The Firebird and Camaro have been around since 1967, and over the years, various special editions have come out, including Indy Pace Car models and anniversary specials. Take this 1994 Pontiac Trans Am convertible, for instance. It’s available on Barn Finds Classifieds, with an asking price of $22,500. You’ll find it in Great Falls, Montana if you come to terms with a buy with the current owner. (Why it has California plates is something you and that party will have to discuss.)
The 25th Anniversary Firebird Trans Am came out in year 27 of the marque’s existence, by my math. Why? Because the T/A package first appeared two model years in. The special 1994 model featured white paint with a single blue stripe down the center, bringing to mind the 1970 T/A. Happily, that blue stripe had a tiny rendition of the famous Firebird “screaming chicken” at its ending point, on the nose. It also had white-painted 16-inch wheels, white leather seats with embossed “25th Trans Am” lettering, and white door trim. The car was available in both as a coupe and a convertible. Two thousand were made in total, just 250 of them convertibles. All anniversary cars were 5.7-liter (350) LT1 V-8s, producing 279-horsepower and 340 pounds-feet of torque, which is what you actually feel when you mash the gas pedal. The convertibles all had automatic transmissions, which is unfortunate for the row-your-own set.
As for the condition of our example car, that’s ensured by the fact that this T/A has always been in the hands of enthusiasts, three owners altogether. It has rolled past just 24,000 miles, going to shows and events, as the current owner would tell the story. The car is rated as in brand new condition on the exterior and with the soft-top a 9. One area you could improve upon is the underhood detailing on this one.
What’s it worth? In 2021 a similar car, but a coupe with 538 miles, set the top price at just under $40K. Others seem to be in the high teens to mid-20s. The miles on this one are low-ish, but not super-low. On the bright side, that means that you can drive it with no guilt about preservation, as long as you keep it up the way its present owners have done. Then when showtime arrives, you get out your big sign, grab the lawn chairs, and watch as people enjoy your historical rarity.
Look at the engine access, any idea how to change the plugs?
I would sell it right before it hits a 100,000 miles and let someone else change them.
t’s not too bad once you jack up & support the front end, then remove the wheels to access the plugs through the wheel well. It is time consuming, but not too difficult. I learned this trick with my Dad’s ’96 Camaro SS LT1.
These are horrible to work on not just engine do a fuel pump you’ll find out.
Intake manifold leaks and the dreaded OptiSpark ignition system should be examined closely….
Yea, the optispark ignition system cleverly placed under the water pump?! Bunch of geniuses in the GM engineering department. I am a GM guy and sometimes I wonder why
We had an issue with the intake manifold leaking and had it fixed. The mechanic said there was a recall in the problem, but I never verified that with GM.
1969 was the first year for the Trans Am. That’s why 1994 is the 25 anniversary year.
This is one of those cars where I start out reading thinking, hey this looks pretty nice.
Then I get to the reader comments about maintenance, and the words of one my favorite TV Dads – Frank Barone comes to mind; “Holy Crap!”