Vehicle Description
1979 Pontiac Firebird 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 1970's, the anniversary
Trans Am stands out in terms of desirability and value. The 400
version, sold exclusively with a Borg Warner Super T10, is the
scarcest, and typically commands the most money.
For consignment, one of the 1,817 10th anniversary editions of the
1979 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am. This shining silver dollar sports a
rebuilt 400ci Pontiac engine with a change from the factory super
T10 to a TH350 speed and 4bbl carb. Some special graphics and
interior options and happy 10th anniversary. With the original
build sheet, T-tops with their storage bags and 82,899 title
verified 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 and black 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 mirrored 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 and
black 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 stone chips in the finish
and a largemissing paint chip on the rear bumper.
Interior
I'm seeing silver stars for the interior starting 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 is below and a shiny power lock toggle is parked
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 a JVC AM/FM/Cassette radio for
your auditory 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 carpeting. One thing I notice is no
discoloration on the back of the bucket tubs, and the interior B
pillar coverings. Overall a very nicely preserved original
interior.
Drivetrain
Under the "Superbird" decal, scooped hood sits a rebuilt and
correct 400ci Pontiac V8 mill. These 4-barrel carburetor engines
were originally paired with the Borg Warner Super T10 4-speed
manual, but that crashbox has been replaced with a more driver
friendly TH350 3-speed automatic which throws power back to a
10-bolt rear axle. Fly away Jack!
Undercarriage
Just as snazzy as the topside with some surface rust on the usual
untreated suspects, but the floor pans and rockers remain in their
factory black undercoating with only a light spray of road dirt.
Power disc brakes are on all 4 corners and dual exhaust and
FlowMaster mufflers, sans catalytic converter, is on with dual tips
on either side as their crescendo on the rear quarters. Keeping
this bird from taking flight is independent coil spring suspension
up front and leaf springs in the rear.
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 and the
only frowns noted were a clock that didn't keep time and the AC,
while blowing cold, could be colder due to the compressor cycling
on and off. Possibly a sign of low freon. While Classic Auto Mall
represents that these functions were working at the time of our
test drive, we cannot guarantee these functions will be working at
the time of your purchase.
Quite the thing of beauty in its silver and platinum dress, and a
hint of red and black pin striping as accenting. The rare Pontiac
400ci 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...
2X87Z9L164437
2-Pontiac
X-Trans Am 10th Anniversary
87-2 Door Hardtop Sport Coupe
Z-400ci 4bbl V8
9-1979
K-Los Angeles, CA Assy Plant
164437-Sequential Unit Number
TRIM TAG
03B-2nd Week March
79 2FS87-1979 Firebird 2 Door Hardtop Sport Coupe
L196684-Los Angeles Body #
152-Silver Leather
15L16U-Platinum Poly Lower, Dark Charcoal Upper
A51-Bucket Seats
CC1-Cruise Control
Classic Auto Mall is home to more than 1,000 classic and
collectible vehicles for sale via consignment in a climate
controlled 336,000-square foot showroom (that's more than 8
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
www.classicautomall.com or call us at (888) 227-0914. Contact us
anytime for more information or to come see the vehicle in person.
There is no guarantee of mileage. A $299 Dealer Administrative fee
is not included in the advertised price.
With so many great cars, you know we have a lot to talk about, and
we do that each week on the Classic Auto Mall Podcast with host
Stewart Howden. Stewart discusses new inventory as well as trends
in consignments and car prices, while interviewing celebrities and
automotive professionals about amazing cars and their history. Tune
in each week to the Classic Auto Mall Podcast wherever you enjoy
listening. You can also watch on YouTube!
