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Pontiac is too perfect to part with

While walking out of New Trier High School one spring day, Ira Kessler laid eyes on “the most beautiful thing I'd ever seen in my life.”

It was 1971 and Kessler, a high school junior at the time, caught sight of a new Pontiac Firebird Trans Am.

“I was mesmerized,” the current Palatine resident said. “I had to own one someday.”

The enthusiast grew up in a Pontiac-driving family. Kessler's dad purchased a new Catalina in 1965 and every September, when the new Pontiac models came out, the father would take his two sons to Public Pontiac in Skokie. There the three Kesslers would peer through the windows to gaze at the newest four-wheeled offerings.

Kessler graduated from college, started down his career path and decided to “finally pull the trigger” on his dream purchase in 1977. Again accompanied by his dad, he headed back to Public, which by this time was Dick Ludwig Pontiac, to pick out his ride.

“On the showroom floor was a blue '78 model. I just fell in love with it,” Kessler said. Smitten with the hue, Kessler ordered the same Martinique Blue for his Trans Am. While filling out his order form, he ticked the boxes for nearly every option available. The total bill rang up to $7,491.

That price included the massive 6.6-liter, high-performance V-8 paired with an automatic transmission.

“I test drove a four-speed manual but had to slouch to fully press (down) the clutch pedal,” Kessler said.

He also opted to forego one iconic Firebird feature. Kessler didn't request the T-top roof, unsure of its structural rigidity.

Later that fall on Oct. 31, he received the much-anticipated phone call. “The dealer said, ‘Happy Halloween! Your car is here!',” Kessler said. It also happened to be one day before Kessler's birthday. “It was the best present I could ask for!”

The vehicle pulled daily-driver duty for the next two years, including sloughing through the slushy Midwest winters. After one snowfall, Kessler was at a stoplight and experienced the raw potency of his Pontiac.

“The roads were like glass. I took my foot off the brake and the idle speed alone caused the car to start dancing out toward the car in the next lane.”

Warmer memories occurred at Road America in Wisconsin during June Sprint races. In the summer of 1979 and '80, Kessler participated in the Trans Am Territory, a section designated to the Pontiac muscle car.

“The highlight was all of us, nearly 75 cars, doing a slow parade lap together on the track.”

In the following years Kessler's 'Bird got put on the slow track and was used less and less. In 1987 the car was “starting to show some rough spots” so Kessler had it repainted. Trying to minimize costs, Kessler opted to leave the iconic “screaming chicken” hood graphic off.

More years passed and Kessler's commitment to the Pontiac waned. On several occasions he considered selling it. However, his Firebird remained and in 2007, with nearly 100,000 miles showing on the odometer, a head gasket replacement was in order.

Kessler saved up until 2013 when he could afford to have the engine pulled out for a full and proper overhaul.

“Driving it makes me feel like I'm 25 again,” Kessler said. “Even after all this time, I'm still surprised how low it sits. It's a shock to be that close to the ground.”

• For comments and suggestions, email auto@dailyherald.com.

Ira and Janice Kessler of Palatine, and their son Kyle, enjoy the Firebird now that it is back on the road.
Kessler, he car's original owner, fell in love with the Martinique Blue hue of his Trans Am.
Kessler opted for an automatic transmission when ordering his 1978 Firebird.
The Pontiac is powered by a 6.6-liter, high-performance V-8 engine.
This window sticker is a reminder of Kessler's participation in the Trans Am Territory events at the Road America racetrack near Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin.
After more than 100,000 miles, the car's engine was rebuilt in 2013.
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