Carl Black Blackbirds Lot#1

The Carl Black Pontiac "Blackbird" Trans Am

Carl Black Pontiac GMC located in Atlanta, GA decided to take factory spec WS6 TAs and make a few special modified TAs for sale to the public. An excerpt from the original "Blackbird" web page follows:

"In February of 2001, Carl Black produced the first series of High Performance Pontiac Trans Ams in memory of the late Muscle Car Era. Our goal at Carl Black, was to produce a performance car that combines the nostalgic feel and sound of the Sixties with the technology, power, handling and style of today. The result was the Black Bird, the pinnacle of 35 years of muscle cars. Fifty of these specialty vehicles were sold to collectors and power enthusiasts across the Country.
Each Black Bird starts out as a stock Pontiac Trans Am WS6 Ram Air with LS1 5.7 liter V-8 engine, 6-speed manual transmission and Hurst shift linkage. Carl Black´s high performance modifications include a 380 horsepower / 400 ft lb torque engine package, short throw shifter, high flow air box lid, chambered cat back exhaust, front and rear Eibach 1.5" lowering springs, dimpled front and rear disc brake rotors and Torq-Thrust II 17" ARE wheels.
The Black Bird´s performance is very impressive, doing 0 to 60 mph in just 4.40 seconds, and turning the quarter mile in 12.87 seconds at 111 mph. The cat back 3 chambered exhaust system provides increased horsepower and an impressive note reminiscent of the late 1960´s muscle cars. The under-drive pulley system delivers 337 horsepower to the rear wheels. The dimpled rotors add additional cooling to the 4 wheel disc brakes, and the lowered suspension offers improved handling and control.
The Black Bird appearance package features dual 380 HP hood accent stripes, Black Bird Cloisonné hood and fender badging, Metallic Silver rear lower panel, all new silver face gauges on the instrument panel, nostalgic black shift ball, auto dimming rearview mirror with compass, Mobil 1 oil fill cap and decal, car cover and floormats with embroidered Black Bird logo.
Only 50 Black Birds were produced. Each car´s number is displayed on the windshield and rear view mirror, and is stamped on the engine and exhaust manifold. The Black Bird was only offered as a complete package, and only from Carl Black."

GMMG was responsible for converting the TAs from their stock form to the Blackbirds that were offered for sale by Carl Black Pontiac. Visit their website for more information: GMMG

2002 Carl Black Anniversary Edition #01
Owner: Joe McCausland


The new owner of this rare and unique TA recently contacted me. Joe McCausland is the new owner and he writes: "Great Website! I have some updated information about the Carl Black / GMMG cars for 2002 - and some great pictures for you! I recently purchased car number 1 of the 35th Anniversary Firebird series, based on the Blackbird Trans Am. I had been looking for a limited edition, or anniversary Trans Am for some time, when I came across this car on Ebay in the summer of 2004. Talk about a collector's dream - car number 1 in a series of only 19 promotional cars! Here's the scoop - only 50 original Blackbirds were produced, and sold so quickly that Carl Black Pontiac wanted another series of 50 high performance Trans Ams, which they would refer to as the "35th Anniversary Firebird" package. These cars had the same performance modifications as the Blackbirds, but sported unique Anniversary badges/emblems and different nostalgic wheels. The production run of these cars was cut short due to General Motors legal issues, and only 17 promotional cars were allowed to continue to full production, with 2 additional cars being pushed through late by Carl Black's sales manager, for a total of 19 Anniversary edition cars. This information is direct from Matt Murphy, president/founder of GMMG. I am the second owner of this car, which had 5,000 miles on the odometer when I purchased it. Exterior is Arctic White, with Blue 380HP callout stripes on the hood (reminiscent of the 1969 Trans Am). Interior is black leather, white Hurst shift knob with short-throw performance linkage, Anniversary specific gauge cluster and floormats. See attached photos of the car, including its advertisement in Pontiac Enthusiast magazine. These cars represent the pinnacle of Pontiac's all-American muscle - a thrill to own, show and most importantly drive!" Joe McCausland Waupaca, WI

2002 Carl Black Anniversary/Year One Edition #05

This Carl Black Anniversary Edition Formula is currently up for sale for anyone who's been looking for one. The current owner allowed me to display his fantastic images here on the site to add one more documented Anniversary Edition to the collection. Some details about this particular car. This is 1 of 12 Formulas converted into Anniversary Editions by GMMG. Its also 1 of 7 that received the Stage I Kit (380hp / 400tq). It may also be 1 of only 2 to be ordered with a cloth interior. Finally this is also a Year One Edition "Anniversary Edition" Formula. Year One partnered with Carl Black Pontiac to produce a limited run of Formulas with many of the same performance options and styling cues of the hugely popular Blackbirds. The car currently has only 6k miles on it and its in excellent shape for its age, primarily due to the care taken to store it out of the weather by the first two owners. The Year One package for these formulas included the following:

