INTERVIEW: ‘Trans Am’ follows two brothers on search for motor-resurrection
Photo: A close-up of an LSX engine on the new Discovery series Trans Am. Photo courtesy of Discovery / Provided with permission.
Trans Am is the new reality series on Discovery Channel that follows Scott and Tod Warmack as they try to revive interest in the iconic vehicular brand. Each week, they will restore old models of the car and also make new creations, all while trying to impress clients and drum up support for the car that the late Burt Reynolds drove in Smokey and the Bandit.
New episodes premiere Tuesdays at 10 p.m. on the network.
Recently, Scott and Tod exchanged emails with Hollywood Soapbox about their work on Trans Am vehicles and their hope for the future of the so-called muscle car. Questions and answers have been slightly edited for style. The brothers answered the questions together.
What specifically do you love about the Trans Am?
Split grill, (characteristic of the Pontiac brand) shaker scoop, deck lid spoiler and aggressive stance.
How did you acquire the brand rights to the car?
We inquired to SCCA [Sports Club Car of America] in 2011, who owns the name, the same company GM paid for the brand use from 1969-2002. There were other companies trying to acquire at the time, but we were selected.
How does Burt Reynolds factor into Trans Am’s history?
Burt actually made the Trans Am a household name with the success of Smokey and the Bandit. He became synonymous with the brand. Trans Am owes its success to the Bandit.
How difficult is the process of restoration on these vehicles?
Very, very time consuming! A lot of time is invested into sourcing new parts and refurbishing old parts. The skill set required to do a concourse restoration is very specialized and is one honed from years of experience.
Do you always agree as brothers and coworkers?
Most of the time, yes! We may have our moments of disagreement, but at the end of the day, we want the same thing.
By John Soltes / Publisher / John@HollywoodSoapbox.com
Trans Am premieres new episodes Tuesdays at 10 p.m. on Discovery Channel. Click here for more information.
