This 1970 Pontiac Trans Am brought memories flooding back from the moment I saw the seller’s supplied photos. It is a rock-solid classic, but the modifications it features hark back to the late 1970s or 1980s. Those craving originality will be pleased to know they are easily reversible, opening the way for a faithful cosmetic refresh. The Trans Am is listed here on eBay in Oakdale, California. Bidding sits below the reserve at $30,777, with plenty of time for potential buyers to sort their finances before making a play for this classic.
Pontiac introduced its Second Generation Firebird range in 1970, with this car’s original owner ordering it during the first production year. They elected to cloak its panels in Lucerne Blue, with the seller admitting it received a repaint in that shade several decades ago. It holds a pleasing shine, and preserving the exterior largely untouched is a valid option. However, scrutiny of the supplied images reveals minor imperfections that might prompt a partial repaint. One task the new owner won’t face is rust repairs. The car’s original exterior sheetmetal is clean, while the underside shots confirm this classic is as solid as the day it was born. The trim is in good order, and there is no evidence of glass issues. Okay, now let’s focus on the cosmetic upgrades. The molded fender flares have been blended seamlessly into the exterior steel. Many years have passed since the work was completed, and there are no signs of deterioration. That suggests the person performing the work knew what they were doing. Most modern aftermarket wheels focus on increased diameter while retaining the vehicle’s track as close to factory specifications as possible. Enthusiasts during the 1970s and 1980s tended to focus more on the depth of the wheel center, and some aftermarket wheels from that era almost required a pair of binoculars to see the lug nuts! Those bolted to this Trans Am reflect that philosophy but aren’t the most outrageous I have seen. Swapping a set of factory wheels in their place and removing the fender flares are both viable options and will depend on the winning bidder’s desire for authenticity.
This Trans Am’s interior presents as nicely as the exterior. The listing indicates it underwent a retrim around the same time the exterior received its new paint. The lack of wear and physical damage suggests it has been treated respectfully. The driver’s seat base exhibits sight stretching, and there may be dirty marks on the carpet on the same side. However, it is easily acceptable if potential buyers consider this a driver-grade classic. The dash and pad are excellent, the machine-turned gauge fascia is spotless, and there are no signs of crumbling plastic. A retro-style stereo occupies the spot reserved for the factory radio, but that and its associated speakers appear to be the only additions. It seems the original owner focused on outright performance because this interior doesn’t feature creature comforts like air conditioning or power windows.
The seller believes that apart from the carburetor and distributor, this Trans Am retains its numbers-matching drivetrain. The new owner benefits from a 400c Ram-Air III V8, a four-speed M21 manual transmission, and a 12-bolt Posi rear end. Performance cars were riding the crest of a wave when this Pontiac rolled off the line, with the impact of emission regulations yet to be felt in their full force. This V8 produces 345hp and 430 ft/lbs of torque. The journey down the ¼-mile should take 14 seconds, which is undoubtedly impressive for a car that can comfortably seat four adults. The seller states they have spent some significant cash on this Trans Am recently, replacing items like the clutch, pressure plate, flywheel, throw-out bearing, water pump, motor mounts, oil pan and gasket, distributor, plugs and plug wires, upper control arm bushings, tires, battery, battery tray and hold down. It has only clocked a few hundred miles since they completed the work, and they suggest that the Pontiac would benefit from further minor tweaks to perform at its best. However, it appears to be a turnkey proposition that can be enjoyed immediately.
Pontiac produced 48,739 Firebirds across all variants in 1970, although only 3,196 buyers went the extra yard and ordered a Trans Am. That makes this a relatively rare car in a “big picture” sense and one worth returning to its factory form. Regular readers know my preference for that approach, but I will throw a curveball this time. There is something indefinably attractive about this Trans Am as it appears now, and I would be tempted to address its few cosmetic shortcomings while preserving the modifications. Of course, this might also be a case of me reaching a point in life where I crave things from my younger days and am subconsciously trying to rewind the clock. Do you think that is the case, or do you harbor the same feelings?
Nice car. I’d be tempted to narrow the wheels a bit and bring the car down to it’s original height but nothing else. Flares look good and there is no sense keeping this beauty off the road any longer than you have to.
I’m not sure but it may be at stock ride height and wheel wells enlarged, just a thought,cool car regardless.
OH MY MY
wow
🤩
and hey Barn Finds ..
todays Barn Finds is just a cup overflowith of amazing metal
thank you
A California car ordered with no AC, now that is rare :)
The interior seat material is definitely aftermarket, Pontiac did not use that material in their custom-trim option interiors. That would have to change, for my personal taste. You don’t find them with bodies this solid anymore, that’s for sure. Nice TA.
It’s a Bay Area car, AC would have been rare on a performance car of that era. I live in the east bay about half way between Oakland and San Jose, during the summer the high temperature is usually in the mid-70’s the nighttime lows in the low-60’s with no humidity to speak of.
This is a nice car, I’d leave it as is, other than lowering it a bit as Bob Hess suggests. Most of this sort of cars were modified to some extent when relatively new and nowadays get restored to stock in the process wiping away much of what drew a generation to them. There are enough factory restored cars to make cars with period correct (day two) modifications stand out. I hope future owners keep this car pretty much as it sits.
Steve R
Take off the fender flares and, unless you’re doing the body work? Add $5-8k to the cost of ownership. I’d keep them.
I am pretty sure all gen II firebird came with 10 bolt rear diffs, no 12 bolt.
In 1970 all Trans Am’s, Formula’s, SS’s and Z28’s came with 12 bolts. All other second generation F-bodies came with the 8.5” 10 bolt through the end of the production run in 1981.
Steve R
I love it, the slots with fat tires definitely set this one apart from the herd.
Day 2 style1
We love 70-73 Trans Ams in our house and have a few. The 70 won’t bring what a 71-72 would bring and the cool day 2 mods as well as the wrong shade of blue will turn off the collectors at a certain price. Factory wheels alone, if found, will cost a pretty penny. But it definitely makes up for those things by being a numbers matching Lucy Blue 4 speed. As long as the reserve is realistic, someone is gonna get a really cool car.
You can’t go wrong with any Trans Am the older the better.
Love the look of the 70 TAs and with a 4 speed.. It does appear it would need a bit to drive.. The heater hoses aren’t attached from the waterpump to the heater core and core to block?
can anybody say,burning rubber 1-2-3rd gear, wow, what a car! re-living my youth…
fantastic color on this one…..the color and the 4speed checks the right boxes for me, a 455 would be the only thing better than this.
Maybe it’s the tire and wheel size but the height is off for a Trans Am. No need for a jacked up hot rod look for such a beautiful classic Trans Am. It cheapens the car some what to me. Otherwise it’s a very nice classic Trans Am. Just my opinion.
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Very Very Nice TA day 2 mods look great imo! The body work on the flairs looks better than factory screwed on pieces.
The 2nd gen Camaros and Firebirds are my fave.
That said this one looks nice, BUT definitely lose that goofy stripe.
I tried to become a member but l’ve changed my password and don’t know what to do at this point to move forward.
Why would you change the originality of this very collectable Trans Am to wear a bigger tire and wheel? I’m just big on originally and originally is everything with collectors too. But that’s just my opinion.
At least the flares look to be done well. Not the new wide-body way of sticking on matte black plastic ones.
31K with 5 days to go. I’m not up on ’70 T/A pricing, but it seems like the flares have not had much of an effect one way or the other.