Vehicle Description
Pontiac seemed to be the last automaker to get the news that the
horsepower wars were over. This real Y84 code 1979 Trans Am SE is
proof enough. Still packing the Pontiac 403 cubic inch V8 that made
Trans Ams so special, it was wrapped in the all-black package made
famous on the big screen by Burt Reynolds. Today, these cars are
seeing a strong surge in values, no doubt driven by nostalgia as
buyers finally find the disposable income to buy the cars of their
childhood dreams.
This is an extremely nice Code 19 Starlight Black example that's
been repainted to a high-level and looks as beautiful in real life
as it does in our pictures. Bodywork is very straight, which is
critical in a black car, and gaps are good all around. Even the
deck lid spoiler fits well, something that was hard to get right,
even when the cars were new. Same with the urethane bumpers, which
are typically cracked or warped, issues that are simply not present
in this black beauty. And love it or hate it, the gold firebird
decal on the hood was the car's defining styling element, and it is
in excellent shape, as are the rest of the decals which show no
signs of flaking, checking or peeling. It's got a few minor signs
of age, of course, but the way these cars are growing in popularity
every year, it wouldn't take much to bring it back up a notch and
cash in, and if you've been waiting your whole life to own one,
this is a great choice. T-tops are a rite of passage for any T/A
and taking them off on a sunny day might attract more attention
than you can handle. But then again, that would mean you own a
Trans AM, and a Trans AM owner can handle anything.
Black was the interior of choice with an all-black Trans Am, and it
looks simply amazing in this car. The cloth seats are supple and
comfortable, and there are no splits or tears anywhere in the
interior, a sign of a professional restoration that will last a
long time. Door panels are also excellent, and the carpets are
undamaged by the sun or any wear-and-tear. The original gauges are
all functional and live inside a dashboard dressed up by Pontiac's
traditional engine-turned panel that's gold-toned to complement the
striping on the exterior. An upgraded Pioneer AM/FM/CD/AUX head
unit, factory A/C (needs major components installed to be
operable), cruise control, a tilt steering column, power windows
and locks, and a console round out the impressive list of equipment
in this Trans Am. And despite being a T-top car, the interior is
largely free of the squeaks and rattles that often plague the open
cars and the roof panels fit quite well. The trunk is outfitted as
the factory did it, including a space-saver spare with jack
assembly.
You could still get your choice of engines in 1979, but the top
performer when linked with an automatic transmission was a 403
cubic inch V8. Effortless in everything it does, this
matching-numbers V8 makes great muscle car sounds and still carries
enough horsepower to be a genuine thrill on the street. Aftermarket
heads, an Edelbrock intake and 4-barrel carb, and chrome valve
covers appear to be the only deviation from stock, and it would be
hard to tell anyway since everything is pretty well buried under
the "6.6 Litre" embossed air cleaner and hood scoop. An H-pipe dual
exhaust system sounds suitably muscular and still uses a catalytic
converter, so it should be good to go in all 50 states. With the
quick-shifting TH350 3-speed automatic gearbox, acceleration is
only a gentle squeeze of the accelerator away and the suspension is
a good combination of sporting and comfortable, aided by the
reliability and comfort of power front disc brakes and power
steering. The underside shows off a lifetime of clean living and
those beautiful oversized "snowflake" alloy wheels are now fitted
with 245/45/17 (front) and 275/40/17 (rear) Toyo performance
radials.
Heavily documented with PHS documentation, a factory buildsheet,
reproduction window sticker, and original owner's manual, this
black-on-black Trans AM SE is one special bird. Pedigreed cars in
this condition never last, call today!