I am a fan of classics with unusual features, because they help them to stand out in a crowd. This 1970 Pontiac Trans Am project is such a vehicle. It doesn’t seem unusual on the surface, but the first owner’s decision to order it with a column shift is definitely different. The seller has “broken the back” of the hard work required to return it to a factory-fresh state, leaving the buyer to add the finishing touches. They have listed the Trans Am here on eBay in Palmyra, New York. They set their BIN at $36,500 with the option to make an offer.
Pontiac introduced its Second Generation Firebird range in 1970, with our featured Trans Am a first-year example. Ordered by its first owner in Polar White, it has led an interesting life. Originally a Californian resident, it moved to New York last year. Sadly, it spent many years parked under a cover in California, with the roof suffering as a result. The seller decided not to take any shortcuts, having both the roof and one lower rear quarter panel professionally replaced to address the sheetmetal shortcomings. The underside shots reveal dry surface corrosion, but no penetrating rust. I would treat the corrosion to prevent deterioration and ensure the car remains rock-solid for many years to come. The seller also fitted aftermarket Rally II wheels and has replacements for the front spoiler and fender flares on backorder. These should arrive within the next week, and along with the new hood, new Ram Air setup, weatherstripping, and rubber seals, they are included in the deal.
Powering this Trans Am is its numbers-matching 400ci Ram Air V8. A three-speed Hydramatic transmission handles shifting duties, and the car also features power steering and power brakes. The Ram Air was a handy weapon in 1970, and its performance is still considered respectable fifty-six years after this classic left the lot. That year’s Firebird Sales Brochure quotes power and torque figures of 345hp and 430 ft/lbs, making the Trans Am a genuinely fast car. The seller’s cash splash didn’t end with this Pontiac’s exterior, because they recently installed a new radiator, water pump, alternator, and brake booster. They include a new master cylinder for the buyer to fit. Otherwise, they state that the car runs and drives well, suggesting it is mechanically ready to go once the buyer hands over the cash.
The seller admits that the Trans Am’s interior is a work in progress, but with the new seatcovers and door trims installed, it should look pretty stunning once fully reassembled. The deal includes new rear plastic, sound deadener, underlay, a new carpet set, and kick panels. The dash is dismantled, and it is unclear whether the seller includes the removed parts. However, I suspect they probably will. The first owner ordered the Pontiac with air conditioning, and although the system is complete, it doesn’t blow cold. What makes this interior unusual is the column-mounted shifter. I’ve seen lower-spec Firebirds with that feature, but I admit this Trans Am is a first for me. It is unclear why the first owner ticked that box, but it is definitely unusual.
The 1970 Pontiac Trans Am is an inherently desirable classic, and this car looks like a promising project candidate. Whether the shifter adds to its potential value is questionable. Still, it is certainly a conversation starter should the new owner arrive at a Cars & Coffee after finishing its restoration. The Trans Am has generated significant interest since hitting the market, with the Listing View and Watch List tallies of 306 and 39, respectively, looking pretty impressive. If you’ve longed to own a Trans Am, could this 1970 example be a contender?
Bizarre. Column shift is rare but I would have to think that it hurts the value of the car
Column shift doesn’t help the value of a 70 Trans Am, rare doesn’t always mean valuable
Exactly
Correct. It is the direct opposite in value versus a four on the floor. I am glad it exists; I hope someone restores it, but I would never want it. A three-on-the-tree would be intriguing for something more pedestrian.
It’s an automatic with the shifter on the column instead of the floor.
Correct, a column shift automatic hurts value on a 70 Trans Am, I restored one 40 plus years ago, the 1st thing I did was take out that column shift and change it to a tilt column, problem solved, no more column shift.That car had only 1 option from the factory, an AM/FM radio
You gotta be kidding me, a Trans Am with auto on the column, why didn’t we get a bench seat also. Fortunately have never seen that before.
These are definitely an odd combination, but they exist. Another one was featured on this site last month. If you use this sites search function and type in Trans Am column you will find 3 others.
Steve R
Where is the rest of the dash and all the gauges and everything else AC/Heat controls?
I posed that question myself, Lakota. It isn’t mentioned, and there’s no sign of it in the listing gallery. I would assume that the parts are included, but there’s always a danger of my finishing up with egg on my face if I have assumed incorrectly. That’s definitely a question I’d be asking before I committed the funds. Thanks so much for your feedback. It’s always welcome.
In 1970 a column shift Trans Am wasn’t an ordered option, it was the default on an auto transmission car if a console wasn’t ordered, the console was the option. 4 speed cars were always on the floor whether or not a console was ordered, most people ordered the console with TH400 transmission, but not all
I read once in an issue of High Performance Pontiac that it was thought the majority of column shift Trans Ams were a mistake made by people not familiar with the ordering process and thought a floorshift with console came together.
Steve R
Sounds like an old wives tale, 1970 was a time before option packages when a customer picked their own options making each car different, the option was the center console, column shift was the default if the console wasn’t ordered
It’s the box they didn’t tick that got the column shift. The box for floor console. GM didn’t make an automatic floor shifter without the console. There are automatic Z28’s out there with column shifts for the same reason. I wonder how many buyers got a surprise when their new TA or Z showed up with a column shift when the dealer didn’t inform them
I almost bought a 68 350 Camaro SS back in 1980 when i was a kid. Triple black, buckets, no stripes, just a nice car. It had a column shift automatic with a console. There was a factory delete plate where the shifter would have been. I always wondered what caused that clusterf#$k.
Someone bought the car with a column shift, but wanted a console and added it with a block off plate instead of changing the column and adding a floor shifter
if PHS docs were provided it say everything. strong money for it being apart and needing at least another 40k.
PHS shows the build sheet with ordered options, it won’t show a column shift since it was a default if a console wasn’t ordered, not an option
If a buyer in 1970 didn’t watch carefully when choosing options, unintended results like a default column shift would have been the result, I wonder how many times this happened ?
Another dreamer looking for a payday for a nightmare of $$$ to get it looking decent.
Wishful thinking…
If it were 26k nope. Column shift ?
Just $36k? And you put it back together and paint it? Because it has a column shifter. Got it…
$26000.00 overpriced
I agree with other comments , about the price .Overpriced . To put the money into it they have and not finish it . It looks like someone ran out of money and is trying to get there cash back out of it . As is I can see about $20000 . who ever gets it will have at least another $35000 in it .
Restorations are expensive, This is a collector car, but prices are not going up unless the car is a rare RAIV, its very easy to spend more than its worth finishing it