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Farmer’s Muscle Car: 1983 Pontiac Trans Am

Some projects really tell the whole story with just one picture. This 1983 Pontiac Trans Am doesn’t need much description – it’s just a dusty, forgotten car that isn’t worth much but has been passed between barns in hopes of finding a forever home. The question is, should it be saved? The seller of this Trans Am doesn’t seem particularly concerned about this Pontiac being brought back to like new condition – they just want it out of their garage. There’s rust, dust, and no clue whether it runs. Should it be saved? Find it here on craigslist in Minnesota with an asking price of $1,000 or best offer.

Oof. This might discourage some of you from going any further, and I can’t say I blame you. The simple truth is, this Trans Am is a Minnesota vehicle, which isn’t known for being kind to vintage sheet metal. The seller notes that between themselves and the previous owner, a local farmer, the Pontiac has been off the road for 20 years. While there’s a chance it was a decent car when it went into storage, it seems unlikely given it has 150,000 miles. It’s not as if this Trans Am was used sparingly before its early retirement. It was someone’s daily driver, which likely means it picked up much of this rust before it entered its long-term slumber. This almost makes its current status more vexing: why hold onto it for so many years?

The interior isn’t in bad shape considering, but it’s still that of an old, forgotten car. The steering wheel looks somewhat tired, and the dust has certainly carried into the interior. The automatic transmission practically guarantees no one is going to try and save this Trans Am, sadly. You have to wonder if the seller really believes there’s a market for a rusty Trans Am with a slushbox – it’s pretty thin, and despite not wanting to see any classic meet an untimely death, this seller may find his best option for moving this Pontiac along is via his local pick-and-pull salvage yard center. Meaning, they will come pick it up for you and take it away, never to be seen again.

Is that what should happen to this Trans Am? It has that sweet hood bulge that makes it look far more muscular than it is, but you’d be forgiven for missing it beneath that thick coating of dust. The hood and the wheels are parts that I would save if it was destined for scrapping, and the blacked-out rear taillight panel looks decent, too. The seller seems realistic that this is a major undertaking and is likely not worth the risk involved,  but at least you have the option to try and save it if a Trans Am of this generation floats your boat and you need to get into it for under $1,000.

Comments

  1. Avatar Brent

    Give Derek at Vice Grip Garage a call on this one. He can get it going again. Would be great to see.

    Like 17
    • Avatar Domenic DAlessandro

      It would be. He loves a challenge.

      Like 3
    • Avatar Troy

      Derek, Vice grip garage moved to Tennessee still would be fun to see him get it going

      Like 0
  2. Avatar 19sixty5 Member

    “Muscle car”, well maybe to a farmer compared to a tractor!

    Like 5
  3. Avatar Bick Banter

    No. The market is saying no. It’s not worth saving. The 145 horsepower 1983 version is probably worth 6 grandfully restored.

    Like 0
  4. Avatar Randy

    I don’t know why they want that garage space so badly — by the looks of things I wouldn’t want to store anything of value in there.

    Might just as well leave it there until it DOES become collectable, and in time it will.

    Like 3
  5. Avatar Troy

    If I was closer I would pull that trigger get it running then sell it for $5000 at the stupid prices people are paying for cars today you will make a profit even if you part it out and crush the rest

    Like 4
  6. Avatar t-bone BOB

    Located in Redwood Falls, MN

    Like 0
  7. Avatar Rob Norman

    pathetic car, should be recycled perhaps?

    Like 1
  8. Avatar Bill McCoskey Member

    Let’s see; not driven for 20 years. looks like it was parked on the street in Manhattan, NYC, almost to the day 20 years ago. Dust is about the same thickness & color.

    Like 4
  9. Avatar Sean

    Might make a good Knight Rider replica donor

    Like 0
  10. Avatar Charles Sawka

    It’ll just dissolve like Alka seltzer in a puddle. Leave it alone.

    Like 0
  11. Avatar EdFiero

    He could probably get a few hundred bucks more if he just washed the car and cleaned up the interior. I don’t get why people can’t spend an hour to clean up a car before posting it for sale.

    Like 0

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