Based on the Firebird, the Pontiac Trans Am was one of the most successful of the “pony cars.” It arrived on the scene in 1969 and stayed around until 2002. To commemorate the auto’s 30^th anniversary, a special edition was issued in 1999 for which just 1,600 copies were built. The seller’s car is one of them and the seller adds that it helped pace the field in the Daytona 500 that year (only 30 were chosen for that honor). With just 17,500 miles and in North Scottsdale, Arizona, this time capsule is available here on craigslist for $35,900. Another winning tip from Tony Primo!

Unlike the original Trans Am of 1969, the later editions of the machine were clearly developed in a wind tunnel, much slipperier than those that came before it. They came equipped with a 5.7-liter LS1 V8 that – with Ram Air – was rated at 320 hp and 335 ft.-lbs. of torque using a 4-speed automatic transmission or 6-speed manual. These were hot cars, clipping the ¼-mile at well under 15 seconds and 100+ mph. The 30^th anniversary Trans Am went for nearly $33,000 when new, a hefty price tag in the 20^th Century.

It appears that each of the 30^th anniversary cars was numbered with a plaque to prove it and 1,570 of them were not selected to make the trip to Daytona for the 1999 running of the 500. The 30 that were chosen wore special graphics and had yellow lights affixed to the roof that would light up with caution. The seller’s car has a ton of documentation, and we assume something in that pile backs up its Daytona heritage.

We’re told this car is bone stock except for a new set of tires. It has no doubt been babied given its low mileage and the seller says there are no scratches or dings to be found. If this Poncho is the real deal, it may be one of the few survivors from the race that netted Jeff Gordon his second of three Daytona 500 victories.