Vehicle Description
1979 Pontiac Trans Am 10th Anniversary
The fuel-efficient future called for smaller displacement engines
and smaller vehicles. More bad news-at least for fans of the last
American muscle car standing. Through the 1970s, the 6.6-liter
Pontiac Trans Am had been the lone heavyweight, but before the
party ended, Pontiac served up one last round of the top-shelf
stuff and called it "The 10th Anniversary Limited Edition". Along
with its special paint treatment, graphics, wheels, and more, this
would be among the last of the Trans Ams offered with the "T/A 6.6"
400 engine. As a collectible car from the 1970s, the anniversary
Trans Am stands out in terms of desirability and value. The 400
version, sold exclusively with a Borg-Warner Super T-10, is the
scarcest, and typically commands the most money.
For consignment, a 10th anniversary edition of the 1979 Pontiac
Trans Am. Purchased new at Russo Pontiac in Port Chester, NY,
always garage kept and driven mainly on weekends, this T/A finally
left the hands of its original owner in August 2020. Our consignor,
the second owner, has enjoyed taking this anniversary bird to car
shows but now has decided it's someone else's turn to take over the
reins. This shining silver dollar sports an Oldsmobile 403ci engine
with the TH350 speed and 4bbl carb, all numbers matching. Some
special graphics and interior options and happy 10th anniversary.
With PHS documentation, all of its original paperwork including the
window sticker, some service records and service notes throughout
the years, and only 29,667 actual miles "Pop" goes the
champagne!
Exterior
The big news in '79 was the anniversary Trans Am in a never before
seen silver and charcoal scheme with a "super bird" on the hood-so
called because its wingtips extended onto the tops of the front
fenders. A new cast-aluminum turbo wheel design measuring 15 x 8
inches was employed, and on this example are looking very nice! As
for the rest of this machine, it shows square deep inset headlights
which float above the lower dual opening grille in a darker
charcoal gray neoprene with some red pinstripe highlighting on its
edge. Below is a silver chin spoiler that wraps around to the front
lower fender. Upper front quarters have a vent to circulate more
air into the engine bay. The hood has the graphic and it's near
perfect in condition. A removable smoked glass T top is seen, and a
green house glass curved rear window slopes down to the trunk lid
and deck. On back is a small spoiler which is above a horizontal
ribbed panel that stretches from side to side and houses the
taillights and sports a TRANS AM badge in red knockout type. Below
is another neoprene bumper in charcoal gray and encircled by some
more pinstriping. Dual chrome exhaust tips peek out from under the
rear quarter on both sides. Definitely a looker and probably one of
the best right up there with the Bandit edition of yore. We do note
some body filler at the bottom front of the passenger's door along
with an application of clear coat on a few of the front panels.
Interior
I'm seeing silver stars for the interior rating with smooth silver
padded door panels, a red piping framed insert with a stitched
"super bird'' in it in black with red thread accenting. Gray
carpeting below and a shiny power lock toggle just above the insert
actuator. Inside sleek silver leather buckets with high backs and
integrated headrests have aged nicely with little discoloration. In
back is a snazzy 2 plus 2 bench and as we go to the dash through
the buckets, we can ride along a gray center console with a storage
box/armrest and the shifter housing. Reminiscent of earlier
versions the dash uses a machined swirl aluminum insert with a
lineup of round gauges surrounded by dark gray vinyl padded dash.
Below is the original AM/FM/8 Track radio and our consignor will
include some 8 track tapes for your listening pleasure. A gray
leather ringed rally steering wheel is fronting this machine age
styled dash, and on the floors is some very clean non faded non
soiled carpeting. I do notice a more discoloration on the back of
the bucket tubs, and the interior B pillar coverings, but otherwise
very nicely preserved.
Drivetrain
Under the "Superbird" decal, scooped hood sits a 403ci V8 in
numbers matching condition. These 4bbl carb engines were paired
with the TH350 3-speed automatic which throws power back to a
10-bolt 2.73 gear limited slip rear axle. Fly away Jack!
Undercarriage
Just as snazzy as the topside with some surface rust on the usual
suspects, (axle, driveshaft, leaf springs, some exhaust tubes), but
the floor pans and rockers remain in their factory black
undercoating. Power disc brakes are on all 4 corners and a stock
exhaust is on with dual tips on either side as their crescendo on
the rear quarters.
Drive-Ability
It's always a blast from the past to drive one of these classics
and this car did not disappoint! Smooth acceleration, smooth
automatic shifting, and smooth bias free braking form those discs.
A smooth operator that flies just like its hood graphic.
Quite the thing of beauty in its silver and platinum dress, and a
hint of red and black pin striping as accenting. The Olds 403ci V8
with the automatic transmission makes driving this car a breeze,
which you will certainly feel with the T top panels off and flying
along at amazing speed. Eat your heart out similar year Corvette
owners...
VIN DECODE
2X87K9N155652
2-Pontiac
X-10th Anniversary Trans Am
87-2 Door Hardtop Sport Coupe
K-403ci V8 4bbl 185hp
9-1979
155652-Sequential Unit Number
TRIM TAG
04A-1st Week April Build
ST 79 2FS87-1979 Trans Am 2 Door Hardtop Sport Coupe
BDY N161773-Norwood Body #
TR 152-Silver Leather
PNT 15L 16U-Platinum & Silver Metallic
A51-Bucket Seats
CC1-T Tops
A31-Power Windows
Y89-10th Anniversary Package
Classic Auto Mall is a 336,000-square foot classic and special
interest automobile showroom, featuring over 650 vehicles for sale
with showroom space for up to 1,000 vehicles. Also, a 400 vehicle
barn find collection is on display.
This vehicle is located in our showroom in Morgantown,
Pennsylvania, conveniently located just 1-hour west of Philadelphia
on the I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. The website is
www.classicautomall.com and our phone number is (888) 227-0914.
Please contact us anytime for more information or to come see the
vehicle in person.