With three days remaining, this 1981 Pontiac Trans Am Daytona Pace Car is for sale here on eBay. With bidding exceeding $17,000, the reserve has not been met. Pontiac built 2,000 of these Pace car replicas and they were fully loaded. This one has only 58,000 miles and is located in East Galesburg, Illinois. The301 turbocharged engine delivered 200 horsepower and a strong 340 ft lbs of torque from the factory. 1981 was the first year for the computer controlled Quadrajet carburetor.
I have owned three of these beautiful Pace Cars and it reminds me of 1981 when my parents went on a 2 week vacation and left their 5 kids with a couple in their 30’s who were finishing medical school. One day I came home from high school and a brand new 1981 Daytona Pace Car was sitting in our driveway that they just purchased. My twin brother and I had a 1978 W72 Trans Am which would embarrass this car in a drag race but there was something about this Pace Car that just made it appealing to me. It was probably that this car was the only 2nd generation Firebird to come with Recaro seats from the factory.
At first glance, I was sure this car has been repainted and it has. The seller is the third owner and the car has been well maintained throughout its existence. There are no cracks in the dash and no sun damage to the bright red interior. When you drive at night, the dash gauges glow in red. Since it is fully equipped, the car has the famous WS6 handling package as well at special paint and t-tops.
My current Daytona Pace Car was purchased from TTA Performance who provides all types of replacement and performance upgrade parts. I chose upgrades including the ram air kit, water injection, manual boost controller (14 psi), a 2.5″ downpipe and performance exhaust. It really makes a difference and will keep up with some of my other TAs. I would think this car would sell in the mid to high 20’s because of its condition. What do you think?
I think you should start posting some pictures of your previous and current collection of F-bodies.
Curt, here is a shot of my current cars. You can see I favor 2nd gen F bodies
What a great story! Thanks for sharing this!
And do you favor late vs early gen 2’s Bruce?
MD, that is a toss up. I really like 1971-1973 TAs and Formulas. I am restoring a Brewster Green 4 speed 73 TA right now. However, I really like driving 79-81 cars. Here is my 1979 W72 Formula but I love driving the turbo 81 Pace Car. It sat on a dealer showroom until 2009.
Whew, that’s a beautiful Formula! I’ve been an A-body guy forever, but I’m ready to dip my toes in the water on an F. Love the looks of the 71-74 (but not the prices). Still haven’t warmed up to the 77-78. Desire a pontiac motor w/auto trans. I think the Formula is the way to go, no longer a big fan of the skirts. Then I cringe everytime someone say “it rattles, of course” eeks, A-body’s don’t rattle (usually). And it seems like dark cabins can be claustrophobic w/out a t-top, (more rattles?). I does sound like ’79 up drives better???
Thx :)
Well at least it’s not a 403 or a 305, it’s still a Pontiac motor, as wimpy as a Pontiac could be but a purebred, nice looking all show no go vehicle, following Chevys leas w the Z28 which was a sticker show for quite awhile by 81, it they still had more stickers on the anemic Monte Carlo SS, but at least it held its own horrible 305 motor, not like Pontiac that used that junk and Buick’s junk, that’s why America is loaded with Toyota’s
He might have forgot that he has this. Lol!
He’s got a 64 or 65 Vette convertible too, not a fan of his politics, but he’s a car guy, can’t be all bad
I Like those 81 TTA Daytona Recaro Pace cars – be cool to send a nice one to TTA Performance for a 301 Turbo upgrade – Ram Air Cold Air Intake with screen etc.
The Onion was a spoof newspaper. The article was not real. The vintage Corvette he owns is real. Sharp car! He would get my vote just on that alone, if that mattered for the job he is aiming for. But since it really doesn’t, I will vote for or against him for more important reasons.
I used to know a guy that had one of these, but in very rough condition. He had it when he passed away a couple years ago. I hope his heirs fixed it up & were able to get some decent change out of it.
Thanks for sharing this Bruce. I am the owner of this car and also know Joe at TTA Performance. I think you may have beat me to the one I was eyeing at TTA a while back. It was sold before I was able to pull the trigger. You are spot on with your assessment on price on this one. The car ended up not hitting reserve and I may take it to bringatrailer next after trying a few dedicated Pontiac / TA sites.