SUMMARY
Restored in 2014Every time an F2 Trans Am pops up for sale, there are inevitable musings about Smokey and the Bandit and coming of age during the 1970s. Well, this time around, we'll spare you the nostalgia trip and get straight to the facts. Simply put: these cars are awesome to drive, look at and be seen in. Their value and desirability continues to rise every year. And if you've ever dreamed of owning one, today is a much better time to buy than tomorrow will be. This particular example is a well optioned '79 model that pairs a 6.6 litre V8 and 3-speed automatic gearbox with factory air conditioning and all the outrageous Pontiac swagger you could ever ask for. Freshly restored in 2014, the car is showroom fresh, offering an authentic driving experience through a roster of correct components. And, if you're ready to cruise the boulevard in one of the most recognizable muscle cars ever assembled, it's your opportunity to seize the day!
BODYWORK/TRIM
After leaving GM's Van Nuys assembly line in the summer of 1979, this Poncho was trailered to Dale Sharp Pontiac in Topeka, Kansas. Thanks to a lifetime of calculated use and meticulous care, the car became an excellent starting point for a professional, ground-up restoration. Correct Solar Gold 2-stage was applied under tough "TRANS AM" call-outs and brilliant Screamin' Chicken decals. And details like black headlight buckets, correct black reveal moldings, correct black tail lamps and familiar wheel spoilers round out classic, pavement-pounding aesthetics.
ENGINE
Naturally, 6.6 litres of GM power back up the car's angry demeanor. Correctly restored and ready to roll, this coupe, like the vast majority of factory-accurate 1979 Trans Ams, is equipped with a 403 cubic inch V8. And, it's pretty easy to identify that Oldsmobile-sourced block since "403" is cast right in to the passenger's side of its iron casing. A big 4-barrel carburetor feeds 4A heads that are equipped with 83cc combustion chambers. Delco Air conditioning is always a welcome addition. Decals and brandings are as fresh as when the car rolled off the assembly line. Everything is neatly wrapped in a striking combination of Satin Black and GM Corporate Blue paint. And, while horsepower numbers aren't exactly off the charts, 320 lb./ft. of torque is more than enough oomph to make this 'bird fly!
DRIVETRAIN/SUSPENSION
Under the floors, a clean chassis visually confirms the car's just finished restoration while hosting a mile-long list of correct components. The 403 V8 entertained only one option for shifting: GM's trusty Turbo-Hydramatic 350 3-speed. That gearbox sends power to a correct GM 10-bolt, which is equipped with a posi-traction differential and highway-friendly gears. Around that rock-solid powertrain, a full F41 suspension, which includes mandatory power steering and thick sway bars, combines with power front disc and rear drum brakes to provide quick stops and great handling. A single-into-dual exhaust system has been upgraded with a Magnaflow converter, Walker Quiet-Flow 3 mufflers and polished side-splitter tips. And, at the corners of the car, requisite 'snowflake' wheels spin 255/60R15 BF Goodrich Radial T/As around correct gold paint and familiar 'gold bird' center caps.
INTERIOR
Behind this Pontiac's massive doors, you'll find a correct Camel Tan interior that's centered in miles of cool trim. Rebuilt seats are comfortably firm, framing a simple, Camel Tan console and chrome GM shifter. In front of those seats, an engine turned instrument panel hangs crystal clear gauges above factory climate control and a reconditioned Delco-GM stereo. Tan carpet, protected by thick floor mats, looks just as good as the car's plush door panels and tight headliner. In front of the driver, a standard Formula steering wheel spins around a tilting column. And behind the passengers, a fresh trunk anchors a Space Saver spare tire under a fresh decklid decal.
OUR SALE INCLUDES THE FOLLOWING DOCUMENTATION
An original build sheetWith its awesome drivetrain, ornate interior and vivid Solar Gold paint, this Trans Am simply can't be beat in the realm of late '70s muscle cars. Factor in a fresh restoration, full documentation and the well-known swagger that only team Firebird can deliver, and you get a truly special cruiser for not a lot of money. If you're ready to put a premium pony car in your collection, don't miss the chance to claim this groovy Poncho!