The seller claims that this 1979 Pontiac Trans Am is a former show car. It has undergone a few significant changes during its life, including a color change and an update to the engine under the hood. It is a turnkey proposition that presents well. Adding to its attraction, the seller has listed it with No Reserve. That must make it worth a close look.
Regular readers know that I am strongly drawn to classics wearing a Blue Oval badge, although I admit a strong liking for the First and Second Generation Firebird range. I am aware that those cars share much with their Camaro cousins, but the Pontiac possesses an attraction to me that I have never been able to fully explain. The seller claims that this 1979 Trans Am is a former show car that they purchased approximately a year ago. A previous owner performed a color change from its factory shade of Code 75 Red, and I assume that was part of the process of preparing the car for show duties. It presents well, with the paint shining nicely, and the panels showing no evidence of significant bumps or bruises. However, (and isn’t there always one of those?) the photos seem to reveal rust bubbles developing in the hood’s leading edge. This doesn’t rate a mention in the listing, and the fact that the bubbles appear to be visible from several angles suggests it isn’t an optical illusion. The seller appears approachable, and asking that question might be worthwhile before committing the funds to this purchase. The front spoiler wears an anti-chip coating below the paint, which probably isn’t a bad move. The trim and glass are in good order, and the aftermarket Snowflake wheels are spotless.
It is no secret that engine power dropped significantly during the 1970s as manufacturers fought to meet ever-tightening emission regulations. The VIN confirms that this Trans Am rolled off the line powered by the 403ci “Olds” V8 that delivered 185hp and 315 ft/lbs of torque. Teamed with a three-speed automatic transmission, it allowed the Pontiac to cover the ¼-mile in a relatively sedate 16.6 seconds. Many enthusiasts believed that cars of this caliber should have been capable of better figures, and if the seller’s description is accurate, that will be the case. They claim the 403 made way for a legendary SD-455 that should deliver at least 290hp and 395 ft/lbs of torque. However, I am not convinced that this is all the seller claims. I am happy to be corrected if I’m wrong, but that V8 still looks like an Olds to me. The casting number seems to suggest it is a 455 of 1968 to 1971 vintage, although its specifications are unclear. What seems apparent is that the new owner will have more power and torque at their disposal than would have been available when the car rolled off the line. The seller recently replaced the wheels, tires, carburetor, shocks, and exhaust. The Trans Am runs and drives well, ready for classic cruising with a new owner behind the wheel.
The Trans Am’s interior is generally tidy, with no significant flaws or defects visible on the Red vinyl. The wheel has some paint deterioration on the base and the installation of the CD player isn’t the neatest on the planet. However, the overall condition is acceptable for a driver-grade classic. It isn’t loaded with factory options, and it appears that many of the engine bay components for the air conditioning are AWOL.
The longer I look at this 1979 Pontiac Trans Am, the more I understand why it has generated significant buyer interest. It has received twenty-three bids since the seller listed it here on eBay in Trenton, New Jersey. That action has pushed the price to $10,900, and with No Reserve in play, it is only days away from finding a new home. The only question marks for me are the potential rust developing in the hood’s leading edge and the matter of the V8 under the hood. The seller appears willing to supply additional photos, and I would be inclined to accept that invitation. It would be nice to receive close-up images of the hood and the underside to ensure there are no further issues that could cause long-term nightmares. I would also like some clarification on the engine because that could impact the car’s potential value. Do you agree?
You are right, it has an Oldsmobile engine. As for his mileage claim, I’d believe it has 36,996 original miles as much as I believe the engine is a 455SD. This has all the earmarks of a car that’s had a lot of hands touching it, all looking for an inexpensive way to get things done.
If someone is truly interested, they need to put their eyes on it for a thorough inspection.
Steve R
If memory is correct the SD wouldn’t have the oil fill in that spot.
Pontiac V8 engines also have 4 bolts per valve cover, Oldsmobile V8’s have 10, that’s the quickest giveaway when looking at a late-70’s Trans Am.
Steve R
From reading thru this write up at a glance….I’d want more accurate info, see it in person. Back in its day…like expensive no go, all show over priced Firebird. Whats wrong with it ? If seller had it only one yr and wants to flip it. After 1st gen Firebirds / Camaros a friend refereed to them as looking like a fake plastic hotdog.
Love the colour,it’s like a brandywine.A comment on something mentioned in the overview..I’m a Ford guy and alot of my pals are also and i run a pretty large Ford group on FB.AND…i discovered something..a LOT of us Ford guys like Pontiacs,myself being particular to 69/70 Grand Prix’s and malaise LeMans family,might be off topic but found it funny you said you are a Ford guy but like the Trans Ams.
You should always be leary when someone who is also selling $5 used cds and dvds tells you their car has one of the most desirable engines of the era. Clearly not their forte.
Love the color change. But putting decals on your shaker hood scoop doesn’t make it a Super Duty.
It’s amazing that someone could add oversized, aftermarket wheels, and still it looks like a golf cart with all that empty space around the tires.
For sure this is a car that needs to be put on a lift. But the price reflects the car right now. If it had a SD-455 the engine would be worth more then the car.
The seller posted an addendum showing that the block number corresponds to a plain old 455.
I love Fords, but count me among those “Ford guys” who also not only have owned a couple Trans Ams, but wouldn’t mind another!
Those aftermarket rims gotta go. Those low profile tires look like a south of the border style addition. Much like these 4×4 pickup trucks with the 22″ rims offset that stick out 10″s+ outside the fenders, hideous!!
I’d opt for a set of 15×8 Cragar S/S rears & 15×7’s up front for the classic look over those rims. The chrome will help bring that color out as well.
Olds 455 maybe? Buyer beware! Seller not exactly truthful here, or not really knowing what he is selling.
Yeah for sure it’s an Olds 455 from the casting number, oil filler tube at the front of the engine and 10 valve cover bolts. Pontiacs I think have 4 valve cover bolts.
As nice as that car is, I would be super uncomfortable driving that car with the SD-455 stickers on the shaker. The SD-455 is legendary.
At least one crack in the dash, rusting hood, paint looks ok because of the way the pics were taken but I would hazard a guess that in full sunlight it will not look that good. Dubious engine claim… well its up over $11k so some folks don’t care. Good luck to them.
I contacted the eBay seller and the seller was nice about it and added a clarification regarding the engine to the description. It’s just good policy to be transparent.
Its an Olds 455 which is not all bad. It’s a bolt in from a 403 with only ac brackets requiring modifications for the taller block. I’m running a 455 in my 68 442 and it features aluminum heads, roller rockers, hyd roller cam, torquer intake, hooker headers with 2-1/2” dia pipes with an X tube, 10.5:1 cr. Runs very well. These came with Nodular iron cranks and forged con rods from the factory. No need to rev it past 5500 to smoke the tires. I would give it an ok if the body is good!
My grandmother had a 1966 Olds Delta 88 with the 455 & I always thought that was cool once I started paying attention to cars/engines. Of course she never really drove above the speed limit!!
Yes it is an Old’s engine. A SD455 Pontiac engine would be very expensive. The last time I saw a complete SD455 engine for sale, it was over 10 years ago and even then it sold for 25K. I installed a SD455 in my 4spd 79 TATA, which replaced the original 400 engine.