Ray DeCrecenzo Wins People’s Choice at The Amelia in Pony Car Class
The Saratoga Automobile Museum is proud to celebrate Museum member and Clifton Park resident Ray DeCrecenzo, whose 1970 Pontiac Trans Am Ram Air IV earned People’s Choice in the Pony Car Class at The Amelia Concours d’Elegance, one of the world’s most recognized collector car events.
DeCrecenzo’s award-winning Trans Am is currently featured in the Museum’s special exhibition, Pontiac: The Dawn of Muscle, on view through Sunday, April 26. The car was removed early from the exhibition to appear at the internationally known concours, where it received this recognition. It will return to the Museum for the final month of the display, accompanied by its awards fresh from Amelia.
Visitors will have the opportunity to see this celebrated Pontiac in person during the exhibition’s final weeks and experience one of the most desirable performance models in Pontiac history.
One of only 88 Trans Ams produced with the high-performance Ram Air IV engine, and just 59 equipped with the close-ratio 4-speed manual transmission, this car represents an exceptionally rare chapter in Pontiac performance.
Introduced midway through the 1970 model year, the 1970 1/2 Firebird marked a major turning point in Pontiac engineering and design. It featured an entirely new body with smoother lines, a lower stance, and improved aerodynamics. With the Trans Am package, Pontiac transformed the Firebird into a true high-performance machine designed for both street and track use.
Distinctive styling features included a functional shaker hood scoop, bold front air dam, rear deck spoiler, and signature blue striping over a white-painted body. These elements were designed for performance as well as appearance. The front air dam helped reduce lift and improve stability at high speeds, while the rear spoiler increased downforce for better handling. Functional brake-cooling ducts helped prevent brake fade under demanding driving conditions.
Power came from Pontiac’s 400-cubic-inch V8, with the optional Ram Air IV producing up to 370 horsepower. Combined with heavy-duty suspension, quick-ratio steering, and the close-ratio 4-speed manual transmission, the Trans Am delivered strong acceleration, responsive handling, and the performance character that defined Pontiac muscle throughout the 1970s.
“The recognition Ray received at The Amelia is a tremendous honor, not only for him, but for the Saratoga Automobile Museum and everyone who has enjoyed seeing this remarkable car in our galleries,” said Megan Hennessey, Executive Director. “We are excited to welcome it back for the final month of Pontiac: The Dawn of Muscle so our visitors can see this award-winning Pontiac up close.”
The Museum invites the public to see this rare and award-winning Trans Am before Pontiac: The Dawn of Muscle closes on Sunday, April 26.