With each passing decade, new generations enter the classic car world looking for fun and affordable project cars. In the '80s, the second-gen Camaro and Firebird were common entry-level choices, and in the '90s and early '00s, the third-gen IROC-Z and Trans Am filled the same role. Today, clean examples of all of those cars have become more scarce and therefore more costly. Fourth-gen GM F-body cars like this 1999 Trans Am WS6 offer huge restomod and performance potential without breaking the bank.
Cornell's 1999 Trans Am WS6
Owner and builder Cornell Murphy brought this '99 Trans Am to California for a video with Autotopia LA. This car is unapologetically a drag racing machine, but it's also a clean example of the type of Trans Am that serves as a gateway to restoration and performance mods for many younger enthusiasts.
Cornell's Trans Am is mostly stock outside, with the exception of a Carbon Motorsports carbon fiber Ram Air hood, T-top trim, and rear wing. The interior is also mostly stock, aside from some SLP floor mats and AEM gauges.
The car rides on a set of bronze RaceStar wheels — 17-inch skinnies up front and 15x10-inch rear wheels with 295 Hoosier drag slicks. Cornell converted it to a set of bigger disc brakes from a Cadillac CTS-V for improved stopping power.
The 6.0L LS engine under the hood was bored out to 6.2L and fully built by Cornell's cousin at CNC Motorsports. It features Manley forged rods, a destroked crank, LS3 heads, and a performance cam to produce over 600hp.
To top it off, there's a programmable 300 shot of nitrous oxide that pushes this naturally-aspirated LS engine to a whole new level. The nitrous bottle is concealed under a trim panel in the trunk for a stealthy appearance.
This power goes through a built 4L60e transmission. Aldan American suspension components and chassis braces and swaybars from BMR keep the Trans Am under control at all times.
Cornell told Autotopia LA that he's going to put a cage in the car soon so he doesn't get kicked off the track for breaking the 10-second barrier — sounds like a good problem to have. Check out the full video below to see why a fourth-gen Trans Am like this one makes a great project car for budget-oriented enthusiasts:
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