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Upgraded 400: 1979 Pontiac Trans Am

When a seller uses the word “anemic” to describe a classic pony car, there’s a fair chance the vehicle in question emerged at the end of the 1970s. Such is the case with this Pontiac Trans Am. By the time it appeared in 1979, the heady days of the late 1960s and early 1970s seemed little more than a distant memory. Owners were left with few choices beyond persevering with cars that tended to be unrefined, thirsty, and possessing few (if any) performance credentials. Alternatively, they could ditch their pride and joy in favor of something else, which generally meant settling on an import. A previous owner trod a different path by upgrading this classic’s original engine to something more befitting its good looks. It is a rock-solid vehicle that runs and drives well, but it also needs a new home. Located in Dallas, Texas, you will find the Pontiac listed for sale here on eBay. The owner has set a BIN of $28,000, and there are currently twenty people watching the listing.

If we ignore the drivetrain upgrades, this Trans Am is largely original. Its Red paint (previously called Buccaneer Red) is as it left the factory, with only a couple of minor touch-ups on one lower rear quarter panel and a couple of small spots across the vehicle. It still shines beautifully, with only some thinning on the rear bumper indicating its age. The graphics and iconic Screaming Chicken are original, and though they now exhibit some visible fading, their condition is above average for a Trans Am of this vintage. However, I’ve saved the best news until last. The included documentation indicates that the Pontiac first saw active duty in Maryland, and it was there that its original owner handed it to the good people at Ziebart to weave their magic. When you combine that treatment with a life where the car never saw snow or salt, it is pleasing to reveal that the Trans Am remains rust-free. The panels look remarkably clean, the prone spots like the rear valance and area around the back window are perfect, and this underside shot reveals the floors, frame, and trunk pan to be rock-solid. This package is rounded out by flawless glass and snowflake wheels with no evidence of stains or physical damage.

Opening this Pontiac’s doors reveals an interior awash in Red and White vinyl and plastic. The first thing worth noting is its general condition. White vinyl tends to develop a yellowish appearance as time passes, but this car has avoided that fate. The seller notes this flaw in the driver’s seat, but the remaining upholstered surfaces appear excellent. There is no wear, physical damage, or evidence of abuse. The carpet is spotless, as are the dash, pad, and console. For me, the highlight is the machine-turned gauge cluster. If this is original to this car, it rates as one of the best I’ve seen. It looks crisp and clean, with no wear or other problems. Factory features include power windows, a tilt wheel, and a remote driver’s mirror. Aftermarket additions include a B&M Dual-Gate shifter, a Classic Auto air conditioning system that blows ice-cold, and a Retro-Sound stereo with a Blaupunkt amplifier and USB input.

At the start of the 1970s, when an owner told anyone that they owned a Pontiac Trans Am, that person could be sure they owned a car with serious attitude and performance potential. As the 1970s progressed, the story changed markedly. With engine power dribbling away and vehicle weights increasing, cars like the Trans Am morphed from lean and mean to obese and serene. The owner of this Trans Am admits that it was about as bad as it got when the car was new. Its original owner ordered the Pontiac with the 4.9-liter V8, producing an anemic (current owner’s description) 150hp. Adding to the pain, they also selected the three-speed automatic transmission. This Trans Am would not have been on speaking terms with anything resembling performance, taking 18.4 seconds to wander down the ¼ mile. The news is not good for purists because this classic is no longer numbers-matching. For those of you willing to compromise on originality if it brings more power, have I got a deal for you! The previous owner rightly consigned the original motor to boat anchor duties, and slotted in a rebuilt 400ci V8. With 6x cylinder heads, a Competition Cam, and a 650 Holley carburetor, it’s a sure bet that there’s plenty of additional performance available under the driver’s right foot. Since the rebuild, the engine has accumulated 5,000 miles, meaning it is barely broken in. The upgrades didn’t end there because they added a new 2½” stainless steel exhaust, Bilstein shocks, and a new fuel tank. The owner states that the Trans Am runs and drives well, with no squeaks, rattles, or other vices.

This 1979 Pontiac Trans Am won’t necessarily appeal to purists, but it will tick some boxes for anyone wishing that pony cars from that era possessed better performance. If you lived through the 1970s, you would probably fall into that camp. It would take years before manufacturers recaptured the power from their V8 engines that was available at the beginning of the decade, leaving enterprising individuals to go it alone. That is what a previous owner has done, and the buyer will be set to reap the benefits. Do you agree with the changes, or should this classic have been retained as an original survivor?

Comments

  1. Avatar BOP_GUY Member

    I see nothing wrong with making mechanical changes to bring better performance, give it a little pep to match its looks. It’s surprisingly clean for being original otherwise, I really like it!

    Like 18
  2. Avatar 370zpp Member

    The mods here are what any of us would have wanted back when cars like this were new.
    As Bop Guy said “nothing wrong with making mechanical changes to bring better performance”

    Like 13
  3. Avatar Stan

    Dual gate shifter is cool, almost has a factory look to it as well. Nice

    Like 7
  4. Avatar John Oliveri

    I went to look at a new bandit Trans Am in 79, I wanted an automatic, so the 400, w 220 hp was off the sheet, 2 choices, Oldsmobile 403 which was an anchor or Pontiac 301, which was perfect for a downsized Grand Prix, which I bought , but not a muscle engine at all, the upgrades are a welcome addition, at least it’s not another LS making this a Chevy Firebird

    Like 5
  5. Avatar Richard Todte

    I Love it, I can imagine this car in my driveway

    Like 4
  6. Avatar PRA4SNW

    Another car with an interesting color combo.

    My ’99 Z/28 was red with white seats – and that was the only thing that was white. The dealer had no idea how the combo came to be, it wasn’t a cancelled order, and he said they didn’t order it that way either.

    I liked the look, but I traded it a few years later to buy a wagon since the first baby was on the way. I searched for that car many years later and found that someone had replaced the interior with black and carved up the dash to install a huge screen and a Playstation. Yuck.

    Like 2
  7. Avatar Johnny

    I know where their is a one owner. With the 455 in it. He asked me last year if I,d be interested in it. He said he did believe the flood got in his garage. ,I,m gonna check it out this summer. Its the reddish orange color . He never abused it any.

    Like 1
  8. Avatar Keith D.

    Now everyone has Googled the word “anemic”

    Like 0
  9. Avatar Stevieg

    I think the upgrades under the hood are very fitting for this car. I like it a lot!

    Like 0

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