The year 1980 was pretty good for the Pontiac Firebird, there were about 107K built, and the ever-popular Trans Am was almost half of that total with about 50K copies. One thing that did not happen that year, however, was a Firebird, or Trans Am convertible – that stopped in 1969, or did it? Stay tuned and we’ll find out. This 1980 Pontiac Trans Am is located on Florida’s Space Coast and is available, here on craigslist for $39,990. Thanks to T.J. for this rare find!
By 1980, convertibles were pretty much a thing of the past. Their popularity started to wane in the late ’60s and then Ham-Handed Hank, also known as the National Highway Traffic & Safety Administration, started whining about needed rollover standards so the droptop went the way of the passenger pigeon in about 1976. The fact of the matter is they were still allowed, and once regulations were promulgated, convertibles could still be built in limited numbers. The problem is that limited numbers didn’t always work for manufacturers financially, so they farmed out the work to vehicle modifiers such as Newport Convertible Engineering (NCE) to handle the top chop for them. The seller claims that this ‘Bird is one of 151 so modified.
Years ago, I saw a Camaro of this generation cruising along on the Jacksonville, Florida beltway and it too was a convertible – but in this case, the budget-minded owner had just cut the top off with a Sawzall. You could tell by how badly that Chevy buckled as it encountered the slightest highway dip. Tempting? Yes! Smart? Uh-uh! There’s a bit of engineering involved… This example looks nice though the roofline in top-up mode doesn’t integrate that well with the rest of the car, at least to my eyes. Not the case in down-mode as it looks sharp! And I must say, that I’m thrilled to find a Trans Am that’s not black with gold trim. Now if we could just 86 that screaming hood chicken…
Not the mover that Tras Ams had been in the past, this late second-gen model is powered by a 210 net HP, 301 CI, turbo-charged V8 engine – the last of the true Pontiac V8 engines produced. Gearbox selection was limited to one, a Turbo-Hydramatic automatic. The seller suggests, “YOU WILL BE ENVIED… YOU WILL BE NOTICED… YOU WILL BE AMAZED“. Yeah, yeah, all that’s great, but I’d prefer to just be satisfied with how it runs and there’s no mention of that. With 52K miles of experience, I would imagine that this Poncho still goes as well as it ever did.
One place where I’d give the Firebird a leg up over the very similar Camaro is the interior, the upholstery in particular. In this case, I’m not too excited about red velour, it looks like most of the cheesy stuff GM was using in this era and I would expect better on Pontiac’s top pony. In his case, the seat bottoms appear to be darker as if stained or worn. Real or a trick of the light? It’s hard to say for sure. Beyond that, it looks fine and there’s no visual evidence of rips, splits, etc.
Do I like this Trans Am? Sorta but not almost $40 large of like. For that kind of cabbage, I believe there are better convertible models available.
I have to agree that it doesn’t look good with the top up
But all these conversions looked alike
They handled like a slinky
But i have always liked them for their rarity
But i wouldn’t pay the asking price
As there are better performing convertibles out there
I came very close to owning one of these about ten years ago. It was at a Texas dealer on eBay, and it was a base firebird with the 231 v6. I was working on logistics of getting it home to me when they sold it locally. At the time, the price was 12k. This definitely looks clean and it’s (in my opinion), an interesting and good looking piece of history. Car and Driver did a cover article about these conversions and it featured a gorgeous red 79 with the 400 motor along with a white Z28.
This particular car has popped up on my local CL before, but frankly, I can’t afford it at that price, so I don’t know if the ask sounds high, or it’s just sour grapes on my end. It may be that it’s one of those cars that the owner doesn’t need to sell, but will part with for all the money. The pictures were taken a half mile from my office, so I’m assuming it’s pretty close. If anyone is seriously considering this, I’ll be happy to put some eyes on it.
A very close friend of mine owned a TA, black with red interior. Day before yesterday would have been his 64th birthday. RIP, Roger.
A late friend of mine had a late 70s Camaro customized into a convertible for his wife. RIP Tommy.
That top doesnt do anything good for this car. And that red interior, you would need sunglasses just to get in it.
It might look better in a different color, but being that it is not…………..
A black top would look better!
A lot of Florida sales pitch.
“4.9L turbocharged V-8 engine
Automatic transmission
Refreshed”
What does refreshed mean>
I love convertibles. I’ve had 4. There are some models that fit the category. Any T/A after ’69 are in this group. Ugly
I think my 2000 TA WS6 ragtop has just been insulted?
I had an all black ‘76 Trans Am 400ci 4 speed that I ordered as a wedding present to myself. I had them leave the hood decal off at the factory.
Wish I still owned it.
Turbo Charge: Normal, Medium and High.
This reminds me of Knight Rider. “KITT I need you buddy!”
Very unique car and yes, the top’s color is kind of odd.
I guess it’s worth whatever anyone is willing to pay.
Some cars just don’t look good as a ragtop…and this is definitely one of them…ugly top doesn’t profile properly , body would flex like a wet pretzel, and that w’house RED interior…