Clean third-generation examples of the Firebird and Camaro have begun to rise from the ashes of the 80s, and while there are still a lot of wasted examples out there, it’s clear the nicest ones are commanding strong interest. This 1987 Pontiac Trans Am wears the very period-correct two-tone paint scheme that GM was seemingly slapping on everything it sold, and the red over gray combo looks to be in excellent condition. The seller claims it’s never been damaged or otherwise abused, and mileage is reasonable at 65,000. Find the Trans Am listed  here on craigslist for $21,500 near St. Louis.

Thanks to Barn Finds reader T.J. for the find. The Trans Am comes with the preferred 5.7L “Tuned Port Injection” engine. I say preferred because it can make a vehicle that is now considered historic in many states still feel somewhat modern when you can fire it up in the dead of winter with just a simple twist of the key. Now, I’m not an anti-carb guy – I actually wish I had at least one carbureted vehicle in the fleet at the moment – but there comes a time where you really do appreciate classic carsthat can just fire up with one bump on the key. Those opinions notwithstanding, this Pontiac is very clean under the hood, and the only detail that stands out is how much shinier the paint is on the rad support area versus elsewhere on the car.

The interior is in excellent condition as well. It’s not necessarily sexy, and I’d be sure to scan the Firebird and Trans Am classifieds to try and find a pair of the OEM Recaro buckets to swap in. Still, you’d expect for a car that’s seen any level of use that the vinyl inserts would at least appear worn out, but I see no such issues here – the material is seemingly in excellent condition. It’s interesting: the two-tone theme from the exterior very clearly carries over to the cockpit with those half-vinyl, half-cloth buckets. The center console doesn’t show any excessive wear and tear, and the same goes for the door panels. A lot can happen in 65,000 miles, but it’s clear the previous owner made a commitment to keeping his Trans Am in excellent condition.

The blacked-out taillights and BBS-style black mesh wheels are two of my favorite cosmetic features of the Trans Am from this era. The wheels in particular just transform the car. With no obvious flaws in the photos, we’re inclined to take the seller at his word that this modern Pontiac muscle car has led a sheltered existence. The asking price is interesting: I don’t think he’s wrong to ask for that kind of money, but I also don’t think your typical third-gen buyer is going to cough up $22K for a car they know they can get for far less if they accept some cosmetic flaws in a cheaper example. Would you pay top dollar for a car like this or opt for a lower-priced project?