General Motors’ turbocharged, 3.8-liter “LC2” V6 engine mostly found use in Buick vehicles, including the iconic Regal Grand National. However, many folks don’t realize that Pontiac also used the engine for the 20th Anniversary Edition of the Firebird Trans Am, creating 1,550 examples of the sports car to correspond with that year’s Indianapolis 500 race, where it was the pace car. This 1989 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am 20th Anniversary Edition that’s available here on eBay is a well-preserved specimen, and it also features a handful of tasteful aftermarket upgrades.
This turbocharged Pontiac is available in Bohemia, New York with a clean title. There aren’t a ton of details on the vehicle’s history, but the seller notes that it was always garage kept and well taken care of. It’s also worth noting that this is a base model featuring a hardtop body style and a cloth interior, making it one of only 15 cars produced in this combination.
Each 20th Anniversary Trans Am featured white exterior paint, and the exterior on this one is eye-catching. Though there are a few minor chips on the body, there aren’t any major cosmetic issues, and the undercarriage is also very clean.
As mentioned earlier, most of these special Trans Am models utilize a leather interior, whereas this one uses cloth upholstery. The cabin is virtually spotless, down to the factory carpet mats.
The highlight of the 20th Anniversary Trans Am is undoubtedly the turbocharged 3.8-liter V6 engine. This drivetrain only has 54,425 miles, and it features enhancements such as a 200-4R automatic transmission modified by Art Carr Performance Transmissions, TE62 turbo, a 3” Jim Dunn downipe, an intercooler with improved flow, upgraded injectors, and a custom exhaust system. Though the modifications may scare some folks away, this Trans Am recently underwent a variety of maintenance, including a transmission and differential service, new brakes, and plenty more.
At the time of publication, bidding for this Trans Am is at $16,100 with the reserve not met, and there’s also a Buy it Now price of $25,995. What do you think of this rare special edition Trans Am?
These are on my short list of most wanted glory days mobiles.
(Currently have a Typhoon.)
Would love these way more with s Manual (duh) and I’m not sure I could take myself seriously driving it. Not sure fabric seats and solid roof are positives. Still super sweet
A solid roof is just that, solid. The later GN’s (86/87) were known for cracking the metal in the driver’s door jamb area, and that happened to cars lightly modified with a solid roof. The T-Top cars were notorious for it. With the few mods on this car, it would be wise to NOT have T-Tops! My GN had extra bracing at the front of the frame, as well as bracing behind the seat. With a aftermarket downpipe, “hot-wired” Walbro fuel pump, larger injectors, an old TE-44 turbo i from the day, modified inter cooler neck, water (methanol) injection, no cat and a custom chip, it ran 11:90’s on drag radials. The valve covers were never off the car, internal engine components all original. I think I need another…
Makes sense. I recall the t-tops making noise in our 4-cyl 82 Camaro going over the curb in/out of our steep driveway. Just can’t shake the desire to open up the roof on sunny fall days…yup I’m an 80s boy at heart! Your GN sounds strong! I did similar mods to the Ty and it made a big difference but it’s never been to the track.
Interesting read about this amazing machine.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pontiac_Firebird_(third_generation)#1989
Like the solid roof but not the cloth seats. Love these cars overall though and you could drive it without counting every mile. Still too high for my budget.
the cloth seats make it even better
solid roof, cloth seats – lighter and stiffer unit
win, win
Very nice car. I have friends who bought one new, with only 4,900 miles on it. I think they would sell it, and I will likely end up listing it for them some day. Picture a car that has been in a heated shop all it’s life, stellar condition, with all the options. They also have all the decals, memorabilia, and extra parts labeled just for the car like plugs wires, fuel filters, etc.
I just want! Car is perfection.
One of the few T/A Turbos built for work. Cloth to hold your rump in place, solid roof to withstand additional power. This is the one to get.
Wanted to trade my 87 GN in for one of these but at the time i had too much into it and turning 11’s. But these are way cool
I would choose this all day over the yellow “collectors edition” T/A a few posts back. One of the few 80s cars that I would add to my personal dream garage.
Reserve not met at $20,200.
I see they had the good sense to add an Alkycontrol meth system and a ScanMaster to the mods.
I worked at a Pontiac dealer when these came out. I believe every domestic dealership received one for their inventory, and to my recollection they all marked them up by several thousand $$ over MSRP. None of us dealership employees were allowed to test drive it for the new car prep/PDI. When the guy who purchased the car came in for his first service, I was able to test drive it finally, for a rattle in the t-tops. That was the quickest F-car I had ever driven!
The car isn’t perfect but seems to be a great value, being it’s one of 39 hardtops ever built! Some fender adjustment and minor body work, and it should be great. I spent a ton of money to make my TTA Hardtop perfect, and people act like I’ve given the car the plague. I spent $40+k on the total resto, have a perfect car that no one has interest in at a $30k selling price!
So whoever buys this car…again great price…don’t restore it….just drive the piss out of it, then sell it for $25k in worse condition in a few years…don’t make my OCD mistake