Babied Classic: 1979 Pontiac Trans Am

The seller claims that this 1979 Pontiac Trans Am has been babied throughout its life, and one glance at the supplied photos tends to support this. Finding anything significant to criticize about its presentation is difficult, and it is easy to see why it has picked up some show silverware along the way. They have long harbored a desire to own a 1930s hotrod, and with that dream now a reality, the time has come for this gem to find a new home. The Trans Am is listed here on eBay in Mahomet, Illinois. The bidding has raced to $25,700 but remains below the reserve.

Cameo White was probably not the most striking shade Pontiac offered on the 1979 Trans Am palette, but it is a classy color nonetheless. This car looks crisp and clean, courtesy of a repaint performed in 2016. The seller had an eye for detail during the process, replacing every seal to ensure the Trans Am remained immune to dust and water. You almost need a magnifying glass to spot any flaws or defects on its exterior, with the paint shining beautifully and the panels as straight as an arrow. There is no evidence of rust or other issues that could cause sleepless nights, and it is easy to see why this Pontiac has a few show trophies in its cabinet. The glass, including the optional T-Top, looks flawless. It is worth noting that the existing T-Top panels are from a Y88 model, but the seller includes the originals in their correct storage bags. The decals show no evidence of fading or checking, and the original Snowflake wheels are in as-new condition.

The Trans Am’s interior looks acceptable for a driver-grade vehicle but probably doesn’t achieve the same presentation level as the exterior. There is noticeable wear on the seats, but there’s no evidence of abuse or that anything is set to fail soon. The wheel center exhibits some minor physical damage, but there is little else to criticize. The dash and other plastic components are spotless, and the carpet looks excellent for a survivor. The factory radio has made way for an aftermarket radio/cassette player, but I see no other additions. The original owner ordered this classic with air conditioning, but the belt was removed from the compressor before the seller took delivery. They haven’t investigated whether there are any further issues with the A/C, with that task falling to the winning bidder. Other comfort features include power windows, cruise control, and a tilt wheel.

This Trans Am features the largest V8 in the badge’s armory for 1979, but that doesn’t make it the most powerful. The engine bay houses the 403ci Oldsmobile powerplant, while the remaining drivetrain components include a three-speed TH-350 automatic transmission and power assistance for the steering and brakes. The Olds V8 produces 185hp and 315 ft/lbs of torque, which is well short of the 400’s figures of 220hp and 320 ft/lbs. It was enough to launch this Trans Am through the ¼-mile in 16.6 seconds, demonstrating that this classic is more of a Grand Tourer than an outright performance model. The seller candidly admits the engine leaks a little oil, but that seems to be the extent of the bad news. They claim it has a genuine 62,000 miles on its odometer but don’t mention verifying evidence. However, it runs and drives beautifully and comes with documentation that includes the original Window Sticker.

With the demise of Pontiac more than a decade ago, it falls to cars like this 1979 Trans Am to carry the flag for a marque that was long considered the performance arm of the General Motors empire. This classic does that with style, and it is easy to see why it has attracted thirty-seven bids. I expect it to comfortably pass $30,000 before the hammer falls, but a higher figure is possible courtesy of its overall condition and odometer reading. It has been babied since the day it rolled off the lot, and we can hope that trend continues for many years.