This 1980 Pontiac Trans Am is a true time capsule, having only covered a documented 6,000 miles. Owning this car would be almost as close as you could get to owning a new 1980 Trans Am, and if you fancy that idea, you will find the Trans Am listed for sale here on eBay. Located in Addison, Illinois, it comes with a clear title. The owner has set a BIN price of $29,900 for the car, although you do have the option of making an offer.
The Trans Am presents pretty well exactly as you would expect a car of this mileage to present, but it is not perfect. There are a couple of little marks on the car, but when I say little, I mean little. The paint and trim are generally in good condition, as are the color-coordinated wheels. What I find interesting on this car is how the color on the painted plastic components has changed compared to the metal surfaces. The underside of the car looks rock solid, although there is evidence that that area has undergone a repaint at some stage.
The interior is basically flawless. It is exactly as it left the factory, and there are no problems there. The car comes equipped with air conditioning, tilt wheel, and power windows. You can also view this YouTube video, which provides a walk around of the car and shows it running and driving.
This Trans Am features the 301ci V8 engine and automatic transmission. The engine bay looks tidy, and in the previously mentioned YouTube video, the car does sound nice. The car is also fitted with air conditioning, power steering, and power brakes.
This 1980 Pontiac Trans Am is not the cheapest example on the market, but nor is it the most expensive. There have been a number of low mileage examples that have sold recently for higher prices than that being asked for this car. There is also an example currently on the market which has a genuine 270 miles on the clock, but it is listed at twice the price of this one. In reality, this Trans Am probably represents a pretty decent buy at this price.
Nice……..
No way I would pay this for a boat anchor 301..why would anyone collect these. I have owned 2 301s both engines cam shaft lobes fell at very low miles. Way under powered 0-60 in a day and a half. This would be a nice car to put a 400 into but price would have to be half what they’re asking.
My 1975 Trans Am also had cam lobe issues. Good to see GM didn’t jump to conclusions and spent at least 5 years studying (Er, denying) the problem. It is still tough to find a company that deserved to die more during that era than GM. Sure, they all designed and built crap, but GM designed and built a special type of crap and I would guess they still do.
I concur on crap cars..GM is still around but Pontiac failing didn’t surprise me ……the G6 hardtop convert car was decent looking but the wiring was total crap 💩…I helped a person replace each headlight wiring connect as they melted off at 35 thousand miles. GM denied an issue but googling proved an issue and OReily making a special section wire loom on the shelves that sold out constantly proved the point. The rear light looms were recalled and the inside steering wheel wiring sensors went to the shop twice in two years.. the other misc issues…
Luckily it was parked by a roadway in a small town while the owner was on a getaway weekend and taken out by an old lady with their dog in their lap while unoccupied..
My 1973 firebird Espirt did the same thing, of course it didn’t help that the prior owner changed the oil every other year…
Cam was perfectly round …
You could run half Slick 50 and half synthetic oil ….
This was before Slick 50….
To each his own, but there are few cars I’d hate to be seen driving more than this. There’s nothing objectively, subjectively, or stereotypically good about this car.
To each his own indeed. I’ve always liked the ’79-’81 TAs. I can’t explain it because they’re not particularly good cars or great performers or really classic designs. I just like them.
To me they represent the essence of American design for the late ’70’s – wretched excess. Sort of the Marilyn Monroe of cars – all curves and voluptuous lines.
In a perfect world, i.e. winning the lottery, I would convert to coil spring rear suspension, put in a healthy 6.2 LS motor and modern transmission and just drive it.
How about a 455 SD rather then make it into Camaro?
Hey, I regularly search CL for AMCs, so who am I to judge? I only speak my mind. This one just doesn’t ring my bell. I like Firebirds up through ’76, then I go blind to them.
I like it. Can’t race it, but a nice cruiser. Love that they kept the body color Rally II wheels. Most of them were originally equipped that way. Seems that almost everybody has replaced with snowflakes.
I was expecting to see honeycomb wheels.
Honeycombs were only available in 14×6 14×7 and 15 inch variants from 71-76..
Honeycombs actually came factory on my 1979 Firebird.
301 TA for 30K. Never thought that would ever be a thing. While someone obviously took care of this one, the lack of miles doesn’t justify the extra 20K price difference, especially a hardly optioned car with a boat anchor under the hood.
@staff, why do I get your subscribe today notification on every page I visit here?
For that price, there better be at least a third pedal and a set of T-Tops
I have a new 350 crate in my 80 z and still have under 12 k in it total and love it. 29k seems like a bunch when you can spend half that for one of these that are more personalized.
I love the body shape and looks of these trans am. But I definitely need the tops! Love mine!
I can smell the cocaine and Chromium Oxide off-gassing from Judas Priest cassettes already.
I’ve always loved the F-Bodies and have owned a few. I’d love to have it. Not a fan of the 301 but I’d still have a nice time in it.
Comment on the interior plastics:
I am the original owner of a 1979 Mustang, so same era as this car. Mine also has a blue interior. Despite having spent 95% of its life indoors, all of the ‘blues’ in the interior faded / aged to different shades (door panels, dash hull, dash cover, console, upholstery, carpet…. even small pieces like seat belt sleeves and kick panels). It was just the quality of the materials of the day. And today, most of these plastic parts are very brittle.
Who knows, what will the interior pieces on today’s new cars look like in 40 years?
I don’t have much opinion about this specific car, but I do appreciate ANY car this old which is low mileage and has been maintained in stock condition.
Pretty rusty on the bottom. Nice that they sealed it in with undercoating. I imagine there are more surprises.
I hate the look of the nose cone on the 78 thru 81 I would have to change it to an earlier ta nose cone and put a 455 hd in it instead of the 400 and the worthless 350 and put in a 4 speed manual transmission I don’t know why every body wants to do a resto mod with a piece of trash engine like the 350 or want a Pontiac with that worthless engine
I liked them all but the 79-81’s were the same. ’78 were pretty much same from 77-78. I like the pre ’79 better.
That 301 needs to get snatched out
Immediately!!!
I’d leave it. Too low of mileage to ruin the matching numbers. Drive it and enjoy it. So what if it’s slow? JMO.