The first year the Trans Am was introduced, it was only available in one color. By 1981, the last year for a Trans Am with a Pontiac engine, the Trans Am was available in multiple colors including white, silver, black, blue, yellow, gold, orange, brown, red, charcoal and maroon. This 1981 Pontiac Turbo Trans Am left the factory in Code 77 Dark Maroon Metallic. The car is located in Oakdale, California and is listed here on eBay with 2 days remaining in the auction. The car is currently bid to $19,600 which is getting really close to the $21,500 Buy It Now Price. All 1981 Trans Ams had a bird emblem on the rear tail light which prior years did not.

The car is equipped with a black deluxe interior which came with upgraded seats and door panels. The car has lots of options including power windows, tilt steering, air conditioning, T-Tops and cruise control.  All turbo 301 cubic inch V8 engines were backed by a GM Turbo 350 automatic transmission and a 3.08 rear gear. This car is equipped with the WS6 Performance Handling Package which included 4 wheel disc brakes, bigger sway bars, 15×8 wheels and improved power steering turning ratios.

Pontiac made a big splash in 1980 by introducing its first turbocharges V8. It was available only in the 1980-1981 Firebird Trans Am and Formula and the turbocharged V8 engine was designated LU8. The turbo 301 cubic inch V8 engine (4.9 liter) was rated at 210 horsepower in 1980 and 200 horsepower in 1981. The LU8 was equipped with a Garrett TB305 turbo and a Rochester Quadrajet 4-barrel carburetor. While the horsepower and and torque were comparable to prior years, the road tests showed the car was much slower.

The quarter mile times were 1.5 seconds to 2.0 seconds slower than the 1979 W72 equipped Trans Am. Part of the reason for this was that the turbo motor did not generate its peak horsepower and torque numbers until higher RPMs. Further testing of the engine would show that it really only generated about 170 horsepower in stock condition. TTA Performance in Kenosha, Wisconsin makes performance parts that perk these cars up and make them respectable and much more fun to drive.