Clear up something in the original trans-am cars?

I had a ton (8 or 10) of AARs and TAs back in late 80s early 90s. I studied them a lot but I have forgot most of what I knew!
One article I remember said, the TA was mostly not too competative due to being too heavy..it was built by committee and each guy that built his portion, tried to make it super strong and thus too heavy!!!