Goodguys Announces its 2026 Surventis Most Bitchin’ Car of the Year

Congratulations to Angie Johnson and her 1980 Trans Am for being named the Goodguys 2026 Surventis Most Bitchin’ Car of the Year!

FORT WORTH, TX, UNITED STATES, October 8, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ -- Goodguys Rod & Custom Association, the world’s largest hot rodding association and producer of “America’s Favorite Car Show” is stoked to announce Angie Johnson and her dream car, a 1980 Trans Am, as the winner of the coveted 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 October 3rd.

Angie 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 into an elite brand in the rodding world, Angie decided it was finally time to build the Trans Am she’d wanted since childhood.

The Pontiac now rides on 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.

There was never any plan for major modifications on the Trans Am body. Instead, 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 stunning pearl white paint which really helps the satin gray Trans Am hood bird pop. 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,” Angie says. “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!”

To round out their 2026 “Top 12 of the Year” presented by Surventis program, Goodguys will be announcing the final six winning vehicles on Friday, October 9th. These final award winners will include the 2026 Snap-On Muscle Car of the Year, Vintage Air Custom Rod of the Year, LMC Truck of the Year (Early), Dakota Digital Truck of the Year (Late), Scott’s Hotrods N’ Customs Custom of the Year, and Roadster Shop 4x4 of the Year. See them all on Fuel Curve.

Congratulations to Angie Johnson and the craftsman at Johnson’s Hot Rod Shop for being named the Goodguys 2026 Surventis Most Bitchin’ Car of the Year!

Steven Bunker
Goodguys Rod & Custom Association