One of the joys of writing for Barn Finds is that some classics force us to sit back, draw a deep breath, and say, “Wow!” Such is the case with this 1971 Pontiac Trans Am. Its presentation is superb, which is unsurprising considering it is fresh from a rotisserie restoration. The attention to detail is amazing, and the numbers-matching 455ci V8 under the hood delivers performance to match its muscular appearance. The other reality is that without our readers’ contributions, the site wouldn’t have the opportunity to feature classics of this caliber. Therefore, I must say a big thank you to Barn Finder Curvette for spotting the Trans Am listed here on eBay in Lincoln, Nebraska. A spotless Trans Am of this vintage is never going to be cheap, with the seller setting their BIN at $159,900 with the option to make an offer.
The seller provides some information surrounding this Trans Am’s history, although it is unclear when it was restored or who performed the work. However, the listing images support their claim of a rotisserie approach, as the car is spotless. The builder massaged the panels and eliminated any potential rust issues before laying down a fresh coat of the car’s original Lucerne Blue paint. The depth of color and shine is amazing, and it is fair to say that this Trans Am has no cosmetic shortcomings. Its beauty is far more than skin deep, with the underside shots revealing floors finished in Red oxide that are clean enough to eat off. Every mechanical component is in as-new condition, and the lack of chips and other shortcomings suggests the Pontiac hasn’t seen much action since leaving the shop. The trim and glass are spotless, and the Trans Am rides on its code-correct Rally II wheels.
This Trans Am would be a brutal beast, courtesy of its mechanical specifications. Buyers could choose from the 455ci “HO” V8 or…the 455ci “HO” V8. They could select a three-speed automatic transmission, but this car features the more desirable four-speed manual, a 3.42 Posi rear end, power steering, and power front disc brakes. How brutal was the “HO?” Pontiac’s 1971 Sales Brochure quotes power and torque figures of 335hp and 480 ft/lbs. However, the consensus was that the company had followed a typical industry practice of the era by understating both figures. Regardless of the truth, this Trans Am is genuinely fast. The seller confirms its numbers-matching status, stating that the builder’s attention to detail included ensuring that it retained its correct factory markings and that every part, nut, and bolt was correct. It is ready for action, needing nothing but a new owner behind the wheel.
The interior reveals an interesting fact about this Trans Am, suggesting the first owner focused on outright performance. They originally ordered the car with air conditioning, but the PHS documentation confirms that the Invoice was altered before delivery to delete the A/C. Otherwise, the console and AM/FM radio are the only factory options. Trimmed in Blue vinyl, the theme of as-new presentation continues wherever you look. There are no wear or marks, and the carpet looks perfect beneath the clear plastic covers. The beautiful machine-turned fascia is immaculate, and if Pontiac were still an active marque, this Trans Am would look at home on the showroom floor.
If you believe Hagerty, this 1971 Pontiac Trans Am is about as good as it gets. The paint shade is the most desirable, and the four-speed manual transmission adds to its potential value. That company also indicates that the BIN figure is well above the market average, even for a Concours example. Recent successful sales seem to support that, but the classic world can be unpredictable. I did locate an almost identical, freshly restored car that sold a couple of years ago for $120,000. Therefore, while our featured Trans Am is considerably more, I would never rule out sales success. Considering the example I have mentioned, do you think the seller will send the Trans Am to a new home at the BIN figure, or will compromise be the order of the day?
I have this exact car in Cameo White, all original and almost as clean, so I hope the seller gets his asking price. This is a gorgeous car and extremely popular, but I think the price is high. I was looking for an all original 1973 SD 4-spd car for 5 years, but couldn’t find the right car, for the right price. My 1971 came along and I’m happy with it.
It’s undeniably gorgeous, but the price seems a bit steep. Perhaps the seller is trying to tempt someone who’s been searching for something like this for a while and has the means to give in to the urge.
If I had the means I’d give in.
Every time a car shows up on BF from this seller, they are very overpriced. But, they must still make sales, somehow.
It only takes one person. The masses have been crabbing about prices for years but they keep going up and they always seem to sell
Beautiful car !!
Way would a 1971 model have a
Fuel gauge that said unleaded fuel only ?
Me think its a later model gauge.
I have a ’74 that was restored and the reproduction fuel gauges all say ‘unleaded fuel only’. Pontiac had already begun hardening the valve seats so that they could use unleaded fuel in preparation for the switchover.
[ reinserts tongue back into mouth ]
Love these early ones!! Looks like it is Trans Am time on BF!! Cool.
There’s a Brewster Green one on Classic.com, that’s going to make an appearance on Bring a Trailer. The dealer is asking a staggering…………….$250k! It’s beautiful car, but $250k beautiful? Yeah………no.
https://www.classic.com/veh/1973-pontiac-firebird-trans-am-super-duty-2v87x3n139246-Wq5xlbW/
Wow is right. These must get sideways in almost all 4 gears w that powerhouse setup.
