The Pontiac Trans Am would become a hot commodity in the late 1970s due in part to the popularity of the Smokey and The Bandit movies with Burt Reynolds. From the factory, the cars were limited to a single body style, a coupe, but if you went to the dealer, we understand you could order a special convertible conversion from National Coach Engineering. The seller’s 1980 Trans Am may be one of those cars, although NCE was not the only provider in that space. Located in Vista, California, this interesting Poncho is available here on craigslist for $28,000 OBO. Thanks for the cool tip. Rocco B.
We’re not told if NCE built this Trans Am, but we’re going to assume they did. From 1977 to 1988, they did conversions like this for General Motors on the Firebird, Trans Am, and Camaro along with some other custom coachwork. They operated out of a couple of facilities in Port Sanilac, Michigan. GM had gotten out of the convertible business in 1976, but limited demand for such vehicles remained. As the U.S. automakers got back into making drop tops of their own again in the 1980s, NCE then shifted their focus to limousines.
The number of these conversions that were produced differs, but the total seems to be somewhere near 500 before the 2nd generation Firebird and Camaro were discontinued in 1981. If you wanted one of these cars, your Pontiac dealer would ask you for an $8,000 upcharge over the price tag of the regular Trans Am, or so it was reported.
We’re told this ’80 Trans Am finished in silver/grey was repainted in the original color by the previous owner who also added a new top. The floors were redone, so that suggests rust was present and the seller isn’t shying away from there still being some in the Firebird. A lack of use over the last year or so has prompted the sale of the car. At 45,000 miles, we assume no work has been done to the 4.6-liter V8 which is turbocharged. The seller is open to trading for another classic car, but we don’t know what would tickle his/her fancy.
Some cars don’t do well with convertible modifications, this is one. Looks awkward but there’s always beauty in somebody else’s eye.
nah this car no matter what they did not good as a vert!!!
Somewhere, someone must have regrets about chopping this top off — destroyed both looks and value. ‘Seemed’ like a good idea at the time?? – No.
4.6 liter V-8???
Remember cowl shake? Pepperidge Farms does…
Cannot imagine a Gen 2 F-body with the entire roof cut off. I had a ‘79 T/A with T-tops that was about as rigid as a wet noodle. Removing the entire roof and rear backlight assembly would destroy what little integrity left in the unit body structure. Plus, it look awful with the piled up roof and can only imagine the water and wind leakage. No thanks at any price.
Maybe you won’t win any autocross events with this Turbo Trans Am……..
But you will definitely look good, out cruising the local scenic locations.
Definitely liking the color combination on this one. I had a Fiero Bronze Metallic 1980 Turbo T/A from 1985 to 1995. Takes a little while for the hair dryer to spool up and get the scenery flying, but once it does, it was a fun ride.
If I had an empty garage and a lottery winnings sized bank account, I would be on this one. There are ways to stiffen up the body flex, to improve the handling.
I owned a 1980 Indy pace car from new to 2009 and sold it to a gent who wanted it more than me after 29 years . In 1980 it seemed like the thing to do , not many cars went past 210 ponies. I kept good care of it , it was nearly pristine even with 87 k on it , garaged and never saw rain let alone snow , here in Ct. Kind of and amusing car to own , some friend liked the darn thing too much for was and others tried not to disparage its lack of guts compared to my 1970 `Cuda 340 4 speed, different animals . However post introduction digression, not one time during the time that I owned that TA did the thought of removing the T TOP architecture and replaced it with a canvas tent crossed my mind. Irrespective of factory issued gut performance most anyone will agree about great factory styling I like hardtops but…Ttops were the rage in the 80s and certainly on the TA …a rag top looks awful, as said by whomever , beauty is in the eye of the beholder , right now my eyes hurts like hell, no offence to anyone meant .
In 1980, you went into the Pontiac dealership and said you wanted a T/A convertible. The salesman says “Yes, we can sell you that option for $8,000”. You think that you might go for it, and then you ask for a picture of the finished product. You proceed to change your mind.
No surprise they sold less than 500.