1979 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am

Description

In 1979, the Trans Am was still an apex predator with nothing else on the road able to match its combination of brute horsepower and striking styling. These are the hot collector cars of the near future as enthusiasts who grew up behind the wheel rediscover their youth, and this gorgeous Atlantis Blue example is a relatively unusual piece that's just a blast to drive.

Looking for a clean, well-maintained survivor, this is one stylish 'Bird. Has it been painted? Maybe, but there are obvious signs that this car has been loved from day one and no evidence that it was ever in need of cosmetic help beyond a repaint of the nose at some point. The steel bodywork is straight, the doors fit like they did on the showroom floor, and even ground effects and chin spoiler are in good order. Code 24 Atlantis Blue was a relatively rare color in 1979 and the contrasting blue graphics pop off the bright surface without looking as dated as some of the other combinations. It's not perfect, but it's extremely nice with an honest look that has nothing to hide, which I think I prefer to outright perfection. All the other Trans Am styling cues look great 30 years later, including the ducktail spoiler, chin spoiler, and blacked-out taillights that stretch across the back of the car. Even the glass still shows a proper light Soft-Ray tint of factory original equipment.

For a car famous for wretched excess, the code 24B blue cloth interior is the model of restraint and good taste. The patterned cloth seat covers look a bit like the houndstooth upholstery of the late-60s, wrapped around supportive buckets that hug you in place. Blue door panels provide some nice contrast, wrapping around into a matching dash with an engine-turned fascia. Everything appears to be original except for the carpets, which were replaced not too long ago with correct reproduction stuff. All the gauges are crisp and well-marked, and this sucker's loaded with a bunch of options, including A/C and a tilt column, so you get a bit of luxury with your performance. There's a Sony AM/FM/cassette stereo radio in the dash, which feeds a set of speakers neatly mounted on either side of the console plus a pair on the rear package shelf to fill the car with sound. The trunk is also quite original and features factory mats and what appears to be an unused space-=saver spare with inflator kit and jack. Nice!

You could still get your choice of engines in 1979, but the top performer when linked with an automatic transmission was a 403 cubic inch V8. Effortless in everything it does, it makes great muscle car sounds and still carries enough horsepower to be a genuine thrill on the street. It's mostly stock save for routine maintenance items, and it would be hard to tell anyway since everything is pretty well buried under the air cleaner and hood scoop. A replacement exhaust system sounds suitably muscular and still uses a catalytic converter, so it should be good to go in all 50 states. With the quick-shifting TH350 3-speed automatic gearbox, acceleration is only a gentle squeeze of the accelerator away and the suspension is a good combination of sporting and comfortable. The underside shows off a lifetime in a warm climate and the color-matched Rally II wheels are now fitted with 225/70/15 BFG radials all around.

Very nicely preserved, this Trans Am is a sure-fire future collectable that remains a ton of fun today. Don't wait, call today!