Given the resources and materials Pontiac had to work with for the early eighties, the Turbo Trans Am was actually a commendable effort in its time period. You’ve got to remember the oil crisis of the late seventies and the rising costs of energy near the end of that decade were taboo for the muscle car market, combined with increasing emissions requirements for automakers on top of all that. Thankfully, the engineering team at Pontiac chose for the Trans Am to soldier on and did what they could in the area of performance. The second generation of the Firebird was also nearing its end, with only 1980-81 remaining before a new Firebird was introduced in 1982, and fewer than 10,000 examples of the Turbo T/A were produced near the end of the run for ’80 and ’81, so it’s also kind of a rare specimen for its generation. If you’ve been in the market for one of these cool F-Bodies, this 1980 Pontiac Turbo Trans Am is sure to please. It’s located in New Baltimore, Michigan, and can be found here on eBay with bidding up to $23,800 at present.
It’s also important to take into consideration that the ’80 model saw some serious engine changes in general for the Trans Am. Gone was the availability of the larger displacement offerings from the previous year, with the Olds-sourced L80 403 and more desirable W72 400 in the history books. The standard engine was now the 301, rated at just over 150 horsepower, but if the turbo was added this number increased to 210, within 10 horses of the previous year’s 400. The example offered for sale here has only traveled 38,000 miles since new and still has its original engine, which is said to run smoothly and produce plenty of power. An automatic is all you could get with this one, and it’s also an original component of the car, as is the 3.08 rear end.
The Pontiac is said to have come out of a private Trans Am collection, with only two prior owners, and includes its original build sheet and paperwork. It’s stated to have been a resident of New Mexico for most of its life, with a straight and solid body plus no rust issues. The finish is said to look great and shine like a mirror, but no word on whether or not the paint is original or if the car has had a respray at some point. There’s also factory air conditioning, which the seller says is kind of rare to find on a T-Top equipped example.
Inside, things are said to be original, and it’s really hard to see much at all in there to find fault with, especially now being over 40 years old. It’s also a B18 car, Pontiac’s factory code for the deluxe interior, and some of the driver comforts on this one include power windows, cruise control, tilt steering, and rear defogger along with a few other goodies. If only it had been available with a 4-Speed, but it wasn’t, and it is what it is. In the good news department, there’s no reserve, so the high bidder has bought the car. What are your thoughts on this 1980 Pontiac Turbo Trans Am?
I agree with your write up, Mike!
Engineers really struggled to keep up with emissions requirements, etc. in the 1970’s and first half of the 1980’s.
New technologies, such as computer controlled engines (ECM’s), coupled with adding a turbocharger, really gave rise to a new dawn of performance.
Larger displacement V-8’s were also given new life breathed into them in the way of intake and exhaust improvements/refinements…..heck look how far we’ve come today.
That, coupled with increasing safety, reliability, and handling truly gave way to a “Rising Phoenix” of new era muscle cars.
I really like this Turbo TA! Looks fantastic!
Someone should tell the seller that A/C was required with the turbo engine, so every Turbo T/A with T-tops has A/C. Also, I believe the gold-toned wheels were only for models with the SE package, but I can’t find anything to confirm this.
Finding one of these with its original drivetrain intact is somewhat unusual. Even with a loss of only 10 HP and a gain of 25 lb-ft of torque, performance was nowhere near the T/A 6.6 from 1979. Nobody really knew how to modify them effectively at the time, so many of the turbo engines were swapped out for something more old-school.
When I learned to use the water-brake engine dyno, it was set up with this turbo charged engines. It was capable of much more HP & torque, but was limited as installed. Being a rookie at running the dyno, I led it into some severe detonation a few times. What I learned over the next few years, I am convinced that it was much more capable. I think a more accurate statement would be that “few people knew how tune them at the time”.
A Leisure Suit on wheels.
The top of the line Turbo Turkey.
So with all the optional accessories, the car’s weight (they were heavy cars by then) the smog engine, with AC a drag on the crankshaft……I don’t believe I’d be at all impressed with the performance…..
“DISCO LIVES!”
First time one of these showed up at our weekly street race session back in the day, we old schoolers were a little nervous; newfangled tech and all. That fear lasted until about 3 seconds into the Trans Am’s first race.
This guy got one in the high 12’s through the 1/4 and it might hit low 12’s by the time he’s finished. Check out his Youtube channel.
https://ttaperformance.com
Excellent, nicely preserved stock example. Someone will be getting a very nice Trans am here.
Buddy had an 80 turbo ta that was very tired by the time he got it in high school. Performance was awful so I suspected the turbo was not functioning. He asked how we could test it.
I suggested removing the wastegate actuator arm and told him it will either make no difference or make considerably more power for a very short period of time.
He voted to go for it, so that’s what we did! Didn’t change a thing which confirmed to me the turbo wasn’t working. Kept driving it slowly nevertheless.
It was a highway star car,terrible off the line..zero guts..but on the highway at 60 mph..punch it and it’s in it’s element…so..road trip anyone? :P
I would like to compare this interior to an all blue or tan interior – these TOO red seats & even steering wheel don’t quite match the rest of the darker red trim & carpet inside, tho i don’t think there’s discoloring or fading in this particular car’s interior. I guess back then there were various independent vendors that made interior trim parts?
I notice there are now spring assisted shocks on the rear – for higher ground clearance & a “better stance”? & even the front end seems to be sitting too high – again – maybe spring assisted shocks or white kybs have been substituted there – no pics of the front suspension.
Hopefully the mileage is correct & we don’t have a high mileage restored car here with worn out coil & leaf springs.