Due to a fear of rust, many enthusiasts seek out classics from favorable climates to park in their garages. That fact and its inherent desirability help explain why this 1973 Pontiac Trans Am has generated considerable interest since it hit the market. It is a prime restoration candidate, with only a couple of isolated rust spots. It retains its 455ci V8 under the hood, teamed with a four-speed manual transmission. Barn Finder Curvette has a finely-tuned classic radar, so I must say a big thank you for spotting the Trans Am listed here on eBay in Costa Mesa, California. The seller set their BIN at $49,750 with the option to make an offer.
Pontiac made a few cosmetic upgrades to the Second Generation Firebird range in 1973, including a revised nose, new colors, and the first appearance of the hood decal soon christened the “Screaming Chicken.” One new paint shade for 1973 was Buccaneer Red, the color chosen by this Trans Am’s first owner. The seller confirms that the vehicle retains its original paint and that close inspection will reveal cosmetic shortcomings. The Screaming Chicken has succumbed to UV exposure, and the paint is failing on a few surfaces. There is also a dent in the passenger-side door. However, this Blue-Plate survivor is almost completely rust-free. There is a small spot on the filler between the back window and the trunk lid, and a small area on the front hood lip. Beyond that, this beauty is rock-solid. Therefore, a cosmetic restoration should be relatively straightforward.
The first owner showed restraint when ordering this Trans Am. They ticked the boxes beside air conditioning and an AM radio, but didn’t select items like power windows or a console. The A/C is inoperative, which is the only identified functional fault. Cosmetically, it is begging for new seatcovers and a carpet set. However, the remaining Black vinyl looks acceptable for a driver-grade classic, and the dash and pad are excellent. Whipping the interior into shape should cost the buyer under $1,000
The beating heart of this beast is Pontiac’s glorious 455ci V8. The first owner teamed the motor with a four-speed M21 close-ratio manual transmission, power steering, and power front disc brakes. The V8 should produce 250hp and 370 ft/lbs of torque, with both figures an improvement over what buyers received from a Camaro Z28 or a Mustang Mach 1. The seller confirms that the Trans Am is a numbers-matching survivor. It is also a turnkey proposition that runs and drives well. Someone installed headers and a new aluminum radiator as the only known modifications. There is an exhaust leak and a couple of other minor faults. However, apart from the exhaust, which should be addressed for safety reasons, none are severe enough to warrant immediate attention.
Some classics slip under the radar when they hit the market, but this 1973 Pontiac Trans Am isn’t one of them. The Listing View and Watch List tallies of 259 and 87, respectively, confirm it has struck a chord with enthusiasts. That is understandable, because its lack of significant rust makes it a prime restoration candidate. The seller’s BIN isn’t cheap, and might be all that stands between the Pontiac and a new home. Of course, we have probably all seen situations where someone’s heart has ruled their head, spending more than they originally intended on the car of their dreams. Do you believe that will be the case this time?
I’m amazed this has been for sale for over a few weeks.
Too much $ for the condition. Un-realistic price….that’s why it’s sitting.