The Screaming Chicken. It remains one of the most identifiable vehicle graphics from the 1970s. It owed little to subtlety, adorning the hood of most Pontiac Trans Ams from that era. This 1979 example is no exception. It is a tidy driver with no immediate needs. However, splashing a few dollars on minor paint touch-ups could lift its presentation to a higher level without breaking the bank. The Trans Am is listed here on eBay in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The seller set a BIN of $21,000 but left the option to make an offer.
It was “business as usual” with the 1979 Trans Am. Apart from a minor front-end restyle, there was little to separate it visually from its predecessors. This car is a tidy survivor wearing Heritage Brown paint that generally shines nicely. It looks like it might be aging on the hood, and there are small stonechips, but nothing requires urgent attention. The panels are straight, but life in a dry climate appears to have left this Pontiac rust-free. The iconic Screaming Chicken decal is starting to deteriorate, but the remaining graphics look impressive for their age. The tinted glass is excellent, and the Snowflake wheels are free from stains and curb strike damage.
It is common for older classics to show their age with interior wear, and this Trans Am is no exception. The Camel Tan Hobnail Cloth on the front seats is worn, although the state of the back seat is unknown. If it is okay, the new owner may decide to splash $720 on a set of replacement front covers in the correct material and color. The dash pad hides under a cover, so its condition is unknown. The rest of the interior presents well, with no physical damage or other issues. The machine-turned dash fascia has avoided the wear problems common with this feature, with the same true of the wheel rim. It isn’t swimming in optional extras, although the buyer will undoubtedly welcome the factory air conditioning, a tilt wheel, and AM/FM radio.
Trans Am buyers in 1979 could choose from three engines to power their new purchase, with this car’s original owner choosing the 403ci Olds V8. It was the only motor not offered with a four-speed manual transmission, so this car sends its 185hp to the road via a three-speed automatic. Power assistance for the steering and brakes was standard equipment in 1979, and this mechanical combination should send the Pontiac through the ¼ mile in 16.6 seconds. That figure doesn’t sound impressive, but considering a 301-equipped Trans Am from the same year took 18.4 seconds to complete the journey, things could be worse! The seller indicates the vehicle runs and drives well, with no mechanical issues or problems. It is a turnkey classic that comes to its new owner with a significant collection of original documentation, including the Owner’s Manual, Warranty Book, and Protect-O-Plate.
The classic car market is heading through a boom period, and it is unclear when (or if) it will likely end. Although there are exceptions to the trend of spiraling values, the 1979 Pontiac Trans Am isn’t one of them. If things don’t change, the day will arrive when these cars are beyond the reach of the average enthusiast. The BIN figure, in this case, looks competitive and helps explain why sixty-four people are watching the listing. This survivor is tidy, with no pressing needs. A few paint touch-ups might help its presentation, but there would be no shame in retaining it untouched. What would be your strategy if you found it parked in your garage?
Are those replacement heater hoses, or 800volt High Voltage propulsion cables??
LOL
Good looking TA, but coffee brown is not everyone’s cup of “tea”……
Best to the new owner! 👍🤓
Back in the day, those were red heavy duty heater hoses that most people i knew got after a stock std black hose burst & left a car & driver at the side of the road. Always carry spare hoses in the trunk! & “fan” belts. & tools. & a good tire inflator.
dont forget 4 gallons of anti freeze
Nice color combo, IMO.
Let the 403 engine dissing start – now!
At least it has the rare option of having the correct shaker sticker.
Okay, if you insist. Station wagon engine!
As was the last 455 they used in 1976. Sad
First thing I’d do is give the existing driver’s seat a good clean.
It’s not dirty, it is worn. Obviously you haven’t seen many old cars with fabric seats.
Did u see it in person?
If not it’s assumption by both of us…..I’ve owned over 100 cars
To be kind, one could call it “Root Beer”
Not a fan of brown either.
Pretty clean TA though ( from the pics)
I’ve owned 3 over the decades all Black & Gold, 2 Pontiac 400s auto and one 403 auto.
76, 78 and 79.
Sluggish, crappy Oldsmobile 403 makes it of no interest to me or anyone that is a true aficionado but, decent looking car…I suppose.
Seat covers shot. Crappy paint. Boat anchor engine. Go for the 41 mile Nocturne one at Gooding in a few weeks. Real Pontiac 400 with 4 speed BW trans.
what a great period car . showing lots of love . this price is a steal. should double iin 5 years. this car needs mild attention but needs a garage to protect what is left. a great value and week end cruiser. i would not be afraid to show this one at any car show. as far as the 403 goes you should be able to squeeze another 25 horsees from somewhere. cliff ruggles and his quadrajet majic will take care of that… and some minor exhaust attention… BUY before the regrets roll in .. and they will… cruise this without regret…but get some nice quality bucket seat covers…
I had the Olds 403 in a ’77 Cutlass, good engine. Smooth, adequate torque, dead-nuts reliable and fairly good on gas. Great for a big 2 dr. coupe. Hardly the stuff of Trans Am lore however. If you couldn’t get the L78 400 in your ’79, you were better off taking the small credit and getting the 301 with the 4-speed. Build up a nice 400 or 455 and it bolts right in in place of the wheezy 301. Sell the 301 to your buddy with a boat for use as an anchor and your all set.
Olds 403 was not a truck motor and with some tuning could be a torque monster. Jet Boat Olds motors are known for low end torque. Could be a decent priced TA if original 53k miles are true original miles. Marks all the boxes for a decent weekend cruiser.
One thing a buyer is going to luck out on is it doesn’t have those leaky add on T-tops. Makes it a much better, tighter car.
Root beer brown with anchor motor and crank windows, I’ll vomit now
I was not too happy when the power windows on my ’73 bird that i bought used in ’81 failed after just a few uses. So did the a/c. I later bought a ’74 to replace it without either of those options & still have it.
Power windows on driver’s door broke twice on my ’91 made in japan Mitsubishi(once in the rain) with < 100k miles – a PLASTIC wheel that feeds a cable broke each time & you have to buy an ENTIRE ASSEMBLY including motor for repair – while the crank windows on my friend's '68 Nova with over 200k miles have yet to fail – & it's been outside a lot of it's life.
I dislike the design of this brown car's hood bird(compared to the much better black one on '73-74 red ones) more than you do the brown body color