The seller is this 1974 Pontiac Trans Am’s second owner. They recently revived this classic after a thirty-five-year slumber, confirming that it runs and drives. It requires further tweaking to perform at its best, and its rust-free status makes it a tempting choice as a restoration project. Alternatively, the buyer could preserve the Pontiac as a genuine survivor because it would gain respect when people discover its backstory. The seller has listed the Trans Am here on eBay in Elizabeth, Colorado. They set their price for this classic at $19,995 OBO.
This 1974 Trans Am has an interesting backstory, which includes long-term hibernation. The seller’s stepmother ordered the car, choosing to cloak its exterior in Buccaneer Red with complementary Red and Orange graphics. Apart from a rear quarter-panel replacement for unspecified reasons in the 1980s, it appears to be a genuine survivor. The stepmother parked the car in the seller’s father’s garage in 1991. The seller relocated the Trans Am to their shop in 2018, but has only recently returned the car to its rightful place on our roads. They focused exclusively on a mechanical revival, leaving any cosmetic tasks to the new owner. The paint looks pretty tired, as do the graphics. However, the listing images confirm that this beauty is a dry-climate vehicle with no rust issues requiring attention. A lack of significant bumps and bruises means that the buyer could easily perform a cosmetic restoration while leaving the grinder and welder in the cupboard. I can’t spot any glass issues, and the Trans Am rolls on a set of Honeycomb wheels.
User-friendliness must have been the aim when the first owner ordered this Trans Am. She combined the 400ci V8 with a three-speed Turbo Hydramatic transmission, power steering, and power brakes. Manufacturers were quite coy about quoting engine power and torque figures at this time because both had dropped considerably due to tight emission regulations. Several sources list the 400 as producing 225hp and 330 ft/lbs in 1974, although it is worth noting that these aren’t factory figures. The seller worked through a meticulous revival process after this Pontiac’s extended slumber. They replaced every perishable item, most of the braking system, the water pump, oil pump, fuel pump, timing chain, freeze plugs, and a long list of other items. They state that the car runs and drives and has clocked almost 100 miles since emerging from storage. It will undoubtedly require further tweaking and tuning, but it appears to represent an excellent starting point for the new owner.
This Trans Am’s interior further reflects the first owner’s desire for comfort. She equipped the car with air conditioning, power windows, a tilt wheel, and an AM/FM radio. The seller states that the radio is inoperative and, unsurprisingly, the A/C doesn’t blow cold. The White vinyl seatcovers and the foam beneath have deteriorated to the point where replacement will be needed sooner, rather than later. There are other cosmetic shortcomings, but it is worth noting that the interior is serviceable in its current form. Therefore, any interior remedial work can occur at the buyer’s leisure.
The 1974 model year was a significant one in the Second Generation Firebird’s production life. It would mark the final time the Trans Am would be the lowest-selling variant, although with a record tally of 10,255 vehicles, it was clear that buyers liked the Trans Am. Wind the clock forward fifty-two years, and the situation remains unchanged. This Pontiac has a Watch List tally of sixty-two, which is an impressive figure with almost three weeks left on the seller’s listing. Will that interest translate into sales success? Only time will tell.
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