1980 Macho Turbo T/As

1980 was the last year of the second generation DKM cars. Pontiac was forced to drop all the 6.6 litre engines, and liked the idea of the turbocharged induction set up so much, that they started doing it from factory! DKM now solely produced Macho T/As with the LU8 301 4.9L Turbo/TH350 3-speed automatic driveline, and in very few numbers, as they only produced 6 of them this year. As the 301T was a relatively new driveline, it was difficult for DKM to maximise power out of them and found them comparable to “hand grenades” with too much modification. Barry currently owns 2 of the 6 1980 Macho Turbo T/As, with the 3rd currently known one being owned by Aaron Moore in Cali. That’s right, only 6 1980 Macho Turbo T/As were made. There was some confusion and other numbers thrown about, with one of the cars even having a #7 on them. However, it was verified that only 6 were made, with that particular 1980 DKM car being repainted, and the number changed. 1980 #1, #2 and #3 are still currently M.I.A, and Barry has a big hole in his garage waiting for them!

1980 Macho T/A #4

Owner: Barry Johnson

Much like 1978 #69, we have a Turbo blue, gold and tan combo that takes one of the top spots for the best color combinations a Macho can come in. 1980 Macho Turbo #4 has been repainted once in the factory Tahoe Blue / Solar Gold combination, and features the original deluxe Camel Tan Hobnail interior. The original LU8 301 Turbo 4.9L belts out 300hp getting this TTA a quarter mile of 14.89. Pretty good for a 301T with basically stock components!

1980 Macho T/A #5

Owner: Aaron Moore

So, 1980 Macho T/A #5 isn’t actually #7, it’s actually number #5. How it ended up repainted as #7 and with a console plaque identifying it as #7, I have no idea. Aaron Moore was the President of Pontiacs of Bakersfield club, and had thankfully rescued this Macho from a junkyard, where it was found with a flat tyre, and very sun damaged paint and interior. Sounds like my 1978 W50 that I found in a junkyard in Bakersfield, they must not have liked Firebirds much over there! This Macho Turbo should hopefully be repainted and corrected soon.

1980 Macho T/A #6

Owner: Yep, you guessed it, it’s Barry!

Again, 1980 Macho Turbo #6 isn’t #5, even though it was painted #5, when the one painted #7 was actually #5, so it’s actually #6, ya dig? Me neither. This one was owned by Ken and Kath of 1978 #171 fame, and was originally a Solar Gold with deluxe Camel Tan Hobnail interior car, but again, with the wrong decals and identification number. Check out the Hurst Lighting Rods though! Barry decided to fix the issue of 1980 #6 having the wrong decals by repainting it! Although, he did a bit more than correct the wrong numbered decals. Barry was a bit disappointed that there wasn’t any 1981 DKM cars as they missed out on the redesigned hood decal and Y85 AR9 Recaro interior. So, he decided to have 1980 #6 painted in black and red with the Pace Car Recaro interior to match.