DKM Macho Trans Ams Lot#12

1997 20th Anniv. Macho Trans Am #001

owner: Rob Thomas

Dennis Mecham began modifying Firebirds again in 1998. Here's the story about how it happened:

Webmaster's Note: The following excerpt was written by Todd Coombes. Although he no longer owns this car, I have kept the following for historical information purposes:

"While I was working on the Macho and MSE book that will be coming out around the first of the year ('99), Dennis Mecham and I started talking about what a fourth generation Macho T/A might include. As we discussed the possibilities, I noticed Dennis was getting enthused about the idea so I continued talking about it. After a while I asked Dennis what he thought about the remote chance of actually building a new Macho - especially since it was the 20th anniversary of the first Macho T/A. He considered the alternatives and said he would think about it. From that point on, enthusiasm grew and the next six months was an exciting time of prototyping, researching, fabricating, turning wrenches, losing sleep, talking to suppliers, dealers, mechanics and racers. Finally, the new Macho was born. It was really all Dennis and Kyle. I provided some research and some financing, but Dennis and Kyle did all of the design and engineering. I spent some time with them during the design phase as a "casual observer" and I can truly say these guys are Motor-head Artists to the nth degree. All of the hood and wing lines seemed to flow naturally from the car itself, but it took Dennis and Kyle to bring it out. After the designing, prototyping and planning phases, actual build time was fast. It had to be ... Hot Rod Magazine was coming out to do a story (October issue) and the cars (the three prototypes) had to be ready. I didn't even see a picture of my car. The first time I saw it was after the Hot Rod
interview, Dennis shipped the car to me and I saw it after it was unloaded from the trailer. Timing again was critical because I was taking it to the Trans Am Nationals in Dayton, Ohio the NEXT DAY. (Talk about cutting it close!) The first time I saw the car I couldn't believe it. I couldn't take my eyes off of it, but even better was the sound of the engine when I started it up. I have heard a lot and driven a lot of third and fourth generation Firebirds (including three Firehawks I own), but none even comes close in looks, sound and performance of the '97 Macho. Of the three prototypes, my car had the most "goodies" including a 383 stroker motor (472hp dyno), Centerforce clutch, carbon-fiber drive shaft, 3.73 rear gears, custom heavy duty radiator, awesome exhaust by Pro-Dyno and B&B, full suspension treatment, Baer brakes, Simmons wheels and Michelin Pilot tires, and much more! I have not yet taken it to the track, but I can tell you it will do 0-60 in a heartbeat and the Pilots stick like glue (315 35's in the back don't hurt!) A good driver, a good day and reasonable traction would see this car into the 11's without a doubt (I have done some drag racing, so I am fairly certain about this). That's all fun and fine, but I love people's reaction to the car. It is definitely "In your face" and you gotta love it or hate it - No passive responses. The TA Nationals gave me a good opportunity to listen to the comments coming from mostly a Firebird crowd. Everything from, "WOW! I can't believe it ... I want to order one today!", to "That's a BIG WANG, dude.", to "Too bad it hasn't got an SD455 under the hood." The guys from SLP spent a lot of time looking it over and I noticed they have postponed displaying their newest revised Firehawk hood until they figure out how to do heat extractors like the Macho. The best story, though, is what happened when I took the car out for my first ride from the car transporters' office. I got on it a little bit and took a few hard turns, just to get the feel and after five minutes I pulled back into the transporters' place. 30 seconds later, a 30th anniversary Camaro SS pulled in and the driver jumped out and just stood there looking at the Macho for at least a couple of minutes. He finally said, "Whoa! How can I get one of these?"