1970 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am

Description

Sometimes classic cars show up here at Streetside Classics that just make everyone stop and stare. This 1970 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am is such a car. The combination of the super-cool Lucerne Blue paint and a powerful, numbers-matching 400 V8 is surely a big part of that, but you can't overlook the quality of the restoration, which makes this high-impact early T/A a very special F-body indeed.

Code 26 Lucerne Blue was a finish that pretty much everyone loved straight away on the T/A, and it's only gained popularity in the last couple decades as we see a resurgence in the model. It gives the brutally muscular Trans Am a sophisticated, adult look that almost belies its sporting intentions and looks downright gorgeous. Neatly refinished several years ago back to its original color, it still shows very nice today, although it's accrued a few minor bumps and bruises along the years. Nothing major, but certainly a driver not a show car, although when this baby is revving up at the red light it will get everyone's attention. The depth and soft shine paint is likely beyond anything they were doing in 1970, yet it retains that early muscle car vibe that looks exactly right. If you really wanted perfection, give it a professional buff-and-wax, and that alone could restore some former glory and kick things up a notch on this high-impact driver. Correct stripes and decals were reinstalled, including the famous 'Fire Chicken' on the urethane front bumper and 'Trans AM' script on the rear spoiler, and the black-and-white center stripes that cover the hood, Shaker scoop, roof, and decklid provide the perfect amount of contrast to the bright blue finish. Few people will argue that the early second-generation Trans Am wasn't an awesome-looking ride, and this is a fine example indeed. The urethane nose is in pretty good shape with only a minor crack or two to speak of, the stainless window surrounds are bright and shiny, and out back you still got a chrome bumper, which matches the flashy wheels and looks fantastic against the bright blue paint.

The sporty black cabin is a perfect contrast to the striking blue exterior – fully restored with freshened vinyl seat covers, matching door panels, a center console, a taut headliner, and plush black carpets on the floors. A black center console houses a stock shifter that manages the automatic transmission below, along with switches for the power windows. The leather-rimmed, sporty 3-spoke steering wheel looks like a brand-new piece and sets the tone inside with that wicked T/A horn button in the center. Ahead of the steering wheel sits Pontiac's famous engine-turned instrument panel that reminds everyone that this isn't just some garden-variety classic car but a top-of-the-line performance machine from the best in the business. The Rally gauges are in excellent condition, including the factory tach, which shows a correct 5750 RPM redline for the 400 this car was born with. Like many of its siblings, this Trans Am offers a stock Delco AM stereo in the dash and an 8-track unit just below it inside the center console, but with those mediums being largely obsolete these days, an upgraded unit was installed inside the glove box. Other options include a tilt steering column, seatbelts fore and aft, and factory A/C – which has been converted to R134a refrigerant but will need serviced before it works again. The originality and solid preservation of this Poncho show everywhere, particularly in the trunk, where you'll likely find the car's original plaid mat, space-saver spare tire, and jack set.

Firebird Trans Ams are relatively rare birds these days, and finding one with its original engine is rarer still. Thankfully, this T/A still houses its original, numbers-matching L74 400 cubic inch V8 Ram Air III engine, wonderfully preserved and detailed. The Ram Air III hood feeds a trick, Shaker-style air cleaner and 4-barrel carburetor that sit atop a Pontiac Turquoise engine block, which might be the coolest set-up from the muscle car era, and bright chrome valve covers at the flanks make it pop. It shows minimal signs of use, no burned engine paint, no crusty exhaust manifolds, and all the correct finishes are still bright and clean. Born initially with a 4-speed gearbox, at some point in its life, it was swapped to a TH400 3-speed automatic transmission that matches the 400 perfectly, shifting smoothly up-and-down the throttle while spinning a heavy-duty 12-bolt rear end. A throaty dual exhaust system is a great dance partner for the rumbling V8, and a big radiator up front keeps the temperatures in check. Red oxide primer on the floorplans show off just how solid this beauty is, and the subframe components and axles were painted black in contrast. Power steering, power front disc brakes, and big sway bars fore and aft drastically improve this T/A's road manners. It currently rides on a set of flashy 18-inch Foose chrome wheels wrapped in staggered 245/40/18 front and 275/40/18 rear Nitto radials (original Rallys also included).

Documented with a reproduction window sticker, PHS documentation, an original owner's manual, and build receipts, it's obvious this muscle car embraces its performance past. Well-built, neatly preserved, and ready for the road today, this great-looking Firebird T/A needs nothing more than a new home. Call today!