Two Owner Survivor: 1979 Pontiac Trans Am

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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.

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Comments

  1. Michelle RandStaff

    I need a 455! Pretty nice example though.

    Like 3
    • Frog

      Although a 455ci sounds appealing, the speedometer setting at 100 seems insulting as a 1000 horsepower car in a whole town with a 25mph school zone speed limit. But I think our wonderful pickle jar brain leaders at that time thought they did or were doing this country a proliferation in conservation by reducing the speedometers to 85. What were they thinking??? Nevermind don’t answer that.

      Like 0
      • Nelson C

        Sorry, Frog, but I will answer that. Seems that someone told someone (I’ll blame Joan Claybrook because she’s probably not here to defend herself) the 85 mph speedometer would make you believe you were going flat out by seeing the needle pegged. The energy act may have saved some fuel and some lives. It also created revenue for states that were bent on enforcement both on the road and in businesses that violated interior temperature rules. Take a 360° turn to see that the more things change the more they stay the same.

        Nice Trans Am, BTW.

        Like 0
      • Frog

        Nelson C
        Thank you for being so kind. I was trying not to trigger a migraine 🤕. But I agree about the car. Very clean and uncluttered without all the over the top stickers graphics decals stripes etc.

        Like 1
      • JoeNYWF64

        Not to mention the 1974-must-fasten-seat-belt-to-start-car interlock.
        Yet, inexplicably later allowing headrests that were off center on some GM cars! & allowing plastic headlite covers that soon clouded up & yellowed -espec on Hondas & Neons.
        & now allowing LED headlites that can blind oncoming drivers.

        Like 1
  2. Spearfish SpearfishMember

    Appears to be nice original, love the colors. The ask seems a little precious though.
    With my station on life’s road, I’d be just fine with the 403, and the “windey” windows make me smile with nostagia as I crank away. Back then, power options were not on my priority list though locks were nice. And the radio is still a homely but simple old school two-knobber vs an ugly “modern” electro-digital-neon-led-tiny button box.
    I agree the photos are weak, but not as bad as some, and the ad is one of those screaming-all-caps-poor-grammar concoctions that can be annoying to translate. But I wish the seller luck and no doubt the new owner will enjoy their pony car purchase.

    Like 1
  3. John Oliveri

    Nah it’s got a 403, junk motor, unfortunately not many good choices in 79 if you wanted automatic, 301Pontiac or 403 Oldsmobile, there’s even a 305 Chevy California one too I believe, it was the end

    Like 0
    • Md

      You’re thinking of 80/81, in 79 you could get a 400 or a 403.

      Like 1
      • Toypartman

        MD, you could only get the 4-speed with the 400 Pontiac engine. A few bolt ons and a cam would have that 403 singing! Olds fans know what I’m talking about.

        Like 0
  4. Frog

    Although a 455ci sounds appealing, the speedometer setting at 100 seems insulting as a 1000 horsepower car in a whole town with a 25mph school zone speed limit. But I think our wonderful pickle jar brain leaders at that time thought they did or were doing this country a proliferation in conservation by reducing the speedometers to 85. What were they thinking??? Nevermind don’t answer that.

    Like 0
  5. Paul Yankowski

    Don’t get me wrong I’m not a hater but a weezer vehicle in the dummy down and emission era could not be considered a Muscle Car. It’s very nice would be fun to own but it’s not a 70, 454, stage 6 vehicle hope I got that right. Good luck with your sale.

    Like 0

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