For Sale: 1980 Pontiac Firebird in Morgantown, Pennsylvania

1980 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am

One of the changes to the Trans Am that arrived in 1979 was a redesign of the front nose utilizing a polymer made of closed cell urethane called Endura, which first appeared on Pontiac's 1968 GTO. As Hemmings wrote in 2018, "Perhaps more importantly in the automotive world, it freed up the designer to create essentially any shape and to incorporate the bumper into the car's paint scheme. According to Thomas Bonsall's Pontiac: The Complete History, 1926-1986, the Endura bumper "was one of the great styling innovations of all time because it permitted stylists to blend the bumpers into their frontal styling. Until it came along, front bumpers usually had the look of having been added to a design, rather than being an integral part of it."

For consignment, a 1980 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am with a title verified 44,054 actual miles. 22,254 solid roof Trans Am coupes were built in 1980 and while engine choices included a normally aspirated 301, a 305, or a turbo 301, our car is housing an Olds 403ciV8 from '77-79.

Due to modifications of the emissions control devices installed by the manufacturer, please check your local, state, and federal laws to determine if this vehicle is applicable for use on public highways in your area.*

Exterior
The Endura nose design moved the grille from next to the headlights to under them in a smooth layout that helped with aerodynamics. Our car is coated in single stage Cameo White and the headlight buckets on this car are visually enhanced with black. The rest of the car is augmented with the Solar Gold decal package, one of six colors available in '80 and is most prominent on the screaming chicken which also appears in miniature on the B-pillars. Front wheel flares are tied together with a lower chin spoiler and the bright white coat of the car flows over the three piece rear spoiler and meets the smoked tail lights that flow continuously across the back with the help of a matching door to the gas cap, and it's slightly faded from exposure. The 15-inch Pontiac Snowflake wheels have gold interior cells and they're wrapped in 235/60R15 tires. Imperfections include a few dents, some stress cracking and chipping paint from the nose, some rust bubbles and malformation on a wheel opening, rocker panel, and fender, and some peeling gold on the wheels.

Interior
Camel is the factory palette on the inside starting with the vinyl door panels with carpeted lowers in good condition. Buckets seats in front wear their original Camel Hobnail cloth which as it ages, reveals more of the black background and as typical, the driver's seat here shows some wear in that way. The other seats, including the passenger bucket and 2+2's in the back, are in good condition with a touch of age. Interior panels, often the subject of fade, look good here while Camel continues on the standard T/A steering wheel and smooth center cap. The dash and its turned metal design within the camel vinyl pad looks fantastic and a Pioneer AM/FM/CD radio with AUX and USB lives in the center above a storage bin with some light patina around it. A B&M shifter takes the place of the stock unit, a common mod back in the day. Tan carpet on the floor shows some age but in overall good condition, and is protected with T/A branded carpeted mats, and the modest trunk wears a black cloth floor covering. Our perforated headliner is hanging loose and will need attention.

Drivetrain
Under the hood is a clean looking 403ci V8 with a Rochester Quadrajet 4-barrel carb over an Edelbrock intake, all under the gold painted shaker hood scoop. Behind it sits a TH350 3-speed automatic transmission that routes power to the 10 bolt rear axle. The A/C compressor, drier, and hoses look newer.

Undercarriage
Driver quality underneath with lots of surface rust along with some flaking on the inner rocker panels. A finned differential cover and transmission pan dress things up a bit and only a light film of oil is broadcast over the pans. Dual exhaust flows through Xlerator mufflers on their way to the iconic chrome splitters on each side with no catalytic converter, and power disc brakes now occupy both front and rear. Suspension is standard with coil springs up front and leaf springs in the back.

Drive-Ability
Allow the 403 to breathe a bit with true dual exhaust and it provides decent power and a pleasing exhaust note. The car tracks straight, handles with true F-body prowess, and stops on the dime. All functions on this vintage bird operate just as intended and we fly her back to the mall. 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.

Second gen Trans Ams have wings, not just on the hood, but in the collector market. They're headed to the moon and there's no sign of slowing. Get one now so that in ten years, you can wipe your brow with confidence knowing you got in early. This is a nice example that can be happily driven as is or given a little TLC to bring it up to another level. Either way, it's part of a genre that's growing in desirability.

2W87WAN106749

2-Pontiac
W-Trans Am
87-2 Door Hardtop Coupe
W-301ci 4bbl V8
A-1980
N-Norwood, OH Assy Plant
106749-Sequential Unit Number

TRIM TAG

80-1980
09D-4th Week September
2FS87-Firebird Hardtop Coupe
N030465-Norwood Body #
62B-Camel Cloth
57L 57U-Solar Gold
A51-Bucket Seats
A31-Power Windows
WS4-Trans AM

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!