Coincidentally, Jesse James and crew modified one during an old episode of "Monster Garage", I think it was used to create a "Monster Claus" float for a Christmas parade.

[stratman]

Not exactly the same, Frosty, but maybe built by the same company? The Monster Garage Firebird looks more like a Testarossa than the Tojan.

>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PcPncBEbBSw

[gandhi_2006]

I would actually like one, of course i would drop a diff engine in it.

[Ringo64]

>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PcPncBEbBSw

Is that in French?

[stratman]

Is that in French?

Oh man!... that's too funny!! I had the sound turned off when I posted... what a dope!

[Frosty]

Oh man!... that's too funny!! I had the sound turned off when I posted... what a dope!

Ici, je pensais que tu essayais juste pour divertir nos membres canadiens-français.

[Young gun]

Never heard of it! cool!

[Ghost]

cool. gots a touch of Fiero?

[Frosty]

More information / background on the Pontiac Tojan. Since this thread first started, I have seen one Tojan, in the Ken Lingenfelter collection.

I find it interesting that this exact car hit 206 MPH back in the 1980s, when the mighty Corvette was hamstrung to less than that, and 85 MPH speedometers were the law of the land.

http://gmauthority.com/blog/2019/03/the-pontiac-tojan-put-ferraris-directly-in-its-crosshairs-video/

 

[indymanjoe]

For my next trick i need a trojan and a volunteer...

[Frosty]

I think you can get trojans from the pharmacy counter.

Edited April 11, 2019 by Frosty

[Last Indian]

3 hours ago, Frosty said:

I think you can get trojans from the pharmacy counter.

Maybe slippery fingers Jake could help!

[Frosty]

7 minutes ago, Last Indian said:

Maybe slippery fingers Jake could help!

Yikes, I was kinda hoping that it would be Betty Lou!!! 

[Last Indian]

5 hours ago, Frosty said:

Yikes, I was kinda hoping that it would be Betty Lou!!! 

Oh! You thought I was talking about  I meant the axle work🤥! Oh wrong forum page!

Edited April 11, 2019 by Last Indian

[Frosty]

Wrong forum I think....I think we've strayed way the heck off topic.

[Last Indian]

24 minutes ago, Frosty said:

Wrong forum I think....I think we've strayed way the heck off topic.

We are! My fault 😔 sorry!

[Frosty]

13 hours ago, Last Indian said:

We are! My fault 😔 sorry!

No, it's mine with the pharmacy comment. That took us down the rat hole for sure.