Pontiac threw a party in 1979, and the Trans Am was the guest of honor. Ten years had passed since the badge first graced a Firebird, and the company celebrated by releasing a 10th Anniversary Edition. It featured unique paint and trim, and eager buyers snapped these classics up pretty quickly. Our feature car is one of those vehicles, and appears to be an unrestored and unmolested survivor. I must say a big thank you to Barn Finder Mitchell G. for spotting the Trans Am listed here on eBay in Newton, Mississippi. The solitary bid of $20,000 is below the reserve, although there is time for that situation to change.

Pontiac pulled out all the stops with the 10th Anniversary Trans Am, rummaging through its toy box to equip the limited edition with almost every option in its arsenal. Externally, this included Platinum Silver and Charcoal Gray paint, 15″ “Turbo” wheels, a mirrored glass T-Top, and distinctive decals and graphics. The seller doesn’t state it outright, but they convey the impression that our feature car is a survivor. Its condition is particularly noteworthy if that is accurate, because its paint shines nicely, with no evidence of fading or deterioration. The decals are crisp and clean, the panels are straight, and the lack of interior moisture damage suggests that the T-Top seals are in good condition. Rust can be a major bugbear with the Second Generation Firebird range, but the lack of problems around the back window and in the lower quarter panels bodes well for potential buyers. I always recommend an in-person inspection to confirm that the trunk pan and rear valance are okay, because these are two areas notorious for problems. The glass is clear, and the wheels look excellent.

This Trans Am features the most common drivetrain configuration chosen by 10th Anniversary buyers. The engine bay houses the “Olds” 403ci V8, teamed with a three-speed automatic transmission and a 2.73 Safe-T-Track rear end. This Trans Am also features power assistance for the steering and four-wheel disc brakes. As the seller rightly states, the 1979 model year marked the end of the line for the “Olds” engine as part of the Firebird range, and the story was the same for the company’s 400ci powerplant. The 403 generates 185hp and 315 ft/lbs of torque, and while this car wouldn’t be a jet off the line, that rear end ratio would ensure that it was an effortless open road cruiser. The seller’s listing description is quite convoluted, with them showing a tendency to repeat themselves. However, wading through the confusing text seems to indicate that this Trans Am is in excellent mechanical health and is a turnkey proposition for the winning bidder.

Pontiac sought to make the 10th Anniversary Trans Am anything but ordinary. The company loaded the interior with virtually every item on the Options List for 1979. That means that this car features air conditioning, power windows, power locks, a leather-wrapped Formula tilt wheel, cruise control, and an AM/FM radio/cassette player. The seats are trimmed in Silver leather, while the remaining upholstered surfaces feature vinyl in the same shade. The overall impression conveyed by this interior is positive. The seats are free from significant wear, the vinyl looks nice, and there are no plastic or carpet problems. The wheel exhibits wear and deterioration, but finding a replacement shouldn’t pose a challenge. The seller confirms that the A/C has been updated with R134a refrigerant, and it appears that everything works as it should.

The 1979 Pontiac Trans Am 10th Anniversary Edition proved a sales hit, with the company finding eager buyers for the 7,500 vehicles produced fairly easily. Sadly, many have fallen into disrepair as owners focused on the “latest and greatest” new models produced by various manufacturers as they sought to put the bitter memories of The Malaise Era behind them. However, a few hardy souls chose to preserve these classics, and our feature car appears to have led a sheltered life. Recent sales results suggest that it might climb to $25,000 if enough interest is generated, and the listing statistics are healthy enough to make that possible. Do you consider that a fair price, or do you have another figure in mind?