19k Original Miles: 1984 Pontiac Trans Am

It is easy to underestimate the importance of Pontiac’s Third Generation Trans Am, but it represents a significant turning point in American performance car design. With the horsepower race seeming a thing of the past, manufacturers turned to other solutions to provide buyers with the performance they craved. This 1984 Trans Am is a perfect example of that thinking, and it presents superbly. It is a one-owner survivor with 19,000 miles on its odometer and needs a new home. It is listed here on eBay in New Baltimore, Michigan. Bidding has raced to $11,600 in a No Reserve auction.

One factor manufacturers considered as the 1970s drew to a close was that they needed to find innovative ways to extract improved performance from their vehicles to satisfy enthusiasts. One area that had remained largely overlooked was aerodynamic efficiency, and the 1984 Trans Am demonstrates the industry’s new philosophy. Compared to its predecessors, the Third Generation was lower and featured a heavily raked windshield to help the car cut through the air more efficiently. It seemed radical when first released, but this new approach attracted ready acceptance among potential buyers. Our feature car rolled off the Van Nuys, California, production line in 1984, and it presents beautifully. I have been unable to confirm the paint shade because it varies according to the light. I believe it to be either Light or Dark Briar Brown. Both colors appeared on the color palette exclusively in 1983 and 1984 before being discontinued by the company. The paint shines richly, and like the graphics, it shows no evidence of significant flaws or defects. The seller admits there are minor marks, but these aren’t visible in the supplied photos. The panels are laser straight, and I can’t spot any rust. The plastic aerodynamic additions are undamaged, although the distinctive alloy wheels have some peeling. With flawless glass and a leak-free T-Top, this Trans Am makes a positive first impression.

There’s no shying away from the fact that cars from this era generally didn’t offer earth-shattering power outputs, and this Trans Am is no exception. Its engine bay houses a 305ci V8 producing a modest 150hp. That power finds its way to the rear wheels via a four-speed automatic transmission, allowing the car to cover the ¼ mile in 16.8 before eventually hitting 137mph. Those figures don’t set pulses racing today, but it is worth taking a moment to place them into context. An auto-equipped 1981 Trans Am with a 305 under the hood would take 18 seconds to cover the same distance and run out of breath at 116mph. Part of the performance improvement for the newer car stemmed from a better transmission, but the more efficient body accounted for most of the gain. We also need to consider vehicle weights in the equation, with the 1984 Trans Am tipping the scales an incredible 200lbs lighter than its predecessor. The overall approach signaled a change in design philosophy, and it is a trend that remains relevant today. Our feature car has a claimed 19,000 genuine miles on the clock, but the seller doesn’t mention verifying evidence. However, it runs and drives perfectly and is a turnkey classic awaiting a new owner.

If this Trans Am’s exterior makes a positive impression, the interior could be even better. I shudder when an owner describes something as a time capsule, but that term seems appropriate here. There is no evidence of wear, stains, or abuse, and no crumbling plastic. More importantly, there are no aftermarket additions that compromise its originality. The seller admits the air conditioning might need a recharge, but there are no other known faults. For a car produced in 1984, it comes nicely equipped. As well as A/C, the new owner receives power windows, power locks, cruise control, the usual cluster of gauges, a leather-wrapped tilt wheel, and an AM/FM radio and cassette player.

While there are modern family sedans that offer better performance than this 1984 Trans Am, it possesses an indefinable presence that allows it to stand out from the crowd. Its overall presentation is difficult to fault, and the No Reserve auction will tempt many. It has already attracted thirty-seven bids, and I won’t be surprised if the ongoing action pushes the price towards $18,000. That would place it at the top end of what you might expect to pay for a Trans Am of this vintage and specifications, but it seems that many consider its condition and odometer reading justifies taking the plunge to join the bidding war. Are you tempted to become part of the action?