Photo: Craigslist/autoevolution edits
The Trans Am strategy worked like a charm in the second half of the '70s, with sales increasing gradually until a major record was reached in 1979.
Ten years after the debut of the Trans Am, the car was already the most popular choice in the Firebird lineup. More than half of all Firebirds produced in 1979 were Trans Ams, including the all-new Anniversary Model specifically launched to celebrate a decade on the market.
The Trans Am production reached 117,000 units for the first time in history (of 211,000 Firebirds that rolled off the assembly lines), while the base Firebird gained the runner-up position with over 38,000 cars.
A 1979 Pontiac Trans Am recently emerged from storage, landing on Craigslist with a mysterious offering. The owner decided to let the photos speak for themselves, albeit their quality isn't the best, and they don't help answer several key questions.
The owner says the car is still complete, which is good news for someone planning a complete restoration, but it's unclear how much of it is still original. An all-original 1979 Trans Am is typically very desirable if it's in working shape, but this tidbit is unknown, too, as the seller didn't share powertrain specifics.
The most popular engine choice in 1979 was the L80 403, which was available on all Trans Am versions, including the coupe (non-SE). The 403 was also offered on the Tenth Anniversary model with an automatic transmission. Most Trans Ams produced this year shipped with an automatic gearbox – 105,449 units, so only 11,659 units left the factory with a manual transmission.
The photos suggest this Trans Am has been parked in a storage unit. This is good news because the car has been sitting for 15 years on a concrete floor, so the undersides should be clean – or, at least, exhibit only minor rust damage. The interior also looks good, though the potato-quality photos make it impossible to determine if it'll require major fixes.
Your best option is to contact the owner and arrange an in-person inspection (or order a third-party inspection if going there in person is not possible). Depending on what you find, the $4,900 selling price could make sense, especially considering the car is still complete. However, it all depends on the engine's condition and the bits you can't see in the photos, so the car will first need a thorough cleaning.
It's safe to assume you'll need a trailer to take it home, as its shape doesn't seem to be road-worthy. The vehicle is currently located in Rockford, and the owner says they would also consider other offers, meaning that the $4,900 price is negotiable if you're interested in saving this mysterious Trans Am.
The Trans Am production reached 117,000 units for the first time in history (of 211,000 Firebirds that rolled off the assembly lines), while the base Firebird gained the runner-up position with over 38,000 cars.
A 1979 Pontiac Trans Am recently emerged from storage, landing on Craigslist with a mysterious offering. The owner decided to let the photos speak for themselves, albeit their quality isn't the best, and they don't help answer several key questions.
The owner says the car is still complete, which is good news for someone planning a complete restoration, but it's unclear how much of it is still original. An all-original 1979 Trans Am is typically very desirable if it's in working shape, but this tidbit is unknown, too, as the seller didn't share powertrain specifics.
The most popular engine choice in 1979 was the L80 403, which was available on all Trans Am versions, including the coupe (non-SE). The 403 was also offered on the Tenth Anniversary model with an automatic transmission. Most Trans Ams produced this year shipped with an automatic gearbox – 105,449 units, so only 11,659 units left the factory with a manual transmission.
The photos suggest this Trans Am has been parked in a storage unit. This is good news because the car has been sitting for 15 years on a concrete floor, so the undersides should be clean – or, at least, exhibit only minor rust damage. The interior also looks good, though the potato-quality photos make it impossible to determine if it'll require major fixes.
Your best option is to contact the owner and arrange an in-person inspection (or order a third-party inspection if going there in person is not possible). Depending on what you find, the $4,900 selling price could make sense, especially considering the car is still complete. However, it all depends on the engine's condition and the bits you can't see in the photos, so the car will first need a thorough cleaning.
It's safe to assume you'll need a trailer to take it home, as its shape doesn't seem to be road-worthy. The vehicle is currently located in Rockford, and the owner says they would also consider other offers, meaning that the $4,900 price is negotiable if you're interested in saving this mysterious Trans Am.
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