Pat L. sent us the lead on this 1981 Pontiac Trans Am. The car is located in Yucca Valley, California near Palm Springs. The seller is asking a reasonable price of $13,000 and the car is listed here on Craigslist. The seller states that the car is an original survivor with only 67,000 miles on the odometer. The ad states that the values of “Bandit” Trans Ams are going through the roof but this is not a “Bandit” or technically correct Y84 Special Edition. It is a Code 29 Dark Blue Trans Am with a camel deluxe interior.

In 1981, Pontiac changed to a two tone camel interior with a dark brown dash and console while the seats, carpets and door panels were tan. This car is fully loaded with cruise control, T-Tops, automatic transmission, air conditioning, tilt steering and power windows. I can’t be for certain but I believe it still has the factory radio. I own a 1981 SE Turbo Trans Am modified by a company in Kenosha, Wisconsin called TTA Performance. They do engine work on Turbo Trans Ams and sells parts including water injection for these cars so that they can safely build up to 14 psi of boost.

The last year of production for the second generation Trans Am was the 1981 model. Pontiac offered a turbocharged V8 engine based on their 301 cubic inch motor in 1980 and 1981. Pontiac rated the turbocharged 301 cubic inch V8 engine at 200 horsepower and 315 lb ft of torque in 1981. Dyno tests by individuals showed that this rating was optimistic and the cars actually generated only about 170  horsepower. Most likely, Pontiac adjusted the boost down on the production cars which were supposed to have 7 psi of boost. My brother collects Turbo Trans Ams and will probably want to buy this one once he sees it.

This Turbo Trans Am looks stock and is riding on its factory 15×8 wheels indicating the car has WS6 suspension. The seller has rebuilt the carburetor and don some repairs to get the car running well. It does have a dent in the front fender behind the passenger front wheel. The title is labeled as a salvage title so that may be why the car is priced where it is.