When it comes to third-generation Pontiac Firebirds, the market hasn’t exactly exploded in terms of rising values. While we have seen a few survivor-grade Camaros with three pedals hit big numbers, it’s far from certain that these cars are poised for greatness. However, when equipped with the right options and found in clean condition, there’s never a shortage of bidders willing to pay. This 1986 Pontiac Trans Am is equipped with both the Recaro and WS6 performance packages and is listed here on eBay with bids to $13,100 and no reserve.
This example has plenty going for it beyond the desirable packages. First of all, it’s incredibly well-preserved for a car with 116,000 miles on the clock. You look at it and it seems almost a given that it’s a time-capsule example socked away when new owing to its desirable options, but no – this car has been driven. And when you see that kind of mileage paired with impeccable condition, it certainly speaks to the care the original owner took in using his Trans Am with some regularity without letting it become a tired daily driver.
The color scheme on this Trans Am is quite handsome, and the seller notes the official color code is “Midnight Russet Metallic,” or more simply, brown. The two-tone brown and gold combo looks sharp, especially when paired with the gold-painted Turbo wheels. The real attraction (for me, anyway) is the Recaro interior option, which gave buyers a gorgeous set of buckets clad in fabric that complimented the exterior paint job. These seats are in phenomenal condition and appear to be in excellent condition.
Of course, this Trans Am is not solely about cosmetic upgrades. Checking the box for the WS6 package got the first owner upgraded suspension hardware, quicker ratio steering, and four-wheel disc brakes. The horsepower didn’t change but the handling certainly did, and combined with the upgraded interior accommodations, this Trans Am is possibly one of the best optioned examples available for sale today – which is likely why we see such strong bidding at the moment, with plenty of room left for the price to go higher.
Did the pkg include a livelier ring and pinion gear ⚙️
Cool 😎 cars, classic T/A colors.
I don’t care what anyone thinks I loved these cars along with the Camaro IROC I had the 87’IROC it wasn’t fast but fast enough and just a good looking car. Drove it from Vegas to Wisconsin wasn’t bad at all on the road.
Engine ?
305ci equipped i believe Torino. Don’t think these came w 350s 🤔
Not until ’87 in the GTA.
The comment below is correct about getting the 350 (5.7) in 87’
My IROC had the 350’ but a little more horsepower and torque than the GTA. I believe there was 2 choices for both cars the 305’ or 350’ and the base model Camaro and Firebirds got a 2.8 6cyl. In 84’ you could get a Camaro with a 4-cyl. lol A guy I know had one funniest thing I ever saw. Looked like a birdcage under the hood
It’s the lo-po LB9 305 Tuned Port Injection. When it came out in 1985, it had 205 horsepower in the Firebird application and used the L69 cam. In 1986, for some reason, they put the mild LG4 cam, commonly known as the “peanut cam”, in it, and it only made 190 horsepower.
For this reason, the 1986s are considered the least desirable of the TPI era cars. But it didn’t seem to hurt here! Over 13k for a higher mile brown peanut cam T/A. Incredible!
In 1987, the L98 TPI 350 came out, along with the high performance LB9 in manual cars.
At first glance I assumed black. I didn’t know about this color. Almost unbelievably clean. GLWTA
You know times are crazy when the brown, peanut cammed, 115k mile Trans Ams are fetching nearly 15k. Wow! I sold my black 65k mile G92 Z28 5-speed about 9 years ago for 8 grand, and was pretty proud of my sales skills. I’m sorry but I just don’t think this is going to hold up.
These ’86 T/A’s are sharp lookers.
A buddy of mine had one in this Midnight Russet color and another had one in Russet – kind of an orangy light brown.
Had an 85 almost identically equipped but in black. Those Recaro seats were among the best I’ve ever had in a car and make a huge difference on road trips. Can’t say I recall seeing one in this color, even back in 86.