Hurst Equipped: 1979 Pontiac Trans Am

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When searching for Barn Finds, it is common to find cars left out in the fields to. After all, keeping a car in a garage takes up space and neglected cars can be moved outside next to a house, barn or tree to sit. Sometimes these temporary arrangements become permanent. This 1979 Pontiac Trans Am is listed here on Facebook Marketplace. The car is located in Boerne, Texas which is just west of San Antonio. Pontiac produced the highest number of Trans Ams in 1979. What makes this car unique is that it has Hurst Hatch T-Tops which were only used on the Trans Am from 1976 to mid 1978. Also, it has an aftermarket Hurst shifter that the seller claims is factory. The car is listed for $4,800.

The interior is trashed but does have seats, console and a dash. The interior is a mix of red and black pieces which means it is likely that the console was replaced at some point as was the horn button. It is hard to tell from the seat covers but the door panels indicate that this was a base interior car instead of being optioned with a deluxe interior. The car does not have power windows or tilt steering but did originally have air conditioning. It is hard to tell but I don’t see a radio in the dash. The shifter sticking out of the console is pretty rough but was added at some point because Pontiac only used the factory push button shifter on the 1979 Trans Am with automatic transmissions.

There are two pictures of the engine compartment that indicate that this Trans Am is equipped with the L80 Oldsmobile 403 cubic inch V8 engine which was rated at 185 horsepower and 315 lb ft of torque. It was only available with the Turbo 350 automatic transmission and was considered the base or standard equipment for the 1979 Trans Am. The engine looks like it was modified with the addition of an Edelbrock carburetor and aftermarket air cleaner. That would indicate that the hood scoop is bolted to the hood and is no longer a shaker scoop. Optional engines included the L37 Pontiac 301 cubic inch V8 engine and the W72 Pontiac 400 cubic inch V8 engine. The L37 301 cubic inch V8 engine that was rated at 150 horsepower in 1979 and equipped with a 4 barrel carburetor. The rarest engine in a 1979 Trans Am was the W72 Pontiac 400 cubic inch V8 engine which was rated at 220 horsepower. The W72 engine came only with a 4-speed transmission. The seller states that the engine will run but there is a starter problem. There is surface rust and other debris in the engine compartment.

As can be seen, the black paint is well oxidized and someone added hood pins to the hood. The seller states that the car needs work and the pictures indicate this to be true. The Trans Am is riding on aftermarket wheels. It is interesting that someone added the smaller Hurst Hatch T-Tops unless there is another aftermarket set that look similar. Do you think this car is priced reasonably?

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Comments

  1. Harvey HarveyMember

    Alternator looks good.

    Like 7
  2. Rw

    Reamed out

    Like 0
  3. CCFisher

    I don’t want to be one of those “every car is too expensive because I still think it’s 1986” guys, but this car is too expensive.

    Like 6
  4. Dan

    I have nothing nice to say, so I’ll be quiet. Good luck with the sale.

    Like 8
  5. Robbie R.

    Take it out back and shoot it.

    Regarding the t-tops… Hurst brand t-tops were also one of the more common aftermarket additions that were done by many sunroof/trim shops in larger towns. These are Hurst. American t-tops were similar design and construction, but slightly wider glass toward the center bar.

    Like 0
  6. Johnny Major

    This is a $400 or $500 parts car

    Like 3
  7. Michael Freeman Michael Freeman

    Somewhere someone needs the hatches for a nice one but past that have to pass.

    Like 0
  8. oldroddderMember

    I must agree with Dan, I have nothing constructive to say.

    Like 0
  9. MICHAEL S BELL

    A parts car, $1000 max. Settle for $600.
    Good luck with the sale.

    Like 2
  10. 19sixty5Member

    “Factory Hurst shifter” Yeah…

    Like 2
  11. John Oliveri

    That’s a Mickey Mouse Parts store Hurst shifter, those T Tops were terrible, they do have a program in NY where they sink old subway cars in the ocean for fish, maybe this is a tax deductible way of getting rid of this thing without having to pay to take it away, the Oldsmobile motor is also good for Nautical use, it’s a boat anchor,

    Like 0
  12. oldrodderMember

    This junk yard dog just about couldn’t get any less desirable. Terrible condition, worst engine available that may or may not run, almost for sure leaks, and the list goes on. In my opinion it is not worth the fuel that it would take to take it to the scrap yard.

    Like 1
  13. JohnPMember

    I will say it. 403 olds motor is garbage. Parts car.Its said.

    Like 0

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