Vehicle Description
The 1981 Pontiac Trans Am Turbo Indy 500 Pace Car is a rare and
unique machine, but this special custom is at a whole new level. It
takes the T-top coupe you love and adds sleek new paint, a fully
upgraded suspension, performance-built overdrive transmission, and
a professionally built 600 hp stroker V8. So dig into all the
details on a fresh and big money build that delivers a custom
Firebird that loves to fly.
There are great investments all over this coupe to make sure it's
the right balance of vintage style and a slick serious power
machine. This starts with the paint. The correct shade of white was
refinished only over a year ago, so it has a look of accuracy and
plenty of luster in the sunshine. The '81 Pace Car was distinct for
its high-contrast package with black details like the bumpers,
roof, and pinstriping. Even the official pace car decals, which can
be easily removed if you chose to do so, are part of this color
theme. So new ones were applied after the respray to make sure the
full package continues to have a sharp look. And of course, the
hood bird remains a focal point of this T/A. But for those who
really want to get up close, there are signatures underneath the
front splitter, on the passenger side, that suggest this coupe was
actually at the 1981 Daytona 500! The pace car option made for one
of the priciest Pontiacs you could buy in 1981, and it's also why
it's one of the rarest with only 2,000 examples produced. But you
want this for more than just exclusivity. There are cool additions
like the tinted headlight covers, center-mount antenna, Hot Wheels
decals, and rear windows louvers. And those 20x11" Ridler alloys in
the rear are the sure sign of an upgraded machine.
Those who know Pontiacs will be instantly excited the moment they
see the interior. These received a special color theme as part of a
terrific upgrade. The black and red is exceptionally distinctive,
and we know you instantly spotted those Recaro seats. They are a
rare piece, and so it's great to have them looking so good. Best of
all, you can share this distinction easily with the world thanks to
the T-tops. This was the top-of-the-line T/A for Pontiac, and so
it's loaded with power windows, power steering, tilt column, and
provisions for R134a air conditioning (needs a servicing to blow
cold again.) This even still has the special factory AM/FM/cassette
stereo that glows red to match the interior. This is a driver's
classic, so you get to face iconic components like the Trans Am's
special three-spoke steering wheel, cool machined aluminum dash,
and the full gauge package with tach/clock combo. But just like the
exterior, you can also see there's more going on with this rare
classic. The roll bar adds strength to the chassis, and the shifter
is now a Hurst dual gate unit we're used to seeing on the best
classic Pontiac performance machines.
The engine bay is at the heart of this Pontiac's freshness. The
turbo V8 was a great calling card when these were new, but this
special one goes for far more power. It now has a fresh and dark
383 cubic-inch stroker V8 built by West Coast Performance. It's a
balanced and blueprinted setup that includes ported & polished,
11:1 compression, and topped with a Holley 770 Brawler four-barrel
carburetor. No worry about hauling around a barrel of race gas
wherever you go, this beast can run on 91 and 93 pump gas. Long
tube headers feed the menacing growl of the Pypes M-80 exhaust that
exits under the car. The transmission is a 700R4 four-speed Stage
III unit built by Patriot Transmission, and it includes a Boss Hog
stall to keep you in the ideal powerband. This full package is said
to make a street-eating 600 horsepower, and it's so fresh that
there's only 25 miles since the swap (both the motor and
transmission are even still under warranty!) It's supported by all
the best pieces, including a high torque starter, Holley electric
fuel pump, powder coated serpentine belt system, and aluminum
radiator w/electric fans. As you look underneath, you can see a
freshly painted undercarriage with a new BMR front suspension arms,
10-bolt limited-slip rear, sway bars front & rear, fresh urethane
bushing all around, and Wilwood four-wheel disc brakes w/drilled &
slotted rotors.
The sale comes complete with the original turbo V8, original turbo
wheels, a Yukon 3.73 Posi rear end, and a detailed list of the
thousands $$$$$ spent on this car's awesome upgrades. You also get
build receipts, the factory buildsheet, owner's manual, and Pontiac
Historic Services (PHS) documentation. It all proves this coupe is
rare, distinct, upgraded, and absolutely awesome. Call now!
