This 1980 Pontiac Trans Am Indy Pace Car may look like it was just discovered, but the seller has owned it for the last six years after acquiring it from the original owner. Interestingly, that first owner won the Pontiac in a raffle drawing and evidently used the winnings as a driver, as the car accumulated over 80,000 miles in their possession. Looking quite tired cosmetically and currently not running, this forlorn Pace Car will need lots of love – but some decent spares are included. Find it here on eBay for $5K or best offer.
The body is just plain tired all over, with surface rust bubbling in places and the paint looking flat from front to back. The factory spoilers and body kit are at least intact, which includes the spats in front of the rear wheels and attached to the front valence (I call them spats, you may refer to them by a different name). The glass looks good and the T-Top panel also appears sound, though no word on whether any seals have failed and allowed moisture to ravage the interior. With the Trans Am being in Florida, it’s a question worth asking.
The awesome finned Turbo wheels are stored in the trunk, and I can almost guarantee this car would get closer to its asking price if the seller showed it mounted on these instead of the junkyard spares / steelies it’s currently parked on. There’s lots of detritus sitting in the channel along the trunk opening, which indicates at least a few months of being parked outside and uncovered. The interior of the trunk looks quite messy, and interior photos also show a cabin in need of extensive refurbishment.
The seller does have some decent spares, including what may be an upholstery kit and a replacement hood with scoop (the latter was unfortunately dented during shipment). The seller admits he never attempted to get the Trans Am running, which puts the risk on the next owner that this turbocharged Pace Car will fire up again. Production of these cars was limited, but that hasn’t translated into high levels of desirability; if the seller is open to a realistic best offer, this one may be worth saving for a lower initial buy-in price.
All I can say is what can you expect for 5K or offer.
What Happened to this car ? The Family of the lady who won this car wants to buy it back , can you help me ?
Rust bubbling up through the paint isn’t surface rust. Surface rust is something that can be cleaned up in a couple of passes with steel
wool or 400 grit sand paper.
This car is rough, I don’t know how strong the market is for pace car replicas, but I’d consider it a parts car.
Steve R
YES! Finally someone else who know what “surface rust” is! I get so sick of people calling serious rust spots “surface rust”. Just wait til you start grinding on it, then you’ll see!
Man this car looks dreary and awful like this.
You guys throw in the towel pretty easily. This car is needing some rust work no doubt but after some of the basket cases I’ve been involved with this looks like a walk in the park. I can’t see through any of the panels, just the windows. The floor might not even be rusted out. The car is complete. Ever hear of Evaporust or CLR or Pinesol? Those are all easy to use non-lethal chemicals that deal with rust pretty effectively. It’s a southern car so the block is likely fine. Everything here looks like it needs to be fixed not restored. A wash and some Autosol and another wash, the correct wheels and tires put back on would make the car respectable. Send the seats to the upholstery shop, dash Just Dashes and it’s looking good. Go through the mechanicals and repair as needed and you’re off to the races. This car isn’ t a restoration candidate yet but there’s no reason not to re-instate its daily driver status.
I’m asking as I’ve never heard of this. What does Pinesol do to/for rust? Serious question as I have it in my cleaning supplies already but have not heard it used for rust treatment or prevention or whatever of any sort. I have used a Rustoleum paint that encapsulates and supposedly hardens rust to keep it from spreading. Good results with that so far.
Gotta say I was thrilled when I saw the turbine wheels in the trunk. I love these cars, even in this deplorable condition. I’d pony up the five grand in a heartbeat except I’d have to pony up a whole lot more in the ensuing divorce.
Somebody, anybody, please save this car.
6yrs with the window open, yep interior reflects that. Imagine any kind of electrical switch would be pooched with that moist salty air. Pictures would slam dunk this deal, like engine bay, undercarriage, I imagine the hood was sourced because that front edge is rotten on the car one. Saving grace, rust proofing so maybe car still has door bottoms and some floors. It is what it is. And it’s not for everyone. If this was tinder it would be a swipe left.
MIGHT offer $500.00 but that’d be tops.
Olds rallye wheels are considered junkyard rims? Come on now
Well, at least its panel fit is better than that gold $89,000 one.
I wouldn’t have accepted that hood if it was ordered and shipped in that condition which I’m sure cost a pretty penny…5k for a rusty non running turbo TA
don’t think so!
Also why would you buy a new hood
Before you got it running.hmmmm.
Getting that engine to fire up would have been #1 on my list!
Based on the rusty pattern on the hood…
The engine bay has already been “Fired Up”. Looks like a burned one to me.
Agree…. and it’s weird that there are no pics inside the engine compartment.
I think a person would be better to put 10,000 dollars with the 5,000 and buy a good car. Even if you had a shop and ability and wanted to work for 10 cents a hour why would you ?
Looks bad enough here, but wait till u go to the ad! ( u can enlarge the pics) I can say I hope someone will rescue it, but not for $5K, and it will take big bucks
Rusty Jones’ insuarnce carrier filed for bankruptcy. I guess too many cars turned out like this one… still not a bad car for a hobbie.
I worked with a guy who bought one brand new. Fugliest Trans Am/Firebird ever made. IMHO the white wheels looked like S***. But, that’s just my opinion.
My bro had a 80 pace car or pace crap as we called it. Two motors and three turbos make you understand the name given. Not to mention it was not fast.
I’ve commented before about 4.9L being complete garbage and was villianized. I guess we remember these turds.
With the front bumper cover grilles missing, it looks like it’s trying to put on a sad, desperate smile,lol!
Inside of the trunk looks wet. These had a common rear glass water leak history (not to mention the T-tops). A very close look over is needed before getting serious.