Goodguys Rod & Custom Association announced Angie Johnson and her 1980 Trans Am as the winner of the 2026 Surventis Most Bitchin’ Car of the Year award. The Most Bitchin’ title is part of Goodguys’ premier Top 12 of the Year awards program and was selected during the Goodguys 33rd Summit Racing Lone Star Nationals at Texas Motor Speedway in Fort Worth on Oct. 3.
Johnson said that she’s been fascinated by the late-’70s and early-’80s Trans Ams since they were new. After decades of helping her husband, Alan, build Johnson’s Hot Rod Shop (JHRS) into an elite brand in the rodding world, Johnson decided it was finally time to build the Trans Am she’d wanted since childhood, according to a press release.
The Pontiac now rides on a Roadster Shop chassis, giving the car a more modern performance front suspension; rack-and-pinion steering; a four-link rear suspension; and large Wilwood disc brakes. The 18- and 19-inch custom machined wheels are inspired by the original T/A wheels. Under the hood is a supercharged GM LS-based engine built by NASCAR legend Keith Dorton at Automotive Specialists Racing Engines, producing 830 horsepower.
The JHRS team reworked and refined all the panels to fit better than stock. They also cut and modified the bumper covers to fit better and reinforced them with a custom foam support structure before applying a pearl white paint. The interior was upgraded with white leather throughout, combining details used in both the Anniversary and Pace Car versions of the Trans Am.
“This Trans Am is a tribute to my father, who influenced my love for cars, to George Poteet, who encouraged me to start this project, and to the road tours that inspired me to build this dream car,” Johnson said. “I hope we brought excitement back to Pontiac’s already iconic Pace Car. I finally got the Trans Am I dreamed of as a little girl.”
Goodguys also named a 1967 Firebird the Muscle Machine of the Year as part of the Top 12 of the Year awards at the Summit Racing Lone Star Nationals.