It always amazes me how so little information on eBay can still generate enthusiastic bidding. This 1980 Pontiac Trans Am is such a car, clearly shown to be off the road for many years but capturing quite a few bids so far. Assuming the reserve isn’t set much higher than $2K or so, there could be some serious value in parts alone with this example, but it depends on how extensive the rust is. Find it here on eBay with a claimed rebuilt transmission and disassembled 301.

I always liked these turbocharged Trans Ams, even if the performance didn’t quite capture the same amount of enthusiasm the V8 cars did. Just the graphics kit alone – shouting “Turbo Trans Am” in big letters – speaks of the era in which it was made. Of course, it’s also an indication as to how hard the General was working to convince the masses that the Trans Am in turbocharged form was just as impressive the naturally aspirate V8 cars.

Again, photos are pretty awful but what we can see of the interior shows a better cabin than I expected. The uncracked dash – and shockingly, unfaded dash – seem to indicate the Pontiac has been covered and/or stored for most of its time off the road. It seems any car left unprotected against the elements will at least emerge with faded plastic surfaces, or more likely a cracked dash. The seller says the floors are solid, and that there’s minimal rust on the body.

That’s entirely subjective, of course, as the photos show rust in the bottoms of the fenders and surface rust on the rear quarters. Now, if the bottom of the Trans Am isn’t rotten and those fenders are indeed the worst of it, it may be a more solid car than it appears. The engine will still need to be rebuilt and the front clip isn’t attached currently, so lots of work to do. While the pictures do it no favors, is there a chance a solid car is underneath that cover?