This 1979 Pontiac Trans Am looks a bit sad and crusty, but the rust issues seem to be fairly limited and the engine runs, so it might make a pretty reasonable project car. You will find it listed for sale here on eBay. Located in Okahumpka, Florida, it is listed with a clear title. Bidding has opened at $1,000, but if you are the type of person who just has to own this Trans Am, then there is a BIN option set at $2,995.
There are some rust issues that will need to be addressed, but if the photos provided by the seller are any indication, then these don’t appear to be too severe. There is some rust on the lower quarter panel on the passenger side, but this doesn’t appear to be rot-through. Someone seems to have trowelled sealer around the rear window, so I’d like to know what (if anything) is hiding under that. Otherwise, this rust in the rear floor might just be the worst of it. There are no shots of the trunk or the underside of the car, so hopefully, that’s all solid.
The front floors appear to be quite clean. The seller has removed the carpet and seats to allow a clear view. The seats are included in the sale, but judging by the fact that the seller mentions the idea of a new interior, I would be guessing that they aren’t too pretty. Certainly, the glimpses that we get of interior plastic trim indicates some reasonable deterioration.
This shot shows a few dents and dings that will also need to be addressed before the car receives a fresh coat of paint. It appears that the car is mechanically complete and that the 6.6 ltr engine runs. The gas tank will need to be flushed, but the seller states that the car starts and runs on an external fuel source and that the automatic transmission moves forward and backward without hesitation. The brakes are also operational.
If the rust that is shown in the provided photos indicate the full extent of the issues, then this Trans Am is quite solid and honest. If the new owner is lucky, then the full extent of the mechanical work required may only be flushing the fuel system and giving the car a full service. If this is the case then it could represent an opportunity for a budding DIY restorer to take on a reasonable project car.
damn, it’s tough to look at this heap i think it’s worth anymore than a few hundred bucks.
nice wheels though.
I just cannot imagine tackling “major” rust in an old vehicle like this Trans Am.
Yeah… Florida can be a tricky state for rust. Inland is not terrible, but near the coast, there’s so much salt in the air, it can be as bad as the rust belt. I gotta think this one is a parts car. But these cars are becoming pretty hot…
I don’t know if we are looking at the same pictures as you Adam. I have restored 4 second generation Camaros. I wouldn’t put any money in this car. Makes more sense to part out.
This “6.6 Litre”(aka Olds 403) T/A is a parts car. It could be useful in the resto of a “T/A 6.6″(aka Pontiac 400) T/A.
Sad days ahead when you can’t get a project car worth restoring for less than 5K.