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 large missing 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.
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