---
title: "This 1985 Pontiac Trans-Am Kammback Wagon Is the Real Deal"
description: "Meet G.M.’s official test mule for the muscle breadvan that never was."
date: "2016-12-31"
modified: "2017-01-05"
authors:
  - name: "Max Prince"
    link: "https://www.thedrive.com/authors/max-prince"
url: "https://www.thedrive.com/vintage/6746/this-1985-pontiac-trans-am-kammback-wagon-is-the-real-deal"
categories:
  - "News"
tags:
  - "Auction"
  - "concept"
  - "Pontiac"
  - "Trans Am"
  - "vintage"
  - "Wagon"
---

# This 1985 Pontiac Trans-Am Kammback Wagon Is the Real Deal

![](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/images-by-url-td/content/archive-images/200963_front_3-4_web.png>)
*\<em\>www.thedrive.com</em>*

You are looking at a wormhole into a wonderful, bizarre alternate timeline.

Here, G.M. followed through on its [1970 Camaro Kammback concept](<https://assets.blog.hemmings.com/wp-content/uploads//2015/04/1970-Chevrolet-Camaro-Kammback-Concept-DN619-0278.jpg>), successor to the beloved Nomad wagon. The facelifted second-gen [Pontiac Firebird “Type K” aero study](<https://assets.blog.hemmings.com/wp-content/uploads//2015/04/61669.jpg>), coachbuilt by Pininfarina for G.M. design boss Bill Mitchell, and [featured on *The Rockford Files*](<https://youtu.be/qw54K6gdXJk?t=30m10s>) in 1979, went into production. The shooting brake was a smash hit, naturally, because who doesn’t want a 4-barrel Firebird with a Gullwing-style hatch? But now there’s a problem. How will G.M. follow up on its best-selling wagon?

Enter: The 1985 Pontiac Trans-Am Kammback Concept. Our hero is based on the third-gen hatchback, but trades that boring liftgate for a sleek, glassy, sportwagon rear. It’s got the G-code 305ci H.O. V8, as well as a five-speed manual transmission, and comes loaded. Features include air-conditioning, cruise control, AM/FM stereo cassette, and T/A mag wheels, plus power steering, brakes, windows, and door locks. Also t-tops. Always t-tops.

![200963\_rear\_3-4\_web.png](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/content/archive-images/200963_rear_3-4_web.png>)
**Barrett Jackson**

The sad reality, of course, is that the 1970 Kammback died in design, the result of a tooling conflict because the Camaro and Trans-Am didn’t share the same doors. The “Type K” was approved for production, but died when Pininfarina sent Mitchell the bill. To turn a profit, G.M. would’ve had to sell each Firebird wagon for $25,000 (some $83,000 in today’s money) at a time when the top-trim Trans-Am stickered under $6,000. There was a company in California that built a few replicas. That’s about it. The 1985 Pontiac Trans-Am Kammback Concept didn’t make it either.

![nsn-ta8511.jpg](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/content/archive-images/nsn-ta8511.jpg>)
**Pro Team Corvette**

But! Pontiac did build four test mules. You’re looking at EX4796, as featured on the cover of *Motor Trend*’s August 1985 issue. It’s optioned-out, with all the kit listed above, and holds the distinction of having served as a pace car for PPG/CART and IMSA. Stillborn concepts usually go to the crusher, but EX4796 escaped to the Pontiac Engineering Car Collection, where it stayed until the mid-1990s. It was then acquired and restored by collector John McMullen.

If you like a world where G.M. builds Trans-Am breadvans, submit a bid on EX4796 at the Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale auction website [here](<https://www.barrett-jackson.com/Events/Event/Details/1985-PONTIAC-TRANS-AM-KAMMBACK-CONCEPT-200963>).

### Author social links  
[Twitter](<https://twitter.com/themaxprince>)