This is a classic example of starting a bid too high on a project car. A reserve auction might have been better suited if the owner does not want to part with the car if the bid is too low. This 1979 Pontiac Trans Am is located in Monticello, Indiana and is up for auction here on eBay. However, the seller listed the Trans Am with a Buy It Now Price that is equivalent to the starting bid of $7,900. With only 1 day remaining in the auction, it is unlikely for someone to bite on buying this car.

The car has a base black interior except the seats and steering wheel have been changed out to camel. While the dash looks solid, the car looks awfully odd with tan hobnail seats which came with the deluxe interior option package with the standard base black interior. The car appears to have an aftermarket radio and the dash has been cut to accommodate the installation. The car does have rear defrost, automatic transmission and air conditioning. The shifter knob is needed as well as it looks like there are some aftermarket speakers in the kick panels.

This car is equipped with the base engine for 1979 which was the K code Oldsmobile 403 cubic inch V8 engine. It produced 185 horsepower which was approximately equivalent to the output of the 350 cubic inch V8 engine in the Camaro Z28.  The Oldsmobile 403 cubic inch engine only came with the GM Turbo 350 automatic transmission. For a few dollars more, the car could have been ordered with the W72 400 cubic inch Pontiac engine which delivered 220 horsepower and only came with a 4 speed and the WS6 performance suspension in 1979. For a $150 savings, a buyer could have opted for the economy minded 301 cubic inch V8 Pontiac engine which came with either a 4 speed or automatic transmission.

This car shows some rust in the rear quarter panels. The seller states that the car was originally undercoated but that doesn’t always save a car from the rust bug. The owner states that the car is running but needs some fine tuning. This car could be a driver or a good candidate for a restomod.