Sales of Pontiac’s Trans Am collapsed in 1980, with the carmaker selling just little over 50,000 units – down from 117,000 cars in 1979.
Pontiac struggled to keep the Firebird a compelling model, and the 1980 model year witnessed several significant changes, including the debut of the 301 V8 turbo unit. The company offered the new engine on Formula and Trans Am, and all models featuring it came with an asymmetric hood design. Pontiac came up with this idea because it installed the air cleaner on the right of the engine, whereas the turbo was fitted on the left.
The new Indianapolis Pace Car fitted with a turbo V8 was Pontiac’s superstar for this model year. Produced to pace the Indy race, this special-edition Trans Am sported a white finish with special decals on the hood to highlight the turbo engine.
The carmaker produced 5,700 units, all fitted with an automatic transmission.
One of them is here, looking for a new home after spending 35 years in a museum. If you wonder how a 1980 Trans Am has been sleeping in a museum, the answer comes down to two reasons.
First, the car is one of the few 1980 Pace Cars still alive today, flexing a literally mint condition that is otherwise impossible to find. Most other Pace editions I’ve seen in the last few years were projects or restored models. Second, this Trans Am is entirely original, immaculate inside and outside, and sports just 3,500 miles (5,600 km) on the clock.
The Trans Am is a new car in every single regard. It has never been restored, and everything is in working condition. It doesn’t require any fixes, and this makes perfect sense, given it spent most of the time inside the museum.
Talking about how gorgeous this Trans Am continues to be is a waste of time, as the photos in the gallery speak for themselves, but collectors should probably know where this is going. The selling price isn’t a surprise, so whoever wants to take this small piece of automotive culture must pay a small fortune.
The car can be yours for $150,000, but eBay seller tufadapters has also enabled the Make Offer button. You’ll probably get the car a little cheaper if you have strong negotiation skills, but don’t expect to obtain a hefty discount anyway. This Trans Am is a rare example of beautifully preserved automotive history, so in addition to the car itself, you’ll also get the complete documentation since new, including the owner’s manual, the build sheet, and other receipts.
If you want to see it in person, you can either go to the museum or pay a visit to the owner in Valparaiso, Indiana.