Ram Air/ WS6 Package
Factory Ram Air Hood
New Hi-Flow Air Box Lid with Special Year One Edition Decal
Mobil 1 Oil Fill and Cap
Short Throw Hurst 6-Speed Shifter and Ball
Rearview Mirror with Compass, Auto Dimmer and Outside Temperature Gauge
Unique Vehicle Production Number
Special Edition Floor Mats
Special Year One Edition Embroidered Head Rests

Cat-back Chambered Exhaust
Front and Rear Eibach 1.5" Lowering Springs
Dimpled Front and Rear Rotors
American Racing S2000 17" Wheels
Custom White Face Gauges
Special Exterio Badging
Exterior Side Body Formula Accent Stripes
Accent Color Rear Lower Panel
Optional Red Leather Seat Inserts

2002 Carl Black Anniversary Edition #06

When I purchased my 2002 TA, I decided I wanted black or platinum and ultimately purchased the platinum TA I own now. Having seen a few this color, I often wish I had decided on it instead. Its really an amazing color and really sets off this Blackbird. The car was sold recently and the seller was kind of enough to send in these pics. He writes:

"Hi, I'm going to be selling an Anniversary Edition 02 TA from Carl Black that is supposed to be one that came from the factory w/ the 435 upgrade. I'm not finding any info on this car w/ the upgrade and was wondering if you knew anything. The owner thinks this could be the only one to come from the factory w/ this upgrade. Any light you can shed would be appreciated."

According to the window sticker in the last pic, the car was equipped as follows:

380hp/400tq package
Phase II 435hp Upgrade Package (Purchased by the customer directly through GMMG)
Cat Back Chambered Exhaust
High Flow Air Box Lid w/ Anniversary Edition Decal
Front and Rear Eibach 1.5" Lowering Springs
200-S 17x9 ARE Wheels
Slotted Front and Rear Rotors
Dual Hood Accent Stripes
Metallic Silver Lower Rear Panel
Anniversary Edition Floor Mats

Short Stick Shifter w/ White Hurst Shift Ball
Anniversary Edition Numbered Key Fobs
Horsepower Console Plaque
Car Cover w/ Anniversary Edition Logo
Anniversary Edition Cloisonne Fender Emblems
All New Silver Face Gauges
Car Number on Windshield and Rear View Mirror
Rear View Mirror with Auto Dimmer, Compass, and Temperature Gauge
Mobil 1 Oil Fill Cap and Decal

2002 Carl Black "Blackbird" #32
Owner: Matt Phillips




There were only 50 380HP Black Birds produced for 2002. These cars were produced by GMMG for Carl Black Pontiac and were priced around $45,000. The Black Bird begins as a standard Trans Am WS6 with all available options including the Ram Air Induction System, 6-speed manual tranny, T-tops, and 275/40/17 Eagle F1 Tires. Several extra options are then installed to produce the Black Bird (see option list at top of the page). This amazing Trans Am is sure to be highly collectable in the coming years due to the ultra-low production runs, much like the DKM TAs of the '70s and '80s. Matt Phillips recently contacted me and is the current owner of #32. Matt writes: "Jimmy, I have been in contact with Matt Murphy and was able to pick up a BlackBird dash plaque, BB car cover and BB key FOB. I have attached a couple photos below that you can view. I was happy to find out that I was able to get my first selection for my license plate [BL BRD 32] standing for Black Bird #32. I am planning to attend the F-Body Bash at Indy in 2 weeks where I am planning to meet Matt Murphy and get him to autograph my car along with a few photos with him, myself and the car. One note: You may already know this but all the Carl Black BlackBird cars have GMMG and C## (mine is C32 for car #32) stamped on the right front side of the exhaust manifold. I thought that makes the car personal for each car number and would be hard to reproduce." Regards, Matt Phillips BlackBird Car #32

2001 Carl Black "Blackbird" #03



There were only 50 380hp Blackbirds produced in 2001. This bright red black bird is car #03. It was featured in their Dupont Registry Ads. The Black Bird begins as a standard Trans Am WS6 with all available options including the Ram Air Induction System, 6-speed manual tranny, T-tops, and 275/40/17 Eagle F1 Tires. Several extra options are then installed to produce the Black Bird (see option list at top of the page).