Reaching a decade in production is a milestone worth celebrating for just about any automobile, but when that car is something special like the Pontiac Trans Am, the reasons for enthusiasts to rejoice are amplified significantly! Pontiac thought it was a momentous occasion as well, creating a 10th Anniversary Special Edition T/A for 1979, of which 7,500 units rolled off the assembly line. This 1979 Trans Am here on eBay in Egg Harbor City, New Jersey, is one such example, but it’s also got the gratifying W72 engine, making it one of just 1,817 special editions equipped with the strong-performing 400. This is a truly desirable F-Body, and priced accordingly at $62,500, but there’s also the option to make an offer.
By 1979, the focus on high-performance capabilities in most vehicles had taken a back seat to clean-air and improved gas mileage concerns, but the Trans Am was still offering the conservatively rated 220-horsepower 400 CI V8, known as the W72. However, this would mark the final year for its availability, and thankfully, this car is said to still be equipped with the original T/A 6.6 engine under the hood. It’s reportedly received a new cam, lifters, valves, and other parts, with the mileage reading of 55,140 claimed to be actual. Paired with the manual transmission, I’m sure this car is an absolute blast to get behind the wheel of!
A garage is said to have housed this Trans Am for nearly 40 years, helping to preserve the original paint and decals. In addition to a fine finish, the panels also appear straight, and I’m not spotting any corrosion issues from any of the supplied photos either. The factory wheels are still present, and another great feature outside that the seller doesn’t even mention is the T-Tops, so this one seems to check all the right boxes, both mechanically and cosmetically.
The interior is said to have been restored, including new seat foam and upholstery, carpeting, and a new headliner. This one also features power windows and a tilt column, but the steering wheel rim shows some wear, so it might need some attention or replacing if you’re seeking perfection inside. For 1979, this is about as good as it gets for the T/A, and I’m thinking the asking price may be in the ballpark here. What are your thoughts on this 1979 Pontiac Trans Am 10th Anniversary Special Edition, and its cost of $62.5k?
55,000 miles and needs cam, lifters, valves & other parts? HHHMMMM?
Cam, lifters, valves are stated to have been replaced. $62K is still steep
Interior is still in need of some work. Seat covers look like a 2 year old installed them. Front end paintwork looks off also maybe bad lighting but needs a up close look. Way to much for a asking price.
Push the car outside for better pictures, blocked wheels make it look like it is not running. Underside shots show little – put up on a rack to show condition, work done ?
Steering wheel looks rough and out of place.
Why the premature engine repairs and interior work needed – for a parked car ?
Cam/lifter replacement usually points to to using current oils (with very little zinc) that are made for roller cam/lifters, post 80’s production. Flat tappet hydraulic cams, like came stock here, must have zinc-based oils to cushion (valvoline VR1, Driven and Lucas oils with recommended 1,400 ppm zinc all address classic car needs) or the cam will be wiped out.
Lots of questions, lacking pictures. That steering wheel is telling.
Just make sure to “lose” the catalytic converter with zinc based oil.
My ’74 pont 400 with over 250k miles is all original – except timing chain replacement & has been using on sale SM-SQ conventional 10w40 oil no issues.- no [modern hemi] ticking or smoke.
Watch —> Do Classic Cars (1951-1996) Actually NEED Special Oil?
Is that a manual shifter poking out of the console?
That was the only way a W72 equipped T/A came in 1979.
This car is taking some (perhaps fair) criticism, but really, you don’t see a W-72 1979 every day, much less an Anniversary Edition. If it checks out, it is well worth the $62.5k.
The engine has been rebuilt with a new cam, lifters, valves, etc. all with specifications unknown. The underside has been slicked up but no mention has been made of suspension work. The wear on the LF tire suggests some service is needed. The interior is a disappointment. The upholstery, especially the rear seat, looks like someone said ‘close enough.’
For $62.5k you can own this restored survivor which may or may not run and drive.
The owner states that it has been restored to look like it just rolled of the assembly line. That is not true the paint has numerous chips drivers side roof between the t-top and back window big spot that has the paint worn through. The interior has its on set of problems starting with the steering wheel. Also not one good picture of the engine a nice car but for that asking price the car falls short.
It’s a little rich. Why no good shots of under the hood and underneath? For that price, they need to show more detail
To the dude willing to spend $62,500 on this terribly restored car, I will sell you a mountain. You have no clue what a good original car is. And to the greedy seller, at least take the car outside for photos. My 6 year old granddaughter could do better.
This car is Werth half of what is being ask. About $25000 to $30000 would be about right .
if this just rolled off the assembly line i would send it back. those seats have wrinkles in them than a 3.00 suit. everything underneath is cover in black paint. 62k yeah good luck with that. way out of line. better examples out there for kind of coin. stay away!
I see a lot of red flags and everybody is catching them! Why did it need a new interior at 55k and why did they apparently commission a 7th grade shop class to put the repop seat covers on?
Then there’s all the engine work, which shouldn’t have been necessary at this mileage, and somebody hosed doen the undercarriage with rattle cans, and ditched the factory exhaust on a rare car for a system a broke teenager would install. I get that W72 manual 10ths are pretty rare, but I would steer clear of this one , especially at this price point.
$62.5k ????. Hahaha, don’t think so! Definitely not up to par and we all know it.