I have to apologize upfront for the images used in this post – they’re not great and I did the best with them that I could. This is a fabulous car and needs better pictorial representation – additional images are available from the seller. JO
I did a quick search to see how many 1979 Pontiac Trans Ams we’ve covered on BF and it’s a boat load to say the least. So, sorry to hit you with another but this example, owing to its condition and powerplant, seemed worthy of a review. Some of our coverage has to do with the sheer number of ’79 Trans Ams produced, a record 117K to be precise. But this fine-looking example has a Pontiac engine, something most didn’t have in ’79. Upon further review, we learn this supposedly rare (according to the seller) Atlantis Blue example is located in Crystal Lake, Illinois and is available, here on eBay for a current bid of $21,000 with the reserve not yet met.
I’ll admit it, I’m no Pontiac expert and was always amazed, back in the day that the differences between Pontiacs and Chevrolets were as substantial as they were. In my hooning years, I had friends with GTOs, one with a ’66, another with a ’64, and two different suspects with ’68s (one had a 428 and ran like a scalded dog!). The closest to a second-gen Trans Am that I ever got was a ’77 Camaro Z28 and it was a t*rd. I’ve never favored the ’79-’81 Firebird/Trans Am nose piece styling, but considering their sales volume, I’m in the minority. I have also learned that most ’79 Trans Ams were powered by Oldsmobile engines and only 8,600 to 8,800 (according to Hemmings), of that 117K total, were powered by Pontiac 400 CI engines, all leftovers from ’78 – and those are the preferred versions.
Let’s talk about that engine for a moment, it was known as RPO L78, generated 220 net HP, and was only available with a four-speed manual transmission. The included documentation states that it was a $90 option! We’re told that this 25K mile example was never a daily driver and it has been meticulously maintained. Also, the clutch was replaced recently. One thing not mentioned is how it runs and drives, regardless, I can’t imagine that there’s an issue of any kind.
Look at that hood – no screaming chicken, there’s just this minuscule one on the C-pillar. The hood bird is not missing, the car was ordered without that famous Trans Am trademark. We’re told that this finish, in its rare hue, is 85% original and it all looks great – at least what I can tell, the listing’s exterior images are poor, they’re mostly snippets. No worries though, the seller has additional images available if an inquiry is made. I will admit that I like the decal-less hood even if its absence makes this T/A look less like a T/A.
The interior is in remarkable condition even if it has only experienced 25K miles of use – 44 years of age can work against the material integrity of any car’s upholstery and interior fittings. Anyway, that light shade of blue will be sure to show every fingerprint and spec of unwanted whatever – especially the carpet even if floor mats are in place, and that’s clearly not the case. I have to say that the seats used in Trans Am’s of this generation are fantastic – nice quality pieces!
This is a beautiful piece of cake but I don’t know how you can have it and drive it too – what a conundrum. But, if you’re a collector, this Trans Am is certainly one to collect, wouldn’t you agree?
The word powerful and 79 is about as oxymoron as jumbo shrimp. No such thing as a “muscle car” in this era
No these cars were not fast compared to todays hotrods and the 60’s era cars. But, they are one of the best handling and driving American made cars you can get. The old muscle cars had so much play in the steering it was annoying. These cars with the WS6 package actually would handle a curve. I owned a 79 Formula for years and have had multiple 2nd, 3rd and one 4th gen and while they weren’t terribly fast (actually the 4th gen was fast), they were exceptionally fun to drive. The 4 wheel disc brakes that came with the package added to the drivability and fun. You can certainly make them go fast with some aftermarket goodies if that’s your desire, but I thoroughly enjoyed my 79 for just shy of 200K miles and it was bone stock.
Fair comment John. My 79 had the Poncho 400 and 4 speed. The motor had however been “massaged” … it was an absolute torque monster and whole lot of kick in the pants fun.
Car n Driver 1979 Trans Am WS6
The V-8 hustles its 3700-pound load through the quarter in 15.3 seconds at 96.6 mph,0 to 60 coming up in 6.7 seconds.
Compare that with the “legendary” 71 Chevelle SS 454 LS6
0 to 60 in 7 seconds flat and 1/4 mile is 14.7 seconds.
Hardly a butt whipping from a “real muscle car” lol
Give the 79 and exhaust system that performed and a better induction I think you’ll find they run equal.
