Vehicle Description
1980 Pontiac Firebird Turbo Trans Am Pace Car
In 1989, Pontiac squeezed a turbo Buick engine into 1,555 Trans Ams
for the 20thyear anniversary edition that paced the Indianapolis
500 without engine mods needed. Not only was this not Pontiac's
first pace car assignment, it was also not their first foray into
turbocharged engines. That happened nine years earlier for the 1980
model where an exhaust driven AiResearch TB0305 turbocharger bumped
horsepower to 210 from the normally aspirated 301's output of 140
hp.
For consignment, a 1980 Pontiac Firebird Turbo Trans Am with a
special pace car paint scheme, and designation printed on the
doors. For the turbo version, Trans Am's notorious shaker hood was
replaced with an asymmetrical flowing rise in the hood, a great
design that was so good, it would reappear in the next generation
of Trans Ams.
Exterior
The base for the special paint and decal treatment begins with
Cameo White enhanced with gray paint on the grille surround of the
Pontiac's Enduro nose and a twin pinstripe encircling the gray.
Also in front, white headlight bezels replace the standard black
and the screaming eagle's fiery breath flows over the turbo bulge
while gray paint floods the area over the bird, then drifts over
the roof and shoulder line of the car. The pinstripes pick up color
from the bird and circle the car, including the rear window, while
the back bumper cover picks up the gray. Even if you don't like
Trans Ams, there's no denying the beautiful design which our car
wears well. The 15x8-inch turbine wheels were used on other Trans
Ams, but only the pace car received white ones. Imperfections on
this car are reserved mostly for flex cracks in the Enduro bumper
cover paint, front and rear and some minor damage to the front air
dam.
Interior
Oyster gray vinyl over the gray carpeted footer is presented in
standard Trans Am door panel configuration for the period, and the
carpet shows a bit of age. Oyster cloth seats are also in standard
configuration and register wear as when the checkered black pattern
begins to merge, as seen on the seat of the driver's side.
Aftermarket covers are available if the new owner chooses to go in
that direction. As is, they are not torn, and the back seats look
fantastic with the screaming chicken embroidered on the center
panel. Gray leather wraps the sport steering wheel mounted on GM's
widely used steering column in front of the turned metal dash where
standard gauges fall in a line and an added Sunpro boost gauge has
been added. Climate controls also fall within the turned metal area
while down lower, an AM/FM/Cassette radio is situated over the
ashtray. Turned metal applique also covers the shifter plate in the
center console followed by window switches and an armrest over the
storage bin, all in great shape. Gray plush carpet covers the floor
and the T-tops look great and so does the frame around them.
Showing a bit of usage, the trunk is lined with a gray mat and has
space saver spare, jack, and T-top covers.
Drivetrain
Under the hood we find a very clean engine bay housing a 301ci V8
with a turbocharger and a 4-barrel carburetor. Driving the rear
wheels is the numbers matching TH350 3-speed automatic transmission
that find 3.08 Positraction gears in the 10 bolt rear. Power disc
brakes are found front and rear.
Undercarriage
Driver quality underneath with plenty of surface rust but no
invasive rust was noted. The exhaust flows into a Y-pipe, then a
pair of stock style mufflers, up and over the rear axle and
existing through the immortal downturned twin tailpipe chrome
splitters. We note a cracked flywheel cover with two significant
holes, but aftermarket parts are readily available for the F-body
crowd. For suspension the car is equipped with coil springs up
front and leaf springs in the back.
Drive-Ability
That factory suspension is enough to provide great handling for the
Trans Am. They may not be the fastest Firebird ever produced, but
they were no slouch in the corners. There's no aggressive turbo lag
with the blown 301, it comes on gradually without fanfare or
unpredictability. Visibility is great and light streams into the
interior through the T-tops. Most items work as expected with a few
demerits. The A/C is not working, the power antenna is inoperable,
the power trunk release does not pop the trunk, and sadly, the
sweet turbo status lights on the turbo bulge do not light up as
this may have been rerouted to the boost gauge.
Here's your opportunity to join the Y85 nation! That's the option
code that got you the turbo pace car package. If you collect Trans
Ams, this is a must. If you collect pace cars, ditto. If you're
looking for a clean second gen Trans Am, this one is worth a look.
Don't get out paced, call the mall today!
2X87TAN130836
2-Pontiac
X-Turbo Trans AM
87-2 Door Hardtop Sport Coupe
T-301ci Turbo V8 4bbl 210hp
A-1980
N-Norwood, OH Assy Plant
130836-Sequential Unit Number
TRIM TAG
01E-5th Week January
2FS87-Pontiac Firebird 2 Door Hardtop Sport Coupe
N08766-Norwood Body #
11L 11U-Cameo White
A51-Bucket Seats
CC1-T Tops
A31-Power Windows
Y85-Turbo Trans Am Pace Car
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collectible vehicles for sale via consignment in a climate
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acres!). The largest single location consignment dealer of classic
and collectible vehicles in the country is located in Morgantown,
Pennsylvania, just 1-hour west of Philadelphia off Exit 298 of the
I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. For more information visit
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anytime for more information or to come see the vehicle in
person.
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