Most car enthusiasts have good intentions. We buy a car with the expectation of restoring it and driving it. I should know. I bought a 1973 Brewster Green 4-speed Trans Am 5 years ago, and I am still working on the restoration. The seller of this car bought it 20 years ago, and it has sat in a garage with the expectation of restoring it someday, but it is now ready to move on to the next owner. This 1971 Pontiac Trans Am is located in Tucson, Arizona. It is said to be rust-free except for the trunk and hood. The car is listed here on Craigslist for $27,500. The ad has been up for about a month.
The blue interior is trashed, but at least most of it is still there. The glove box is missing, and I don’t see the passenger seat. The car appears to have been originally equipped with air conditioning, but it is hard to see anything else because there is only one interior picture in the ad. The seller believes that the engine and transmission are original to the car and have never been removed. The Trans Am was bought at Quebedeaux Pontiac, a dealer in Tuscan, Arizona.
All 1971 and 1972 Pontiac Trans Ams were equipped with the HO455 engine. This engine was unique and was the last of the round port head engines built by Pontiac. It was rated at 335 gross horsepower and 480 ft-lb of torque. The engine as designated at the LS5 by Pontiac for the UPC code. The engine was also available in the Pontiac GTO. This car looks like it has its original aluminum intake manifold and some of the original air conditioning components. The brake master cylinder looks newer, and there is overspray in the engine compartment.
From 1970 through 1972, the Trans Am was available in Cameo White with a blue stripe or Lucerne Blue with a white stripe. While this car is mostly primer, surface rust or faded paint, it was originally Cameo White with a blue interior. Pontiac built 2,116 Trans Ams in 1971 which was very low production compared to the later 1970’s which production exceeded 117,000 Trans Ams in 1979. While there is bondo and some concerns, this looks like a good project if you could get it for a more reasonable price.
Rare and very desirable car. Too bad about the misguided attempt at “restoration.” All indications point to the prior owner having a mullet. Hope it falls in the right hands.
This is a rare car but will require a complete ground up restoration. The asking price is optimistic for what it’s going to require, missing parts and/or engine original/rebuildable?
Big time torque. Love Pontiacs.
BJ is Brewster a dark forest green ?
Stan, yes, Brewster Green (Code 48) is a dark forest green. I am going with a tan interior.
Hey Bruce , B.G.on tan 73 is the one I am after .Original or restomod would do VERY NICE ! I am a serious cash buyer for one .
My car is in mid restoration. The pic above is how it will look. My BG TA is a PHS documented 4 speed. Are you looking for a project or restored car?
Hargardies estimated values is a very good tool when deciding to proceed with the inquiry
$27,000 and not even any gold dust on it. Sounds like someone got it cheap and trying to make a killing off of it. I gave away 2-77 models 2 weeks ago in alot better shape then this car.
A 77 is not even in the same area code as a 71 price wise unless its a bandit car.
Bruce ,I’d rather it be done .I have a shop and fulltime restorer but prefer instant gratification.I’d buy a driveable project ,in a GM heartbeat !
UPC code?? I thought they were RPO(regular production option) codes.
Mark, Good question. Pontiac used both RPO and UPC codes The RPO code was 34U for the 455HO.
Just a couple minor details: the last round port Pontiac engines were the ‘73-‘74 Super Duty 455’s. And the ‘70s were Polar White with a much brighter blue interior option, while the ‘71-‘72 color was Cameo white, with darker blue interior option.
Cool car, hopefully it gets restored.
Love that Brewster Green ‘73 of yours!
Tom, you are correct on all points.
Good morning Bruce ,
If you are at all interested in selling ,or finishing the car to my order ,I am a very serious cash buyer .Just add “@telus.net” to my handle for my email
Thank you !