Pontiac threw a party in 1979, and the guest of honor was its Trans Am. A decade had passed since the iconic pony car first graced showroom floors, and the company thought it was fitting to release a 10th Anniversary model to celebrate. The company rolled 7,500 of these off the line, meaning these cars aren’t particularly rare. However, only 1,817 were equipped with the W72 version of the 400ci V8, teamed with a four-speed T-10 transmission. This is one of those cars that promises much for a new owner. It is original and unmolested, and it isn’t plagued with the rust commonly seen. Therefore, it could be an ideal project candidate for someone who wishes to park a classic from a now departed marque in their garage.

Buyers who walked into their local Pontiac dealership in 1979 intent on driving away in a 10th Anniversary Trans Am could choose from a Platinum Poly and Charcoal paint combination, or…that was it. Like other Special Editions, the company offered a single combination to make these cars stand out. The seller claims this car retains its original paint and doesn’t hide any nasty Bondo surprises. The paint exhibits significant deterioration and the panels sport a few minor bumps and bruises. However, what this car lacks is genuine rust. There is a small section of heavy surface corrosion in the passenger side lower rear quarter panel, but since it hasn’t penetrated the steel, addressing it should be straightforward. Otherwise, the floors, trunk pan, and prone rear valance are as solid as a rock. The distinctive decals are nearly as tired as the paint, but the beautiful “Turbo” wheels should respond to polish. The 10th Anniversary Edition also brought Silver tinted glass panels for the T-Top, which are in good order.

What makes this Trans Am special hides under the hood. Pontiac built 7,500 examples of the 10th Anniversary, but only 1,817 buyers selected the W72 version of the legendary 400ci V8, teamed with a four-speed manual transmission. Power and torque figures of 220hp and 320 ft/lbs were class-leading in 1979, as was the ¼-mile ET of 15.9 seconds. The seller confirms this classic is original and that it runs and drives. It has hibernated for a while, so a thorough inspection and a comprehensive service would be wise before returning it to life on our roads. That is an achievable short-term goal and one that many would find irresistible.

The unique paint wasn’t the only thing that separated the 10th Anniversary Trans Am from mere mortals. Pontiac loaded the interior with almost every option on its list. Buyers received unique Silver leather trim, air conditioning, power windows, power locks, a rear defogger, and a tilt wheel. This car also scored the Delco digital ETR radio/8-track player. The distinctive features are intact, although the seller suggests adding more refrigerant to the A/C so it blows ice-cold. The first port of call with this interior would be performing a deep clean. The seats and other upholstered surfaces don’t exhibit significant wear, although the carpet shows its age. Therefore, spending $250 on a carpet set and a few days of hard graft in a home workshop should lift the presentation significantly

The seller listed this 1979 Trans Am 10th Anniversary Edition here on eBay in Jupiter, Florida. The solitary bid of $15,000 is below the reserve, although there is a BIN option of $25,000. Returning this classic to its former glory shouldn’t be difficult because it won’t involve cutting and welding. However, its ace might be its originality, with its interior retaining critical components that often disappear. This Pontiac could be an excellent starting point if your goal is a faithful restoration.