It is that time of year when many people’s thoughts turn to celebrations. Family Christmas get-togethers, Christmas parties, and New Year festivities are the order of the day. Pontiac threw its own party in 1979, and the Trans Am was the guest of honor. A decade had passed since the first Trans Am graced showroom floors, and the company released a 10th Anniversary Edition to mark the occasion. This Trans Am is a tidy one-owner survivor with minor cosmetic shortcomings, leaving scope for visual improvement for those considering a DIY approach. The listing indicates that it must sell, suggesting that the seller may be keen to negotiate. I must say a big thank you to Barn Finder Mitchell G. for spotting this Pontiac listed here on eBay in Santa Ana, California. The seller set their BIN at $23,700 with the option to make an offer.

Pontiac aimed to make the 10th Anniversary Trans Am stand out, electing to finish all cars in a stunning combination of Code 15 Platinum Silver and Code 16 Gray. By adding 15-inch “Turbo” wheels and a mirrored-glass T-Top as standard equipment, it guaranteed this version would command plenty of attention on the street. This Trans Am is a one-owner survivor that presents quite well for its age. Close inspection reveals minor paint imperfections, but the fact that it hasn’t become severely patchy or developed a matte appearance suggests the seller has done their best to protect the car from long-term UV exposure, which often exacts a high toll on this paint shade. There are no visible dings or dents, and the lack of apparent rust is unsurprising considering this Pontiac’s location. Some wheels are missing their center caps, although the wheels themselves are in good order. The glass is clear, and the rear window louver is a period-correct touch that will appeal to many.

Pontiac didn’t hold back when developing the Trans Am 10th Anniversary, loading its interior with almost everything in its Toy Box. Buyers received air conditioning, power windows, power locks, cruise control (except on manual-transmission models), a tilt wheel, a rear defogger, and unique Silver leather trim. This car also scores the optional AM radio/8-track player, and its presence is a victory since many have disappeared over the years. There are no visible aftermarket additions, but the exterior theme continues inside this classic. The seats are in good condition, with no significant shortcomings. The same is true of the dash and pad, further reinforcing my belief that this Pontiac hasn’t spent long periods in the blazing sun. However, the carpet along the outer edges shows wear and dirt marks, the wheel exhibits discoloring, and the door trims are beginning to warp and fail. The buyer may need to swallow hard in their quest for perfection, because while replacement door trims are available, they typically cost over $700 per pair. The wheel may not be so challenging, because I think it would respond favorably to attention with appropriate dye and a treatment compound.

Buyers ordering a ’79 Trans Am 10th Anniversary Edition could choose from two engines to power their new purchase. Only 1,817 buyers selected the company’s iconic 400ci V8, teamed with a four-speed manual transmission. The remaining 5,683 drove away with the “Olds” 403ci V8 under the hood. Ordering the 403 brought no manual option, with buyers receiving a three-speed Hydramatic transmission and power-assisted steering and brakes. There is plenty of good news for potential buyers, because this classic is in excellent mechanical condition. The listing indicates a potential odometer reading of 67,000 miles without mentioning verifying evidence. However, the car runs and drives beautifully, allowing the buyer to fly in and drive it home.

Pontiac was onto a winner with its 1979 Trans Am 10th Anniversary, easily finding buyers for the 7,500 examples that rolled off the line. Good examples are highly sought, although it is worth noting that those with the Olds V8 under the hood command a significantly lower value than cars featuring the company’s 400ci V8. The market hasn’t treated those examples kindly during 2025, with “Olds” variant prices dropping by around 6% across the board. The situation has stabilized, but we can only speculate whether that is the first sign of a market rebound. The seller’s BIN is probably realistic, but the situation could be significantly better if they are flexible when negotiating. With that thought in mind, what would you be prepared to pay for this Trans Am?