For Pontiac muscle fans, the 1971 Trans Am is one of the most iconic birds ever built—and this one is the real deal. Listed here on eBay, this white-on-blue coupe is a true 455 HO car with a numbers-matching engine and automatic transmission. Parked in a barn since the late 1980s, it shows just 78,000 miles and is offered by a private seller with a clean title. It’s located in the U.S. and stands as a rare opportunity for anyone eager to restore a genuine muscle-era heavyweight.
As the seller notes, this car has been off the road for decades but remains surprisingly complete. The engine turns freely and the drivetrain is believed to be original, including the high-output 455 cubic inch V8, one of the most desirable engines from Pontiac’s golden years. While not currently running, the bones are here for a proper revival.
The 455 HO was rated at 335 horsepower and 480 lb-ft of torque, making it one of the torquiest engines of its time. The air cleaner and several original components appear intact under the hood, which adds to the car’s authenticity and value. With Pontiac performance on the rise, the numbers-matching aspect alone makes this a noteworthy project.
Inside, the Trans Am features a blue interior with what appears to be a mostly original dash and trim. There’s some wear and tear consistent with long-term storage, but it’s far from a lost cause. For enthusiasts who enjoy keeping as much factory material as possible, this could be a rewarding restoration.
The big concern is rust. The seller notes the frame is rotted from the rear axle back, though forward from that point, including the floor pans and trunk, looks solid. This isn’t a small job, but it’s also not terminal. For the right buyer, it’s a chance to bring back a rare, numbers-matching 455 HO Trans Am, one of fewer than 2,100 built that year.
Do you think this parked-forever Poncho deserves a full-frame restoration, or would you keep the patina and build it as a survivor?
Lose the rims at once…
Those were factory option and are sought after. A friend has a 1974 Trans Am, he spent 6 months looking for a decent set before giving up and buying a set of Mini Lites.
Steve R
As others have said, the wheels are factory and highly prized. I do think the double whitewalls look out of place and may be making taking away from the overall appearance. I can’t believe no one has mentioned the cosmic shag carpet. I know it was the 70s, but WOW.
dirt floor bard looks to have done a number underneath
Those rims are stock, so keep those. I can’t believe someone hasn’t scooped this up already. If I were younger, hadn’t already restored so many, and had the space I’d jump on this. I had a 77 but always wanted one of the 455 HO versions. My friend had a 74 455 HO and that car was dangerously fast.
This was featured on this site November 20, 2024, not sure if it was never sold or a new owner is selling it. The write up on this site said they were asking $30,000 at the time, that’s why including an asking price matters.
Steve R
Those are expensive rare honeycomb rims, not all steel, I think like rubbery in center? I think original too. I love those!
They were called “Polycast wheels”. The process used a conventional steel wheel with a decorative face of molded polyurethane, attached with mechanical fasteners or bonded using adhesives (in some, both methods were applied). Because the rubbery, molded plastic fulfilled no structural purpose, designers were able to create intricate shapes which would then have been too delicate or complex to render (at an acceptable cost) in any sort of metal and there were no regulatory problems (even then Citroën didn’t bother seeking US approval for the more exotic “resin” wheels offered in Europe on the SM) because they were, in effect, just a permanently attached wheelcover. It was a popular approach in the 1970s. A set of “Exciters” produced by Motor Wheel was on the Dodge Challenger pace car which crashed during the 1971 Indianapolis 500.
Thunderbolt & Lightfoot Trans Am, 455 HO is out of sight! Sweet ride for some lucky person
That movie car was a ’73 that most likely had a stock 250 hp station wagon 455. Clint Eastwood bought the car afterwards & ran errands, etc. with it!
crusty, pretty far gone, not impossible to bring back, sure there are worse, but a lot of money for an expensive project requiring a lot of labor, replacement parts, and materials. Good luck.
Was really excited about this Trans AM, great motor, cool ground effects and even a cool color combo…then came the slushy… Heart breaking. :-(
The listing says $79,995. I love these cars but in this condition? Dream on
Great car
I have a 73 455 Brewster Green.
But for asking price unless you are skilled and do it in house, or have a shop and can turn it around there isn’t much meat left on the bone profit wise.
Wonder what will happen to these $ numbers when the boomers like me are gone, don’t see the younger guys dropping 100k + on these.
To much money, better one’s out there for same or less money.
For the work to be be done. Not at this price. I do remember seeing this TA. I think $40,000 to start. Unless some company makes a complete frame for this TA. Then you will have a chance to put it together and run it. I would try to fix the body and only paint those areas. Say goodbye to the Brady Bunch carpet! 😂 try to keep it as original as possible. Even with the antennas in the back. I am a old guy but i like the double whites on these rims! Fix and clean up the engine. All said and done. I won’t be surprised to get over $100,000.00 for it. Don’t laugh these TAs 70-73 bring big coin naturally depends on the condition of the vehicle. I hope the next buyer can fix it before it collapses on the floor. 🐻🇺🇸
I knew a welder, Ron who told me he made a small fortune fixing the back end of frames on these cars. That being said, I really do like the color combo and rims, but anything north of $ 40K is a wash.
That price is crazy for a non-running rust bucket. Ain’t gonna happen.
The “true 455 HO car” and additional verbiage used in the write-up creates the impression that this engine was some rare option on the Firebird Trans Am. But the rarity is due to the fact that the car is one of the 2,116 Trans Ams made for 1971, all of which were powered by the excellent 455 HO, an engine Pontiac only offered for 1971-72, and only in F-bodies and A-bodies, the latter limited to the GTO(standard in The Judge) and the T-37/GT-37.
BTW the 455 HO actually WAS a rare 1971Firebird OPTION, but for the Formula, of which only 321 were produced. Ram air induction was optional on the 455 HO Formula, whereas it was standard on the Trans Am.
For the strike-shortened 1972 model year, the numbers of 455 HO Firebirds would drop to 1,286 Trans Ams and 276 Formulas.
GLWTS. I hope this rare bird flies again.
Another problem was Pontiac’s use of 455HO past 1971 and 1972 model year, a lot of people think later iterations are the “same” engine. The special 455HO were produced for two years only, what came afterwards were slightly tweaked 455 passenger engines that the marketing department tacked the HO designation on to drive sales.
Steve R
True but I don’t think we can give Pontiac too much grief on that, since the 455HO name was first used for 1970 for the 455 in the GTO, and that engine was essentially the same D-port mill you could get in the full-size cars like station wagons!
rare for sure. drop 80k to buy it then another 100k to do a concourse restoration. this is for somebody with a deep pocket
This could be a sweet ride again. Its my wifes favorite, but in this condition , maybe $20000.
How ever buys this will have $50000 in this just to make it a safe driver.
I have seen the same model for about $60000 that were good condition and drivable.
Reminds a bit of the TA in Dazed and Confused movie.
That was a ’74 sd-455 with totally different front & rear ends.
SOLD for $27,100.