Few body styles evoke the visceral response of the second-generation Pontiac Firebird Trans Am. Almost everyone over 50 has a story about a Trans Am. With its predatory front-end redesign, aggressive shaker scoop, and the bold, iconic “screaming chicken” decal commanding the hood, the 1979 model year marked both the absolute zenith of the Trans Am’s market dominance and the twilight of the classic muscle era. This 1979 Pontiac Trans Am is located in the Huntington Station area of New York. Listed here on Craigslist for $25,795, this 51,000-mile “survivor” is not just another classic for sale; it is a remarkably well-preserved time capsule from a legendary chapter in Detroit history. We appreciate Jack M. sending us this listing.
Beneath the shaker hood, the 1979 model year offered three different V8 engines. This Trans Am has Pontiac’s economy-focused L37 301-cubic-inch V8, which pushed out 150 horsepower. However, the most common powerhouse was the Oldsmobile-sourced L80 403-cubic-inch (6.6L) V8. Producing 185 horsepower, this smooth-revving engine was paired exclusively with a three-speed Turbo Hydra-Matic automatic transmission. For performance purists, the holy grail was the W72 Pontiac-built 400-cubic-inch (T/A 6.6) V8. Because Pontiac officially ceased production of the 400 block in 1978, they stashed away roughly 10,000 engines to give the ’79 model a high-performance send-off. Rated at 220 horsepower and mated strictly to a Borg-Warner Super T-10 four-speed manual, only 8,326 Trans Ams were built with this highly coveted powertrain.
Like most Nocturne blue Trans Ams, this car has the light blue interior. Demand for Pontiac’s pony car hit an all-time high. Pontiac produced a staggering 211,453 Firebirds in 1979, and remarkably, the top-tier Trans Am accounted for more than half of those sales, with 117,108 units leaving the factory. The 1979 model year also debuted a dramatic visual facelift, replacing the previous dual split-grille nose with a continuous, aerodynamic front end featuring four distinct rectangular headlights. This car appears to have tilt steering, rear defrost, and air conditioning, but no T-Tops or power windows.
In 1979, Pontiac offered exterior paint codes including Starlight Black, Cameo White, Platinum Poly, Solar Gold, Nocturne Blue, Atlantis Blue, Mayan Red, Heritage Brown, and Sierra Copper. Inside, buyers could choose between standard and deluxe cloth or vinyl packages in colors like Camel Tan, Carmine Red, Oyster, Black, and Blue—or the bespoke silver leather exclusive to the 10th Anniversary Edition. This looks like a clean survivor and is priced reasonably.
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