Engine and Transmission Engine: Cast iron Pontiac 535, Edelbrock Round Port cylinder heads (CNC ported by Gaydosh Performance), Clevite bearings, Total Seal piston rings, COMP Cams camshaft, PAC springs, Jesel rocker arms, PRP Racing billet aluminum valve covers, Moroso vacuum pump Machining by: Straub Technologies, Gaydosh Performance Induction and Fuel System: Wilson intake manifold, Holley carburetor, MagnaFuel fuel pump, K&N air cleaner Ignition and Electrical: MSD distributor, crank trigger, coil, and delay box; CSR High Torque starter Exhaust: Hedman Hussler headers (2" primaries, 4" collector) Cooling: Meziere high-volume water pump, factory radiator Transmission: FTI Powerglide, bellhousing, converter, and valve body; Hurst Quarter Stick Chassis Frame: Stock front, 4-link back half, 8.50-certified 12-point roll cage Rear End: Narrowed 12-bolt, Chassis Engineering axles, Richmond ring & pinion Suspension and Steering: Global West control arms, AFCO front shocks and springs, Strange rear shocks, stock steering Wheels: Weld Draglite Tires: Mickey Thompson ET Drag Exterior Body: 1978 Pontiac Trans Am Paint: House Of Color Pearl White and Candy Red Paint By: Second Generation Auto Body Graphics By: Joe Terman Interior Seats: Stock, with Simpson harnesses Other: Stock carpet, gauges, and radio Performance Approx. HP: 850 hp @ 6,800 rpm Best 0-60 mph: 1.70 Sanctioning Body: NHRA Lucas Oil Series Special Thanks To: My father, Louis Castello, and many friends from the NHRA community, including Keith Wilson, “Pontiac” Charlie Kabbaby, Rick McDonough, Corey Kramer, Matt Hartford, Lake Speed Jr., Keith Jones, and Chris Straub 1978 Pontiac Trans Am Joe Castello — Pembroke Pines, FL C O L L E C T O R S E D I T I O N 197 What Is Super Street? The NHRA’s Super Street class challenges racers to get as close to a 10.90-second quarter-mile time (called the “index”) without going faster (or “breaking out”). They must use a stock-appearing car with a minimum weight—depending on engine type—but engine and chassis modifications are nearly unlimited. This is a class that rewards skill and consistency over big-budget builds. JANUARY 2026 S M T W T F S 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 FEBRUARY 2026 S M T W T F S 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 MARCH 2026 S M T W T F S 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 Back in the 1980s, Project Pontiac was a daily driver with custom paint.
