Second-generation Pontiac Firebirds enjoyed a long production run from 1970-81. And, thanks to the publicity generated by the Smokey and the Bandit movies, the Trans Am would be a big seller toward the end of the cycle. Located out in a field near Kansas City, Missouri is a pair of 1981 Trans Ams that are available together or separately here on craigslist. Both are project cars, and one still has its drivetrain. They’re offered as a package deal for $4,000, but if sold separately, the total adds up to $5,000. Another interesting tip brought to us by Barn Finder Pat L.!

A new Firebird was coming for 1982 as GM had squeezed as much out of the platform as possible by then. At 70,899 copies in 1981, production was off by a third from 1980 and by two-thirds at the peak of Smokey Trans Am Mania of 1978. Still, the performance-minded version of the Firebird would command nearly half of sales at 33,493 units. So enough folks out there still wanted to be Burt Reynolds. Over the years, the seller has collected at least two Trans Ams from the same model year, along with a few other automobiles that are parked nearby. Both are non-running projects at this stage, with one needing more work than the other or maybe they can be combined to revive one car.

1981 Firebird Trans Am (Turbo with drivetrain)

This Pontiac has its numbers-matching, turbo-charged (LU8) 301 cubic inch V8 engine, which would be the last year that purely divisional engines would find their way into GM cars. After that, the powerplants would be shared across Pontiac, Chevy, Buick, and Oldsmobile. It was rated at 200 hp and is paired with an automatic transmission. The title is missing for this car, but the seller says if pressed he can get a title for it (time delay?). This Firebird has 4-wheel disc brakes and special “turbo” wheels.

The body, paint, and interior are rough on this car, so a restoration is going to be expensive and time-consuming. But perhaps the expense can be deferred because a drivetrain won’t have to be sourced, just rebuilt. This one still has its steering wheel, making it easier to load than the other car. If purchased separately, the asking price for this one is $3,000.

1981 Firebird Trans Am (“Shaker” hood/roller)

At one time, this Trans Am had either the non-turbo (L37) 301 V8 built by Pontiac or a 305 provided by Chevrolet. It, too, should have had an automatic transmission. These cars were far from the street racers than the Trans Am had become known for a decade earlier (thank you, EPA, the insurance industry, and Big Oil). We’re told that besides the missing drivetrain, almost everything else on this car should be present, but it’s hard to tell from the photos.

As the pics will attest, this Pontiac also has its fair share of body, paint, and interior issues. It was once yellow in color, but a couple of ill-fitting burgundy body panels are present now. This Trans Am does come with a title and both cars will be treated to an assortment of spare parts. You can take this one home separately for $2,000, so the real break by buying the pair is a $1,000 discount on the Turbo. Identifying 1981 Firebirds can be difficult as Pontiac made few appearance changes on the cars for 1979-81. For Trans Ams, the difference is tied to the applied graphics.