This 1970 Pontiac Trans Am is far more than a pretty face. It might not be numbers-matching, but the rebuilt 455ci HO V8 will provide its new owner with a rapid classic motoring experience. It has spent its life in a favorable climate, allowing it to remain rust-free. The seller has gained plenty of attention since listing the Trans Am here on eBay in Cotati, California. They set their BIN at $50,000 with the option to make an offer.
Pontiac diversified its customer offerings when it released the Second Generation Firebird for the 1970 model year. It saw buyers able to order the Firebird Formula and the Esprit, with the Trans Am initially struggling to find its feet. However, that situation would soon change, with the badge becoming the most highly sought-after variant from 1975. The seller confirms that this gem received a repaint in its original Polar White, but not when this occurred. The presentation is extremely tidy, with no major cosmetic shortcomings. One slice of significant positive news is that this Trans Am has split its time between its current location and Arizona, making its rust-free status both welcome and unsurprising. The trim and glass look extremely nice, and the Pontiac rolls on a set of Rally II wheels.
Ordering a 1970 Trans Am brought buyers a 400ci V8, producing a very respectable 345hp and 430 ft/lbs of torque. This car’s first owner teamed that motor with a four-speed M21 manual transmission and a 12-bolt Posi rear end. Those preferring originality will potentially be disappointed to learn that although this Pontiac retains its factory transmission and rear end, the 400 is long gone. In its place is a 455ci HO powerplant, a motor that first saw light of day in a Trans Am in 1971. Its specifications are unclear, but there should be no performance loss with this change. The seller states that the engine is freshly rebuilt, but supplies no information regarding the car’s mechanical health. However, I see nothing suggesting that the news will be anything but positive.
The lack of information supplied by the seller extends to the interior. Scrutinizing the photos seems to suggest that it may have received at least a partial retrim, because there is no significant wear on any surfaces, and the carpet looks remarkably clean. Beyond that, we are pretty much flying blind because this is the only interior shot in the listing. It looks like the gauge cluster has been updated, but whether it features such creature comforts as a radio is unclear.
This 1970 Pontiac Trans Am can best be described as an extremely tidy survivor. Although it is no longer numbers-matching, the upgraded engine is appropriate for a car of this type. The seller’s price isn’t cheap, but with Listing View and Watch List tallies of 454 and 44, respectively, it has certainly piqued interest amongst enthusiasts. Do you think that it will head to a new home, and are you tempted to make it yours?
Dunno. A nice looking car but honestly the green Formula drew my attention and still holds it.
Amen.
Need to see the PHS documentation on this one looks like a clone to me 50K is pretty cheap for a real deal TA of this vintage. Looks to me like it started out as a Formula
Drivers side of car just doesn’t look right at the door and quarter panel area. Looks like it’s been repaired and door doesn’t line up correctly.
Good catch. Looking at the bottom of that door is also a really poor fit and can see some poor body work on that rear quarter also.
If you look closely the door is left ajar. It shows clearly on eBay.
Something is off about this car, the non painted wheel flare seals, the rear decklid with 1/2″ gap on right side, fenders and doors don’t align, these and GTO’s came with no trim rings on the rims. These 455’s are fetching upwards and some exceeding 6 figures of late. This needs to be put on a rack and thoroughly inspected by whoever buys it. Pictured is a real example.
The car has dealer plates, what possible reason would a dealer not have a copy of the PHS, it would at a minimum make the car easier to sell. The dealer also claims it has a 1971 455HO, at least show that it has round exhaust ports in one of the pictures. The purpose of an ad it to help you sell a car for more money or more quickly, for some reasons sellers have seemed to have forgotten that.
Steve R
Good catch. Looking at the bottom of that door is also a really poor fit and can see some poor body work on that rear quarter also.
This generation of these body styles are all prone to door hinge and latch problems. I worked for a body shop as a wholesale dealer sales manager, mouthful I know, sorry. I went to all of the Seattle area used car dealerships and sold paint and bodywork for their used cars that they wanted repaired. I ran into a lot of these cars and invariably 85-95% needed drivers door hinges. Reason why was because the door was too long and heavy for the manufacturers hinge specs.
I’m seeing too many other squirrels in the attic on this one.
Don’t have room anyway.
Have fun ya’ll.
dealer plates so he is a flipper. the original; dash cluster is gone and looks digital. asking 50k and can’t even spring for the proper center caps for the wheels. as others have said where is the PHC docs. he wants big money for little work. this needs serious investigation before buying
How can anyone really know if it’s a 71 455 HO and not a 76 Bonneville mush motor stuffed in a Formula body that’s dressed like a TA? Since every “Dealership” I’ve ever dealt with has been so honest about where they got it from or the infamous “that’s what I was told” I would scour every number and want to contact previous owners before shelling out $50k on a car that just don’t quite look right to me. She’s a beautiful car, but I’d want to make sure it is the real deal inside, outside, and under the hood!
I’m sorry that you had bad experiences at les than honest dealers. I worked in and out of dealerships from 1972 to current. (Retired but still do some consulting) I was lucky that all the dealerships were honest. (Except one where I learned more about how to run a dishonest dealership than I ever wanted to know.) I did not last long at the dishonest dealership. It was a terrible conflict for me an I was constantly looking for a new work home. I made good money there because I caught them jacking with the $numbers. But my stomach turned everytime I turned the key in the dealership door lock. I was so glad to get out of there. But it was also an education for what to look for in future years/and business. YOU DON’T HAVE TO BE DISHONEST TO MAKE MONEY IN THE DEALERSHIP BUSINESS. Sitting in dealership business meetings and listening to the planing on how to “run the scam” was eye opening. I can honestly say that I have never lied to a customer and never operated dishonestly. I was ranked in the top half of the top 1% in the nation for GM for 8 eight years. There is no need to be dishonest in your dealings.
Drivers door is partially open in the pictures that’s why it looks out of wack.
Agree with those questioning the 455 HO. Those were my first thoughts when I read about the swap.
The fit and finish on that interior is terrible. I’d be ashamed to show it that way. Especially at fifty-K.
The overall appearance (and some of it is the door not closed and proper center caps missing)it just looks shabby. Not “SALE READY AND BEAUTIFUL”
Under the hood is a bit of a mess.
Neatness counts, people.