Stan, maybe a chirp out of 2nd gear. These weren’t as big a power house as some thought.
This is a nice car however I feel that this dealer (or whatever he is) is testing the water.
The price is about $25k wishing and fishing.
Maybe a chirp out of second gear? They weren’t as big a powerhouse as some thought?
How about 0-60 in 5.5 and 13.80s in the quarter? Those cars would run with the best of the best from the ‘60s
I test drove one of these. It had 4 wheel steer!
Turn the steering wheel, depress the gas pedal, slide the back out, power steer through any turn you like.
Advanced engineering feature… LOL…
Convinced me to build a 73 Firebird into a corner carver with all kinds of suspension upgrades, and it was a riot to drive. Guy who bought it was tired of his Porsche, wanted more fun and handling too.
The junkyard I worked next to about 15 years ago crushed one exactly like this! And it was a relatively complete solid car too! 🥺 I literally couldn’t believe it! And it still hurts me to this day thinking about it! 😔 But what really hurt me the most is having seen that car on a daily basis every day I was at work for the few years I worked there, I had asked the owner of that junkyard about it what was the story on it, and what was their plans with it 🤷🏼♀️ basically just trying to break the ice to see if he’d be willing to sell it or not because it did need a restoration and judging by the inspection sticker on it it hadn’t ran in 20 years. But the rear frame rails and floor pan were in decent enough shape that I could have built it into a driver easily if I could have got my hands on it. Because literally everything was there! Functional ram Air hood scoop and all! 😍 But to my surprise when I asked the junkyard owner about it he kind of dilly-dally didn’t act like he didn’t know which car I was referring to (which was total BS, but anyway) 🙄 So I walked away kind of dumbfounded but figured I’d try again sometime in the future. But unfortunately, much to my shock and despair, 2 months after talking to the yard owner about it I saw it in the front parking lot of the yard with its roof smashed in by the front end loader and the wheels removed from it ready to be picked up by the loader and carried over to Sims metal next door to be scrapped! 😔🤬 Still breaks my heart to this very day! 😭 Same color and everything but had a black interior instead of a blue one. 😒
The name of the junkyard was Blackie’s out of York county, Virginia. And the yard is still slammed to the gills with muscle cars of various makes and models, but I have no idea what’s going on with them anymore or if they’re still in business. But I do know the yard with all the cars are still there so 🤷🏼♀️ but after that experience I hadn’t even bothered stepping foot in that place ever again. 😒
Beautiful T/A. Not sure what these HOs are getting these days, but it is probably close to priced right. Although (this is just me), I would come up with the extra 20k for yesterday’s ’73 SD, if I were to be choosing here. Either way, these are dream cars for me.
you’re paying for the restoration cost here. this is so nice it really can’t be driven. way too risky with all the sh***y drivers on their phones. this done in the best color combo too.
like mrs trump, pretty but costly.
Good thing I am not rich
I drove one of the (if not the last) 455 SD ‘Birds. It was ordered by my boss (dealer principal) for a friend of his. My boss had worked for Pontiac for many years before acquiring the dealership. And still had many connections. Plus our dealership was a sister store of the largest Pontiac dealer in the country. So when I say it was the last 455SD. It most likely was. It was a Formula 455SD. (TransAm hood scoop) Andcyesit had 4 wheel steering in every gear. It was a wonderful beast!
You know how rare those SD Formulas were, right? Double digit cars…There was a ’74 featured here last summer. I think it went for $105k, IIRC…
Gorgeous car, high ask. It is through a dealer / consignment, so they have to get their nickel too I guess.
Is it more desirable, due to the engine config? I thought I saw Steve R say that the 70-71 had the round ports on the heads? Regardless, what a hot piece of A– car! Love the color and the balls out approach to the option list : )
I could have bought one in ’87 for 1500 bucks it was white / blue strip blue gut 4spd and SD455 it was nasty but I already had my ’72 Monte, and it had no title ,boy the things we missed !
I always admired the firebird and honestly was a bit jealous of them but I had my Z28, I still thought the Pontiac dash and gages were the best.
I feel sorry for the seller. The ship has sailed on the market of doing rotisserie for profit . Feel even worse for the buyers these days. I love these old cars but I have my stash thankfully way before this “take my dad’s money and shut up crowd” destroyed the market. But unless you’re doing it to keep it. I highly doubt you’ll get your money back let alone profit. And as sad as it is for sellers. It’s been a long time coming that the market gets the reality check. It’s still way way too high for a dad and son to enjoy building a car. and honestly I’d love to see it crash even harder. There was absolutely junk carcass Chevelle skeletons selling for 10k a few years ago. I mean come on people. As nice as these cars look. That’s all they have. Any modern 4 cylinder will out run, handel, and comfort any classic while getting 30 + mpg.
A ‘73 all original 4 speed for 1/3 the price:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/227365308739