We always welcome input from our readers at Barn Finds, because, without you, we would cease to exist. Your comments provide praise where it is deserved, but also correct us when we make glaring mistakes. You are a seemingly inexhaustible source of knowledge, and your ability to spot classics for us to feature is particularly impressive. Therefore, I must say a big thank you to Barn Finder T.J. for pointing us in the direction of this 1979 Pontiac Trans Am. It is a two-owner survivor that the seller has listed here on Craigslist in Royal Palm Beach, Florida. They set their price at $39,900 and may consider a partial trade to send the Pontiac to a new home.

The 1979 model year marked the tenth since Pontiac’s Second Generation Firebird range burst onto the scene, and the vehicle evolved considerably during that period. The company performed a cosmetic update for 1979, restyling the front for a more aggressive look. The first owner ordered this Trans Am in Mayan Red with contrasting graphics that include the iconic Screaming Chicken. The seller purchased the car in 1982, and its overall condition suggests it has been treated respectfully since Day One. The paint shines beautifully, although the lack of chips and marks on the nose suggests it may have received at least a partial touch-up. The panels are as straight as an arrow, but the best news for potential buyers is that this Trans Am has avoided the rust issues that sometimes plague these classics. The first owner handed it to the good folks at Ziebart before taking delivery, and the buyer will benefit from that decision. The lack of interior moisture damage confirms that the T-Top seals are healthy, while the glass, plastic, and 15″ Year One wheels are all excellent.

I have always believed that a classic’s interior reveals much about the life it has led, particularly if the vehicle is a claimed unrestored survivor. That is the case with this Trans Am, and it is hard to dispute the seller’s contention that it is in as-new condition. The Black custom vinyl trim is free from wear, the dash is spotless, and the machine-turned gauge fascia looks fantastic. The first owner didn’t equip the car with power windows or locks, but the buyer will undoubtedly welcome the air conditioning, cruise control, tilt wheel, and AM/FM stereo radio.

Pontiac clung tenaciously to its role as the performance arm of the General Motors empire during the 1970s in the face of the adversity confronting every manufacturer. Tightening emission regulations took their toll, but the Trans Am remained the king of the pony car segment. The first owner ordered our feature Pontiac with the 403ci “Old” V8, while the three-speed automatic was the only available transmission with that powerplant. It generated 185hp and 315 ft/lbs of torque, providing a ¼-mile ET of 16.6 seconds. That figure sounds underwhelming, but it deserves context. The best an auto-equipped Mustang could muster was a 16.9-second ET, while the Camaro Z28 saw the figure balloon to 17 seconds. The seller confirms that this Trans Am is in excellent mechanical health as a numbers-matching survivor. They hold the original Window Sticker and PHS documentation for a turnkey classic with a claimed 78,000 original miles on the clock.

My greatest frustration with this 1979 Pontiac Trans Am is the poor quality of the images supplied by the seller. The fact is that their price sits towards the top end of the market, meaning they need to have everything stacked in their favor to achieve sales success. They seem approachable, and their willingness to consider trades helps their cause. Is this a classic that you might consider pursuing? I wish you luck if you do.