This 1986 Pontiac Trans Am looks the part of a low mileage survivor, with some minor details that need sorting. The listing notes a tick over 25,000 original miles, but based on the seller’s description, it seems like the paper trail may not be sufficient for validating the claim. Regardless, the paint appears to be in excellent condition and there’s little in the way of obvious signs of neglect or abuse. The Trans Am is equipped with a 305 V8 and automatic transmission. You can find it here on eBay with bids approaching $7K and the reserve unmet.
Purely anecdotally, I’ve noticed Camaros and Firebirds of this generation popping up more frequently as someone’s project car or as a nicely restored and/or preserved driver with some period-correct modifications. It’s not unlike the boom of Z31 Nissans that have emerged from the wilderness as a new generation of car collectors starts to appreciate an era of automobiles not typically thought of as being collectible. It’s a good thing, too, as so many of these were lost to cheap owners and poor modifications, and the assumption that good projects would linger in infinite supply.
Fortunately, plenty of well-intentioned enthusiasts socked these cars away when they were new, like the proverbial comic book as owners assumed they would quickly be in short supply and that low mileage specimens would be worth many multiples over the original purchase price. That didn’t happen, as cars like this prove, with their values still quite reasonable for anyone who wishes to get into the Trans Am / Camaro game. The interiors were never anything to write home about, but at least this one remains quite fresh – aside from the headliner that’s falling down and in need of replacement.
The engine bay is another bright spot, with excellent cosmetics and an air cleaner assembly that looks brand new. The same goes for the fluid tanks that usually appear quite weathered and yellowed by now. So, despite the seller mentioning that the title doesn’t confirm the low mileage, the cosmetics seem to speak to a car that’s been used sparingly. As far as the bidding goes, it’s not the most desirable version of a Trans Am money can buy, so I’m not sure how that translates to whether it will clear the reserve price. What’s your guess?
I had a white 86 like this one. Carb and automatic make a really lazy car. This one looks really nice though.
Yeah, the LG4 305 only made 150 horsepower, and with the automatic, 0-60 would take over 9 seconds and the quarter about 17 seconds. Pretty wimpy, even for 1986.
These were much more fun with the TPI 305, though power was down on that motor too this model year due to the “peanut cam.” Still, it’d be a huge upgrade over the LG4.
I like the 3rd Gen F-bodies and I’ve owned two of them. I’d hold out for L98 350, higher horsepower LB9 305 or, if I wanted an earlier car, the L69. But for some bizarre reason, LG4s (and LO3s after 1987) make up the majority of the low mileage well preserved examples. Why this is the case, I’m not sure. Maybe they were more likely to be owned by older owners who used them as second or third cars?
Yes, GM was way behind in the pony car wars in 86. Ford was adding fuel injection, higher compression, true dual exhaust to the GT. An 86 5.0 was around 6.5 seconds 0-60 vs this at 9 seconds. It wasn’t until they started battling back with size with the 5.7 that they got back in the game.
I’d love to have a matching set of this and https://barnfinds.com/low-mile-1986-chevrolet-camaro-iroc-z/
I have owned an 86 WS6 TA for 14 years. I am the second owner of the car. It has the 305 TPI. It has 32K actual documented miles, t-tops, and every option available including the PW7 Cross Laced wheel option. It presents at least as nice as this one. PHS documentation also. I will sell it, if anyone is interested.
Made it to $8,050 but Reserve Not Met.
This is still a great-looking car, even if it doesn’t have all the whistles & bells.
Anything under 10K is a fair price. For some reason, the odom. is probably correct. Inside & out, it doesn’t look like a car that has 125K miles. JMO.
OK, I’m a sucker for red cars….