- Seller: Noah R
- Location: Rehoboth, Massachusetts
- Mileage: 10,692 Shown
- Chassis #: 1G2FW87H0GN207976
- Title Status: Clean
- Engine: 305 V8
- Transmission: Automatic
As a “barn find,” this 1986 Pontiac Trans Am looks like a fantastic project and is showing just 10k miles. It was reportedly bought new in Massachusetts and has stayed there ever since, having been used sparingly by its one owner. A man bought it new for his wife in 1986 and she last drove it over three decades ago, in 1993. It’s been in storage ever since and recently came out into the daylight.
Does it have its cosmetic issues, yes, but so do all of us, and a car is much easier to fix, as anyone who is almost 40 years old knows all too well. Over 40 and it’s much harder. Fixing a few dings and scratches and repainting a car is nothing compared to waking up with yet another ache and pain somewhere. Enough about me… ha. The seller has all of the original paperwork other than the window sticker.
The seller says that this Trans Am has been painted at some point in its life, but they don’t know when, and they say it has very little surface rust. You can see that it needs cosmetic help on the exterior, as mentioned. The third-generation Pontiac Firebird was made from 1981 for the 1982 model year until the end of the 1992 model year. The wraparound rear wing was standard on the Trans Am model in 1986 and there was a rear window louver available on mid-year cars. The wing only came in black.
From what we see of the interior, it looks pretty nice overall, front to back. This one has a four-speed automatic rather than a manual, which may raise a few eyebrows among Barn Finds readers, but this wasn’t a monster muscle car with a 305 V8. Pontiac offered a base Firebird, a Firebird SE, and the Firebird Trans Am.
Here’s the aforementioned 305-cu.in. OHV V8 with a four-barrel carburetor, which in 1986 had between 150 and 190 horsepower when new. It looks appropriately dusty for having sat for three decades and the seller says it runs but needs some tinkering with the carburetor. It pumps gas up to the carb but the carburetor most likely needs a rebuild after being parked so long. This sure looks like a nice project car for the next owner and you can find it listed here as a Barn Finds Auction!
Bid On This Auction
Kyle Meek bid $750.00 2024-09-09 02:40:22
GolfGod36 bid $500.00 2024-09-07 08:24:45
Let’s see….
It’s been repainted, and needs to be repainted again.
The engine compartment is dirty.
The interior is clean, but shows use – including a poorly installed stereo.
It was bought new in 1986 and put into storage in 1993, but somehow managed to acquire an “Earl Chevrolet” dealership sticker on the bumper, next to a well-aged AAA sticker.
There are certainly some clues that point to mileage far higher than the indicated 10,692. Instrument clusters can be swapped.
Ok, 8th digit is an H so it’s the lowest horsepower version. It doesn’t have T-tops which is definitely a plus but nothing about its condition makes any sense. It’s obviously been “stored” outside in someone’s yard and there’s rust hiding under the trim and inside the wheelhouses. The cracked paint is where a repair was made (not very well) and there’s mildew inside which tells of a leak. The undercarriage looks like way more than 10,000 miles but those aero wings used to crack apart with the best of treatment due to just drying out as they’re foam on the inside. This one from the picture actually looks pretty good. Don’t know how high I’d take a chance with this one being pretty much the base version and not drivable. Owner needs to get it running and moving.
I was just going to comment. A 1986 L69 Trans Am would be very rare indeed! Only 26 were made, and most of those were for the Canadian Player’s Challenge racing series. If it was one, it would have “G” as the engine digit.
I had an 87 Trans am with a 305 with TPI. Other than the “HYPER” chip (as it was called), I don’t know what was done to it but it was one of the faster cars I’ve owned (and I’ve owned A LOT) It also had t-tops which I really liked in that one and my 78 black beauty. I also have had several others and no leaks with any of them. I’ve always considered myself lucky in that aspect. I wasn’t really fond of this body style when it came out in 83 but with the ground effects and rear wing and all, it was a very nice looking car and my 75 Camaro was the only car that was more fun to drive. Problem was half the times I started it, it ran real rough and the check engine light came on and no matter what I did, I couldn’t figure out the problem. One of very few I would like to have a second chance with but a year after I sold it I seen it on a Tear-A-Part tow truck. Tried to buy it back but no dice. Pretty bummed out about that one. One less in our inventory. The morale is, If you can’t fix it, give someone else a shot before scrapping it. Our muscle cars are slowly disappearing. This is a very base model and obviously has more than 10K on it but still needs to be brought back from the dead. Hope it get to the right hands.
Attention everyone
I have the title and it says 10,000 miles, car has been sitting for 32 years in a barn, not a closed up and sealed garage with heat and AC a barn and as stated it became a catch all…., sorry the car is not in top condition, people act as if I said this car was the best thing since sliced bread, I’m not and it’s not at all, it’s a car and I told it’s story, I have seen cars that have even less mileage and in worse condition, just because it’s not pretty doesn’t mean it doesn’t have 10,000 miles, I’m not saying the car is museum quality, but I seriously have my doubts in 1993, the guy swapped clusters or did anything else anyone is suggesting,
Unless you have questions about the car, please refrain from just picking the car apart,
Noah, when your on this site, w readership this knowledgeable, be prepared for some real questions sir. 🤝
10,000 miles in what 8 years ? Along with a repaint? Makes about zero sense ! If it was sitting in a temp controlled storage it wouldn’t be rusting.. either it was crashed or there’s 110,000 miles. Seat can look great for several 100 k I know that with 2 trucks @ over 400k without torn seats. The wing will get fat because the anchor bolts rust under the urethane.
My question is fairly simple. It says it runs but could use some carburetor tinkering or even a rebuild. I’m just needing to know if it is going to run to be loaded on a trailer or will it be in need of extra help to get loaded? I’m sure with not being on the road in all those years it needs attention to run right but just interested in current running or not condition. Thanks a bunch.
Personally, I’d rather have a Firebird with 135,000 miles on it that has been cared for rather than one with low miles suffering from mega neglect.
I just do not see potential here with the $$ needed to bring it to a respectable condition that will easily out weigh its value.
Well guess I won’t be bidding on this one. Another seller not responding for whatever reasons.
Maybe he’s trying to get it started, it’ll help.
10,000 miles in what 8 years ? Along with a repaint? Makes about zero sense ! If it was sitting in a temp controlled storage it wouldn’t be rusting.. either it was crashed or there’s 110,000 miles. Seat can look great for several 100k I know that with 2 trucks @ over 400k without torn seats. The wing will get fat because the anchor bolts rust under the urethane.