1975 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am

Description

Pontiac was still in the performance business when this 1975 Trans Am was built, complete with a 400 cubic inch V8 and plenty of horsepower, making it one of the fastest cars on the road that year. The market is moving on these cars, and this PHS-documented example still carries its matching-numbers drivetrain.

Repainted a few years ago in its original code 75 Buccaneer Red, this is one sophisticated-looking T/A. Forget all the jokes about flying chickens on the hood, these cars now command respect, both in the marketplace and on the road, and this one certainly looks muscular, especially with the nose from a '72 model Trans Am. Add to that the original flares being subtly molded into the body to give it a very smooth, polished look, something that most folks don't notice but it really makes a big impact. It was apparently a clean, honest car before the repaint, too, and has ended up as an ultra-sharp reminder of what performance was like in the '70s. Gaps are good all around, and Pontiac gave it a great look with a modest chin spoiler, the hood scoop, and a ducktail spoiler out back, all of which remain in excellent shape. The paint is two-stage urethane, so it has a great shine that's virtually indestructible, and the decals are exact reproductions that contrast nicely with the vivid red paint.

Black buckets were the best way to travel in 1975, and the classic color combination ensures that this Poncho will always be in demand by collectors. The seats are still comfortable and supportive and the seat covers themselves are exact reproductions that show only minor wear since the restoration. It's a nice combination of original and reproduction parts that suggest this has always been a nice car and it gives it an authentic vibe inside. The center console houses a heavy-duty B&M shifter as well as a handy storage bin, and the engine-turned dash applique is a Trans Am trademark that survived throughout the '70s. Options include A/C, a tilt steering column, as well as power steering and brakes, and an AM/FM/cassette stereo was added somewhere along the way. The trunk offers a surprising amount of space, as well as a correct mat set augmented by an aftermarket Pontiac mat.

The big story in 1975 was the availability of the 400 cubic inch V8 as the top powerplant, and the YS-coded V8 is the car's original, numbers-matching engine. While a lot of engines were down on horsepower in the mid-70s, Pontiac engineers were better than most at keeping their top engines at the top of the horsepower charts. It wears correct Pontiac Turquoise paint, a Holley 4-barrel under that hood scoop air cleaner, an Edelbrock intake manifold to add some torque, and long-tube headers feeding an all-new Flowmaster dual exhaust system twin tailpipes out back. Chrome valve covers dress this one up and it performs far better than it did back in the smog-choked 1970s. The chassis is covered in black paint and looks solid thanks to a lifetime in the south, and quick-shifting TH350 3-speed automatic makes it a lot of fun to drive. Wheels are cool Keystone mags that were extremely popular when this car was new, and they carry suitably fat BFG radials, 225/60/15s up front and 275/60/15s out back.

Five years ago, we told you that this day was coming, and now it's here. '70s Trans Ams are red hot and climbing the market faster than almost anything else. Don't wait another day, call us now!