Today’s Rare Ride is largely forgotten. Some call it a “super car,” while others argue over whether it was a kit car or a production vehicle. It seems to be the latter, not that it makes much of a difference 25 years later when so few were made.
Come along and learn about Tojan, a very special take on a Pontiac.
Underneath the Tojan were the bones of a third-generation Pontiac Firebird, the F-body sports car in production from 1982 to 1992. We’ve covered one of those previously in Rare Rides, as the Kammback, a shooting brake design exercise.
According to 2013 reporting at Street Muscle Magazine which cited Ken Lingenfelter, GM wanted to offer a high-performance version of the Firebird and contacted Knudsen Automotive in Omaha sometime in the early Eighties. A deal was struck, and a prototype developed. The prototype Tojan was quite something, with a twin-turbo V8 engine good for 800 horsepower, and a confirmed top speed of 206 miles per hour. However, the production version was a bit different from the prototype. Between 1985 and 1990 GM sent over Trans Am GTA chassis, along with the 305 (5.0L) Chevy V8 as the basis for the Tojan. Knudsen did some additional work to up the performance ante of the Tojan: a sportier suspension, disc brakes at all four corners, and power steering. The twin-turbo V8 idea was not executed.
Obviously, the additional suspension and braking performance of the Tojan needed some visual recognition as well, and Knudsen designed a new body. Theoretically inspired by the Ferrari 308, the Tojan was available in coupe and convertible format, and a big rear wing like one might find on a Lamborghini Countach was offered as an optional extra. Inside, Recaro seats, wood trim, and digital gauges replaced all standard Pontiac fare. Also standard were luxury power options like windows, mirrors, and the rear hatch release. It seems all examples were fitted with an automatic transmission, owing to their performance luxury mission and GTA roots.
Customers interested in a Tojan ordered one directly through select Pontiac dealers for later delivery. Per a Tojan ad (taken in front of a real Virginia Beach restaurant) from May 1988, neither version was particularly affordable. Coupes asked $21,995 ($49,000 adjusted), and the convertible required $26,995 ($60,000 adjusted). For reference, in 1988 a Cadillac Eldorado went for $24,891, and a Trans Am GTA was $19,000. Now, these were base prices. With options like a supercharger, special injection, and a 3.73 rear-end the price could reach $55,000 ($123,000 adjusted). As a result, Tojan production was low: Between 150 and 300 examples were made, depending on which expert you ask.
Today’s 1987 Tojan is yellow and black like a bruised banana. It’s the more expensive (and presumably rarer) convertible version, and is for sale right now in South Carolina. With a damaged title, it’s yours for $25,000.
[Images: Tojan]
It looks like putting the wheels at the corners was not the fashion back in 1987. Those overhangs are ridiculous.
I would say your take on the wheel position is ridiculous.
Because it’s nothing more than fashion. And who are you or anyone else to comment on fashion.
I stand humbled and embarrassed.
I rise to point out that the wheels on most automobiles provide a very important function [or set of functions], one might say inherent to the nature and purpose of the machine. Furthermore, design choices regarding the location of such wheels often have a direct bearing on the function and operation of the vehicle.
Fashion is fine as fashion goes, but sometimes fashion affects function in adverse ways and then your sales go down the crapper.
But nevermind the car – check out the portholes on that house!!
If you’re ever wondering where all of the leftover plastic from the Bonneville SSE cladding and panels from the Fiero went, you have your answer. This has a certain “Super Turbo Mode” from KITT vibe.
Naming a car after a podiatric malady was a very bad idea.
Never heard of these.
But I think this is one case where rare does not equal valuable and an unmodified Trans Am would be a better long term bet.
3.73s were an option? What did they come with as standard? Or was it a ‘Positraction’ differential that was the option?
Kind of wonder if anyone named Earl ever bought one.
It’s the top secret 1987 TR8-300ZX!
What’s a Ferrari 305?
A 308 with three misfiring cylinders, perhaps?
Maybe the “305” comes with: “Compomotive Wheels”?
After looking at the engine, had 305 on the brain.
Why does this remind me of the 6000 SUX?
So $100K+ adjusted with most options but no leather (or other custom seating surface) on the convertible model?
Value.
Cory, perhaps you could next track down a Kenny Brown Outlaw Mustang (or VERY rare SWB MN12 T-Bird) to keep up the “weird 80s performance shops in Omaha” theme?
Kenny Brown I can do, but I’m not sure there’s enough info out there on the Auto Kraft SWB alterations.
Nice car.
well…at least it wasnt made by a company named Khamel…
I love when you guys show me some stuff I never seen before and indeed I’ve never seen this thing before since depending on when it was produced starting at 87 I may or may not have been born good job though!