DKM History

The history of the Macho Trans Am dates back to 1977 when two brothers, Dennis and Kyle Mecham, sons of a Phoenix area Pontiac dealer decided to begin modifying Firebirds to restore some of the missing performance brought about by the addition of more and more emissions equipment on factory cars. The brothers began modifying the already popular scraming chicken cars, 26 were produced in 1977 as they began to ramp up their performance shop. In 1978 203 Macho TAs would come out of the DKM shop. A W72/L78 engine was used as a baseline, the carb and ignition were modified and a set of Hooker headers and twin catalytic converters were added for a net 50bhp gain. An optional turbo-charger could also be added for a 7psi boost. Interestingly, the TAs were all sold as used cars. This was required because Federal law prohibited any modifications to the emissions system on a new car. Their dealership, Mecham Pontiac, sold the new cars to Mecham Performance. The modifications were performed and the cars were then sold to the public. They had virtually no miles on them and had no tags but were sold as a used car because the had already been titled by Mecham Performance. As the word spread that DKM was turning out the 1970's supercar, orders began rolling from dealers around the country including Utah and Wyoming where a number still reside today.

Production continued in 1979 where both the 400 and 403 versions of the Trans Am received the modifications required for a Macho Trans Am. DKM performed several other modifications including modifying the hood scoop to make it functional. Suspensions were also modified by adding Koni shocks, front springs retempered for rake and re-calibrated geometry. Visual appearance was also changed. Macho options included Recaro or Scheel seats, Fosgate stereo, different wheels and tires, fiberglass hood, oil accumulator,  and the new paint scheme that varied by color. Every Macho TA also received a limited production number.

1979 also saw the release of the Tallon TA Super Tourer, 3 were produced with one being sent to Saud Arabia. This Firebird could be ordered with a turbo-charged 400 or a normally aspirated 350 Chevy. The Tallon received fiberglass fenders, hood, rear quarters and bolt-on air dam. American Specialty wheels with 50 series tires were installed. Hooker headers, a 5-speed Doug Nash tranny, Koni shocks and the WS6 package were also added. At significant additional cost ($7600) a Traco-built Chevy 350 rated at 460bhp could be installed. It was a beast.

The "Macho Z" Camaro is Born…..

To compete with the Macho TAs that were terrorizing the streets, DKM partnered with Chapman Chevrolet to produce the Macho Z, the Chevy half of the F-body dynamic duo from DKM.  In preparation for the 1979 model year, a single 1978 Z-28 Camaro Prototype was converted to a "Macho Z". This car was showcased & featured in the 1978 September issue of Hot Rod Magazine and is also featured in this site. You can learn more about it's unique history here: Macho Z28 Prototype.

DKM also produced a limited series of Corvettes for the 1979 model year. The L82-S was a 14 Sec tourer that delivered peformance over the stock version. When Pontiac discontinues the 400 in liue of the 301 it put the brakes on the supercars comming out of the DKM shop. However, DKMs efforts continued through the '80s with the MR MSE TAs (Mecham Racing Motor Sports Edition) which were produced from 1982 to 1986 and limited Magnum edition Iroc Camaros. In 1997 Dennis was approached by a Macho fan and owner about producing a new Mecham TA. After some initial discussions the decision was made to produce a few cars and that effort continued throughout the 2002 model year. A Mecham T/A and a Mecham Formula were both offered.

To learn more about DKM and Mecham Performance you can visit their site at:  www.mechamperformance.com