» Engine: 5.7-liter LS1 V-8
» Wheels: 17-inch American Racing Torque Thrust 2 wheels, gold
» Performance: Pro 5.0 Short Throw Shifter, Lou’s Short Stick, Jett Hot 1 7/8 coated long tube headers, Magnaflow cat-back exhaust, Y-Pipe, K&N Air Lid, Custom Tune by Bret Shook, BMR strut tower brace
» Exterior: Gold grand sport stripes, clear corners, rear gold letter inserts, yellow fog lights
Krista Sulkowski always wanted to follow in her father’s footsteps. A self-described tomboy, the Rockville resident wanted nothing more than to own a car just like her father.
So when a charitable handout was out of the question, her father negotiated a deal. If Sulkowski could land a full scholarship to college, then her father would buy her a car. Sulkowski, who was a dedicated basketball player, scored big when a Division II school in New Jersey recruited her to play, and not long after, her father met his obligations and bought Sulkowski a 2000 Mustang GT.
During a summer school break, Sulkowski’s father introduced her to drag strip racing, and she was hooked. Adding power to her Mustang, however, only took her so far. In the meantime, she was gradually immersing herself in the other side of the custom car culture, modeling for such large venues as the Specialty Equipment Market Association show, which eventually led to a more full-time gig with Altered Racin and a stint with the Patriot Girls.
After a decision to sell the Mustang, she began to explore the more beefy LS1 engine, courtesy of General Motors. A day before she went to settle on a Camaro SS, Sulkowski came across an online classified ad for a white 2000 Pontiac Trans Am WS6 M6 in an obscure part of Pennsylvania. She put down a deposit and made the three-hour drive to pick up the car.
In 2008, about a month after Sulkowski bought the car, she “permanently borrowed” her boyfriend’s Torque Thrust 2 wheels from his own Camaro SS. She had the wheels painted gold with gold accents added to wake up the white paint job. Gold sport stripes were added, and rear letter inserts went on the car. In 2009, clear side markers also replaced the amber colored stock ones. She also had a Pro 5.0 short shifter and short stick added to make the gear changes quicker and cleaner.
A friend named Bret Shook gave the WS6 a kick when he programmed her onboard electronic control unit to squeeze more power from the engine. Meanwhile, Sulkowski added a Magnaflow exhaust system and Jett Hott Y-pipe. Long tube headers completed the exhaust install for better acceleration at higher rpms.
The greatest challenge has been finding time between modeling gigs and a full-time job to initiate new car projects. Sulkowski has even had a set of cylinder heads and a cam lying around on the floor for the past year, which she eventually hopes to add. Until then, she still sports a respectable ride.
What do you drive? A 2000 Pontiac Trans Am.
Why do you drive it? I think the reason I have committed to this car for the long haul is because of the respect I have for such a simple motor design. I’ve learned that there is nothing like a good old-fashioned pushrod V8. I’ve always been a muscle car girl but never a GM girl before this. It’s not the best-handling car around the corners, but she looks fantastic, is a beast in a straight line, sounds mean, and I love the T-tops.
What makes this car so special? From a car owner’s standpoint, more specifically a GM buff, this car is special for the silliest reason. A while after owning it, and after my boyfriend returned from Iraq, we found out together by reading the door codes that I have an N66 edition WS6. GM produced a limited run of these “salad shooter” wheels around 1999 to 2000. They didn’t make a mold for both sides of the car, so if you look at the stock wheels on one side, the spokes turn in a totally different direction. They are essentially “backwards wheels.” It’s also special in my opinion because Pontiac has been shut down, and while they make a good-looking Trans Am conversion kit for the new Camaro, there will never be another production Trans Am from Pontiac. I consider it a piece of history.
What was your most memorable driving experience? I always think back to the long drives home to New Jersey to see my family when my boyfriend was in Iraq. With my dog, Turbo, in the passenger seat, warm weather and T-tops off, the long straight roads couldn’t get any better. The drives are a close contender with beating my dad for the first time ever at the track last year, Ford versus GM. I don’t think he was too happy about that.
What music are you currently listening to? Paramore. It sounds so good on my new Cobalt SS’ sound system!
What was the first car you owned? A 2000 Mustang GT. Black with dark charcoal interior. I loved that car.
And your first ticket? What was it for? No tickets yet. Don’t jinx me!
