1979 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am Coupe
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 1979 Pontiac Trans Am with a black Endura nose and the recipient of a freshening of the exterior, interior, and engine, as we'll learn. Its numbers matching transmission is on board and to what will be the delight of many, is a 4-speed manual.
Note: 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 in 1979 from next to the headlights to under them in a smooth layout that helped with aerodynamics. Our car is coated in fresh two stage Starlight Black enhanced by orange, red, and gold graphics that include the screaming chicken which appears in miniature on the B-pillars. Front wheel flares are tied together with a lower chin spoiler and the inky black 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. Silver edged T-tops break up the black temporarily, but the smoked tops bring back the blend. The 15-inch Pontiac Snowflake wheels have been refinished and the interior cells painted gold, and they're wrapped in 255/60R15 tires with a late 2022 date code. Paint, panel gaps, and decals all look fantastic. One spot of faded paint in the body seam is the only imperfection we note on the exterior.
Interior
Sammy Hagar would approve as this rocker is wearing red on the interior, starting with the vinyl door panels with carpeted lowers in good condition. Buckets seats in front wear their original red Hobnail cloth which as it ages, reveals more of the gray background and as typical, the driver's seat here shows a touch of wear in that way. The other seats, including the passenger bucket and 2+2's in the back, are in great shape. Interior panels, often the subject of fade, have been repainted and look very good. Red continues on the standard T/A steering wheel and the center cap shows some minor cracking which is pretty typical for this soft material that sits in the sun. The dash and its turned metal design within the red vinyl pad looks fantastic and a push button AM/FM radio lives in the center above a storage bin. The tall shifter cants rearward for better ergonomics and only a small slit prevents the center console from being near pristine. The plush red carpet is new and provides a luxurious floor covering while the trunk is barren, clean, and houses a space saver spare.
Drivetrain
Under the hood, the 400ci L78 V8 wears a 4-barrel carburetor surrounded by an air filter that tucks under the shaker hood scoop. This 1971 engine is rated at 300 horsepower. The engine bay presents very cleanly and does not veer from stock appearance. A numbers matching Borg Warner T10 4-speed manual transmission sets this car in motion and the power disc brakes were recently rebuilt and are found on front and rear wheels. They have new master cylinder, booster, lines, calipers, and rotors.
Undercarriage
A new gas tank starts our scan of the underside where we find very clean conditions. The true dual exhaust entered stock style mufflers before they terminated just beyond the rear axle in single pipes with no typical Trans Am splitter present. There is also no catalytic converter. We note a touch of oil on the transmission body but no sign of surface rust or any other errant fluids. The underbody panels are especially clean in their satin black finish. Coil springs are found up front with leaf springs in back.
Drive-Ability
There was a special version of Trans Am called Macho T/A in this era and while they were visually enhanced, it doesn't take but a minute to feel macho behind the wheel of any Trans Am. The sitting position, the long hood in front, and of course that hood scoop bulging above an eagle is just too cool. A pump of the gas and a turn of the key and this T/A rumbles to life and sets us on our way with first gear engaged. Good power, amazing handling, tracking, and braking are all the ingredients of a well sorted car that looks and sounds great. All functions work as intended which puts the joy in joy ride. 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.
70's 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 and say "whew, glad I got in when I did.". This is a fine example, clean all the way around, and ready for a new pilot to ride this bird home.
2W87Z9N122830
2-Pontiac
W-Firebird Trans Am
87-2 Door Hardtop Sport Coupe
Z-400ci 4bbl Pontiac V8
9-1979
N-Norwood, OH Assy Plant
122830-Sequential Unit Number
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