1979 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am

Description

In the late 1970s, Pontiac was one of the few domestic automakers who remembered how to make horsepower. This highly optioned 1979 Trans Am, for example, is powered by a 403 cubic inch V8 that makes a respectable 220 horsepower. Wearing black paint, it's the one to own, looking famously sinister and ready to rock.

The color is actually called Starlight Black, and it is both gorgeous and popular for 1979 Trans Ams. This handsome example is in great condition throughout, showing careful ownership and excellent care all its life. However, unlike many of its siblings, this one has pretty good color matching throughout, proving that it's been well maintained and kept out of the sun, although it has probably been repainted at some point. Like all black cars, there are some micro-scratches, but they'll disappear with a few coats of wax, and the overall look is pretty nasty. These cars were also heavy on the decals and pinstripes, of course, and they remain in excellent condition with very little fading and excellent adhesion. The blacked-out grilles and color-matched headlight buckets are in excellent condition with no UV damage, and the cool Trans Am taillights are still bright and clear.

The only way Trans Ams came in 1979 was loaded, and that included a luxuriously appointed interior. The black fabric seats in this car remain in good condition with wear appropriate to a car with half as many years on it; they're really nice. There are a few creases here and there on the driver's seat, but the passenger's seat is amazingly well preserved and the back seat looks like new. The dash features a cool engine-turned panel that houses a full array of functional gauges as well as an AM/FM radio that powers speakers in the usual locations. The dash pad, console, door panels and even the headliner are all in very good shape, with no cracking or fading. This car comes equipped with factory A/C which still blows cold thanks to good old R12 refrigerant inside, and even 30 years later, it's a pretty comfortable place to do some driving. The trunk is also well-trimmed, offering correct black liner material and a space-saver spare that's never been used.

The Oldsmobile-built 403 cubic inch V8 makes great muscle car sounds and still moves the car with genuine authority. It's pretty tidy under the hood and there are no major issues, and if you're so inclined, a weekend of detailing would pay big dividends. If you're interested in driving, on the other hand, you'll be happy to know that it starts quickly and drives beautifully. The snorkel feeding the air cleaner (which only looks like a hood scoop, but is non-functional) is in excellent condition, and many of the original components are still intact. Routine maintenance items have obviously been conscientiously replaced during the last 34 years, but overall this is a nicely preserved engine bay. The chassis is more of the same, with a TH350 3-speed automatic transmission and a fresh exhaust system that sounds great. The wheels are period "snowflake" alloys that look awesome wearing fat Uniroyal radials that really fill the fenders.

If you're a smart buyer, you've undoubtedly already noticed that these cars are red hot right now, and this one is ready to enjoy immediately. Forget what you remember about the '70s and enjoy the reality: these are awesome cars that are simply a blast to drive. Call now!