When it comes to Trans Ams, it’s sometimes difficult to get excited about a car we’re accustomed to seeing on these pages. However, when a sharp example like this 1979 model pops up with a color combination we don’t often see, I’ll make an exception. This Trans Am sports a sharp red interior with matching decals on the hood, and the silver-faced honeycomb wheels are also a nice change of pace from the typical gold. Find it here on craigslist with a $15,500 asking price.
The listing doesn’t clarify whether the Trans Am is an original paint car, only noting that the paint and body are “straight and clean.” That would determine how excited I am about this example, as a respray would be a serious bummer considering how many original paint T/A’s are still running around. A build sheet would be helpful as well, as I’d love to know if this color combo is how it was originally spec’d out.
Certainly, the interior is likely original as it’d be way too much trouble to swap all of these red pieces in. But the seats look a bit too nice for a driver, so it’d be helpful to know if the seller has verified whether the listed mileage of just 16,413 is accurate. This is my big gripe about listings like this: why isn’t the big deal stuff being promoted more? If this is a sub-20,000 mile car, that’s what matters most. However, there’s not a word mentioned about potential time-capsule mileage.
The seller says the Trans Am runs extremely well, with good handling and power noted. The A/C compressor is likely in need of replacement, although all of the original HVAC equipment is still present. The asking price seems quite reasonable for a Trans Am in this condition, but I’d still like to know if the mileage is believed to be genuine as it seems too cheap for a sub-20,000 mile example. Thanks to Barn Finds reader Rocco for the find.
Looks to be an Olds 403 and not a Pontiac 400 thus the T/A 6.6 decal is incorrect.
The Olds 403 and the Pontiac 400 are BOTH referred to as the 6.6L and display the decal on the shaker…..
If the car had the pontiac 400, it should have the ta 6.6 badge. If it has the olds 403 it should 6.6 litre. You could only get a 4 speed with pontiac power not the olds. If my memory serves me right which it may not
Hellcatfever and Maynard Reed Jr., you are both correct.
This is a nice car that someone has put an incorrect “T/A 6.6” shaker decal on when it should have the original “6.6 LITRE” decal.
I have included a pic of what it should be.
This bit of deception raises a red flag for me. If the seller can’t even be honest about this, what else might they be hiding? Unfair? Perhaps. But such a low mileage car should still have the original decal shouldn’t it? The ad doesn’t say the paint is original, but if repainted they should have been careful enough or honest enough to put on the correct decal IMHO.
Especially deceptive, since he also has another 79 T/A for sale that shows a 6.6 LITRE decal:
That there is a “RED BIRD” edition. My cousin has a black one with a 400 4-spd. Nice car but the black is killer, oh and that 4-spd.
I know cameras do funny things to colors, but my first impression was that it’s the wrong white for that car. Shown with the other T/A in the background it looks different (did it get resprayed in a pearl white instead of the plain white?). Anyway, hard to tell if it’s original or not as the pictures show minimal detail or are fuzzy in the places you’d like to see more detail on. Nice car but would have to see up close before getting serious about it.
Yes, in 1979 the W72 400 c.i.d. Pontiac engine was not offered with an automatic transmission either. With those rims, I’m not sure it is equipped with the famed WS6 handling package as well. Still, a nice-looking car.
Just for clarification, these are Not honeycomb wheels. These are snowflake wheels, one of 3 different varieties that Pontiac produced.
Honeycombs are on the car in the background.
There were a few 79 Trans Ams with W72 400 cid engines. They were engines that were left over from remaining stock.
Correct Grant Green, Pontiac stockpiled 10,000 400’s for the ’79 model year. 2500 slated for the anniversary edition, and the other 7500 went into other Trans Ams and Formulas. NHRA determined the true horsepower of those 400’s at around 260hp instead of the advertised 220hp. My ’79, W72 / WS6-equipped Trans Am ran a 14.90 completely stock!
Nice, it’s like a Hot Wheels come to life! Good looking color combo.
Here are the other 2 that you can see in the pictures:
A ’75 Blue one: https://dallas.craigslist.org/dal/cto/d/75-trans-am/6761683535.html
The other ’79 white one with T-roof and 6.6 Litre: https://dallas.craigslist.org/dal/cto/d/1979-pontiac-trans-am-top-car/6761679764.html
Those aren’t REDBIRDS man. I don’t think you know what you’re looking at here.
I hate the look of the nose cones of this model of t/a it looks like crap
i think the price is a great price. he’s not really touting originality. granted the 16,000 miles are a plus. and i think if he was going to tout originality he’d be asking for more green.. this is just an excellent opportunity to buy and go through all parts on car to prove originality or be able to make it right . its a buyers opportunity who is experienced with certifying numbers and really cash in. if its not a numbers car its a great opportunity for a real weekend driver that still truly can be enjoyed. look how much beaters are priced today. either way THIS IS A STEAL. unless of course if its a stolen vehicle. verify .VERIFY. verify. and beat a path to the bank , cause this guys giving this car away. + he may have accidentally swapped scoops with other white ta . they look the same color to me
i had a 1979 white trans am with the 403 olds engine a d red screaming chicken was what it was called the ws6 package red cloth interior no ttop because they sometimes leaked