Actually, the LS6 was ’70 only, not ’71. The LS6 generated 450 gross HP, whereas the ’71s LS5, the top option, was good for 365 gross HP. I still have a Car Craft Magazine from November of ’69 that reported, from their own test, that the ’70 LS6’s quarter mile dash took 13.12 seconds – it was only bested by a ’70 Hemi ‘Cuda. If I can find it, I’ll scan it and upload it.
JO
That was a specially prepared ringer that no other magazine could touch. MOTOR TREND tested a 1979 Formula with the same engine. It ran a 16.9 second at 82 MPH quarter. Put a bone stock ’79 T/A 6.6 bird on an inertia chassis dyno and you’ll see 180 HP or so at the rear wheels – not nearly enough to match the C&D road test given this vehicle’s weight.
https://www.chevelles.com/attachments/1970-motor-trend-w30-ls6-jpg.361897/
There’s no doubt in my mind that Chevrolet produced a 1971 LS-6 Chevelle. The first major fact is that Tonawanda records show 14 engines being shipped with suffix codes. 10 were intended for TH400 application and 4 additional units were intended for 4-speed applications. This is also in Alan Colvin’s books. The other major clue is the existence of 1971-dated #026 open-chamber cylinder heads. Now it could be argued that #026’s were intended for the popular crate LS-6’s but I’ve seen several 1972-dated crate LS-6’s that were still using the #291 closed-chamber heads. Heck, these 1972 crate LS-6’s were even stamped with the TH400 code of “CRR” on the front deck but that’s a discussion for another day. Anyway, that’s my presentation to the jury for the existence of the much-elusive 1971 LS-6 Chevelle and these are valid points. I’m sure one of these 14 cars will surface one day if it hasn’t already. Maybe some collector has one stashed away in his collection
Supposedly there were a few ’71 LS-6 equipped El Caminos produced with the 425 HP version of the engine (the early version of the sales brochure (attached) lists it but not the passenger car brochure). I’ve never encountered one in a passenger body car, or a Camino for that matter, and I’ve been looking since ’71.
JO
Had to be one of the very best cars available for 1979. Fantastic T/A 400 4spd. Air conditioning too 🏁
These have started to look really nice to me. I love the color, the wheels, and the 4 speed!
I own a 1980 turbo matching numbers. I just love that car, fun to drive, but of course not a race car.
This TA looks beautiful in this color and without the screaming chicken it looks so clean. Perfect drivetrain combo. This is close to a museum piece. The reserve must be high.. $30,000? This has factory parts on it. With low mileage and while care for. Here’s the big question. Do you drive it during the week or just on weekends.. or park it in your living room!! 😂
Clutch pedal and brake pedal seem odd. I had a Formula around this year with a 4 spd. I thought the pedals matched.
Was wondering the same thing!
Actually no, the clutch in the 2nd generation F bodies was slightly smaller (narrower) and with the custom trim group (deluxe interior) the were bright trimmed. This one is missing the clutch pedal trim. Look at the 1978 or 1979 brochure’s interior photos.
Wow I had a 1980 Trans Am in burgundy with red velour interior. I miss that car terribly. The problem with it was the transmission. I had to replace it three times. That’s why I got rid of it. The car was always a crowd pleaser though. I sold the car in one day and the kid who bought it totaled it out in less than six months!
I almost bought one of these brand new back in ’79. Black exterior, tan interior, no bird on the hood, WS6 suspension and 3 pedals. Beautiful car, but I bought my first Corvette instead. Strangely enough, I still think about that T/A, “the road not taken”….
I worked at a Pontiac dealership when the silver anniversary T/A came out each dealer got 2 and one guy bought both of them. He was going to keep them in climate control storage for his son when he grew up I asked him how old his son was and he said 2 months old and he would get them when he turned 18. I don’t know how that turned out but what a lucky kid but he’s probably a Honda kid who knows
Great to see cars like this still around. Some say the flame had died, others that it burned brighter than ever. Instead of selling a few thousand they sold tens of thousands. Being the only game in town helped GM practically print money. Being in the business I’m a bit envious of the $1500 margin. You’re lucky to have that on some $50G cars today.
Not with all the “advantage”, “lifetime warranty”, and a dozen other “fees” stealerships shove down your throat.
I like the colors. No screaming chicken bird hood decal? Automatic 20k off the asking price.
These ’79’s Trans Am’s were so popular that Sammy Hagar wrote a song and named his 1979 record album release after them.
“My 6.6, gets a little too heavy. For a big boss Ford, or a 350 Chevy!”