Street Or Strip: 1979 Pontiac Trans Am

This heavily modified 1979 Pontiac Trans Am is for sale here on Hemmings.com. It is listed for $31,500 and is located in sunny Gainesville, Florida. While the second-generation F-body styling remains unmistakably intact, the original powerplant has been replaced by a monstrous 463-cubic-inch Pontiac stroker V8. Built with forged internals and high-flowing Kauffman aluminum heads, this engine breathes through a Holley Brawler carburetor sitting on a Northwind aluminum intake manifold. Spark is managed by a Progression Ignition HEI distributor, while Hedman Husler 1 7/8-inch headers feed a massive 3-inch dual exhaust system integrated with a Dr. Gas X-pipe and Dynomax Ultra Flow mufflers. The seller states that it will run 10 second quarter miles but is still streetable. As always, appreciate our friend, PRA4SNW, for sending us this listing.

Getting that massive torque to the pavement requires a bulletproof drivetrain, and no corners were cut here. The three-speed GM Turbo 350 automatic transmission has been custom-built by  transmission specialist Chip Rollins. Power travels through a lightweight 3.5-inch aluminum driveshaft with heavy-duty 1350 U-joints and a Moser pinion yoke, sending muscle to an 8.5-inch rear axle. Inside, an Eaton Detroit Truetrac limited-slip differential paired with 3.73:1 gears, a Strange 30-spline axle package, and C-clip eliminators ensure both rear tires dig in equally. On the chassis side, the Trans Am’s suspension has been radically upgraded to handle modern drag racing duties. Up front, a set of 90/10 drag shocks allows the nose to lift and transfer weight, while Viking double-adjustable shocks out back dial in the launch. Assassin traction bars and subframe connectors keep the unibody rigid. Upgraded Wilwood front disc brakes bring the heavy Pontiac to a halt, while chromed Rally II wheels shod with sticky Mickey Thompson ET Street S/S radial tires sit out back, ready for burnouts.

Inside, the cabin has also been heavily modified. A welded-in six-point roll bar with swing-out side bars provides rollover protection for the 10-second passes. Drivers are held firmly in place by racing bucket seats and G-Force Racing Gear harnesses, shifting via a B&M floor shifter. Yet, the factory AM/FM stereo, tilt steering wheel, and original instruments remain functional. Drivers can monitor the engine’s health via an aftermarket AutoMeter tachometer, auxiliary oil pressure and water temp gauges, and an Innovate Motorsports air/fuel ratio gauge with an integrated data logger.

Cosmetically, the seller honestly describes this red-painted classic as a “20-footer.” It wears the battle scars of drag strip glory with rear quarter nicks from sticky tires, stone chips, and a small hood crimp. However, after a minor right-rear quarter panel incident, the car was fully checked on a frame alignment machine and is certified straight—perfectly balanced whether cruising at 26 mph or screaming down the track at 126 mph. As a bonus, the sale includes the car’s original engine: a blueprinted 403-cubic-inch Oldsmobile V8 that cost $9,000 to construct. The seller states that this engine alone previously propelled the 3,650-pound Trans Am to a 12.01-second elapsed time at 111 mph. Whether you choose to enjoy the raw, 10-second fury of the 463 stroker or the original 12-second Olds powerplant, this Trans Am is built for speed.