Every now and then, the internet coughs up a car that stops you mid-scroll. We just spotted this 1970 Pontiac Trans Am Ram Air III here on eBay, that was restored in 2015. In the world of second-gen Firebirds, 1970 is iconic because it is the first year of the second generation Trans Am and the last year for the Pontiac high compression engines. This car is bid to just over $60,000 right now with one day left in the auction. It has a Buy It Now Price of $94,944. Located in Mesa, Arizona at a dealer, it is one of only 1,769 Trans Ams made with a 4 speed in 1970. These cars were called “1970½” Trans Ams specifically because the car was delayed until February 26, 1970, due to engineering and tooling complexities
The heart of this beast is the Ram Air III (L74) 400 V8. While the Ram Air IV gets the glory for its high-rpm cam, the Ram Air III was the street fighter, delivering 335 horsepower and a tire-shredding 430 lb-ft of torque. 1970 also marked the debut of the shaker hood scoop, but unlike later years where the scoop was sealed shut, this one functions. Stomp the gas, and a solenoid-actuated flap opens to feed the Quadrajet cool, dense air. A look at the cylinder heads should reveal the coveted #12 casting numbers, verifying its pedigree.
This car wears the classic Polar White (Code 10) with the single broad Lucerne Blue stripe, a livery designed to mimic the SCCA Trans-Am racers of the day. Because this is a 1970, it lacks the massive “screaming chicken” hood decal that would define the mid to late 70s; instead, it relies on a small “bird” on the Endura nose and modest decals on the spoilers. The stance is aggressive, aided by the functional wheel spats and the front air dam which were serious aerodynamic components, not just tack-on flair. The fitment of that heavy urethane nose—often a trouble spot on 2nd Gens—looks factory perfect.
There are no pics of the interior but it appears to be black. Because of the February release, the 1970 production run was incredibly brief. Pontiac only built 3,196 Trans Ams that year. To put that in perspective, they built over 117,000 Trans Ams in 1979. This car is one of either 1,769 four-speeds or 1,339 automatics. This is a blue-chip investment grade car that represents the absolute peak of Pontiac performance before compression ratios dropped in 1971.
My favorite years 70 or 70 1/2 to 73 for the T/As!!
This one is VERY NICE!!!
Yeah, these are beautiful rides. And a 4-gear as well!
I have a faint memory of seeing one of these, in a movie or TV show, tearing through a multi-level parking lot, but for the life of me I cannot dredge up the name. I’ve rifled through the IMCDB website, and it might have been “Thunderbolt and Lightfoot”, but my recollection is that the guy driving the white T/A was a black dude..
$95k is a whole different world than mine.
Came here to say that every time I see one of these, I think about the one in “Thunderbolt & Lightfoot” that Jeff Bridges picked up Clint Eastwood and then proceeded to drive it to its’ destruction!! Great movie BTW! :-)
https://youtu.be/Gjk-fB8fM0A?si=uhuPb6vo0fBn3Juu
I have never seen a ’69-’72 t/a in a movie or tv show. Nor a ’69-70 shelby mustang, AMC Rebel “The Machine”, etc.
Beautiful car, but I’m partial to Pontiac’s. I have this exact car, but a 1971 455HO. These cars have a look that never goes out of style. I was searching for a 1973 455SD 4-spd car for 7 years, but never found the right one. Now, an original super duty 4-spd car, is north of $100k
Hi cool. As teen agers in 80s me and my brother s bought a solid 6 month 70 Shaker hood same style. Blown missing engine complete otherwise. 150mph speedo black interior white paint 400 automatic. 200. Canadian. Made it into stock car. Could have easily been restored. I don’t remember vent style on fenders. Vin was 6month 70. Rad shell forsure said 455. Any research shows no 455 till 71. Is it possible they made some 455 70s just curious. I wish we still had it
Very nice Pontiac here that is clean. A lot of money here!
What’s not to like 🏁👍
The price
Does the car even have an interior ??
$95,000 dollar car not one picture of interior.
Go down to the bottom and see several hundred photos of this fine ride.
If you scroll down to the “full size pictures” there are plenty of pictures, including the immaculate interior.
I remember the tv commercial where the guy whacks the Endura front end with a crowbar. Good times!
Nice car even though it has the wrong year right front fender, the wrong exhaust tips and the trim rings were not offered in 1970.
Could you point out the differences in the right vs. left fender??
nice T/A. the B I N price is up there with a 455 car, and this only has a 400. you pay that much for something it is doubtful it will get driven enough to fully enjoy
400 was the only engine available in ‘70
The Ram Air IV 455 was a 70 GTO engine only?? I know they made it in the 70 GTO from the movie “Two Lane Blacktop” but I wonder why they wouldn’t have used it in the TA?
Write up could be more complete. There are plenty of pictures available and it’s a 4 Speed.
Being I am a Pontiac dude I think this is near the top of perfection. I did see a spot of rust on the exhaust pipes and the shocks are an ugly color.
Even with those bad items the only thing stopping me from buying this is the lack of a few coins. If anybody could loan me 94K I can come up with the rest.
I drove one of these many years ago for a friend who had to see if it would do the speedometer. It almost did and I passed a Renault while doing so and darn near spun it right off the road.
Just plain beautiful.
This is the year to have. Despite what all the SD droolers say.
In high school, this is exactly what I wanted. Ended up with a 4spd, 6bbl GTX. Even money, I’d say… But I still want a ’70 T/A
Sweet……
Wrong steering wheel material, shift knob, exh pipes, & muffler.
These cars handled like it was on rails!!!!!! One of the best designed cars ever and every spoiler and vent was there for a purpose and not looks. Herb Adams nailed it with this car.