Pontiac threw a party in 1979, and its Trans Am was the guest of honor. Ten years had elapsed since the first Trans Am graced showrooms, and the company produced a 10th Anniversary Edition to celebrate the milestone. Featuring a special trim combination, it sold like hotcakes. Our feature Trans Am is one of those cars, presenting extremely well as a genuine survivor with 49,800 miles on the clock. The seller has listed it here on eBay in Nashville, Tennessee. Bidding sits below the reserve at $30,900, although there is a BIN option of $36,000 for those wishing to bypass the auction process.

Pontiac refreshed the front of its Firebird range for the 1979 model year, although it is fair to say that the company wasn’t prepared to spend a fortune on the Second Generation with its replacement waiting in the wings. The 10th Anniversary version brought Platinum Metallic paint to the party, combined with unique graphics with the iconic Screaming Chicken decal extending onto the fender tops. This Trans Am is in excellent condition for its age. The paint hasn’t become matte or patchy, the decals look crisp, and the panels are straight. There is no evidence or mention of rust, and the mirrored glass T-top panels can be stored in the original pouches. The “Turbo” wheels aren’t merely for good looks, because they perform a useful function. They were designed to pull cold air through the brakes, leading to greater efficiency and less chance of fading if the driver elects to push the envelope.

The silver theme set by the exterior continues inside this Trans Am, with the seats trimmed in matching leather. The remaining upholstered surfaces and the carpet are the same shade, and the gauges feature unique red illumination. This car’s seatcovers sport the typical wrinkles of aging leather, but there is no evidence of significant wear. The carpet looks excellent for its age, as do the dash and plastic. A CD player is the only visible addition to an interior featuring air conditioning, power windows, power locks, a rear defroster, and a tilt wheel.

The 1979 model year was the last when buyers could order a Trans Am with a 400ci V8 under the hood. However, most Trans Ams left the factory powered by the 403ci Olds motor that delivered 185hp and 315 ft/lbs of torque. There was no transmission choice in these cases, with every 403-powered Trans Am fitted with a three-speed automatic transmission and power assistance for the steering and brakes. That is the configuration chosen by this car’s original owner, and it appears to be unmodified. The seller claims that it has a genuine 49,800 miles on the clock without mentioning verifying evidence. It has been appropriately maintained and is a turnkey proposition for the winning bidder.

Pontiac’s Trans Am set a new sales record in 1979, with 117,108 buyers taking one home. The 10th Anniversary Edition contributed 7,500 vehicles to that tally, demonstrating that the pony car sector was far from dead. This Trans Am has attracted fifteen bids, with the listing statistics suggesting that the figure will climb in the auction’s final days. That begs the question of whether you believe that the BIN figure is realistic, and whether you feel that someone will hit the button to guarantee that they will take this Pontiac home.