The 1979 model year was the best release in Trans Am history from a sales perspective. Pontiac produced and sold more than 117,000 units, with the Trans Am becoming the clear leader of the Firebird lineup.
The base Firebird was far behind in the runner-up spot with 38,642 units, while the Esprit was third with 30,853 units. The Formula was the least popular Firebird version in 1979, with 24,850 cars.
While the anniversary Trans Am was the main highlight this year, Pontiac tried to make every version of the car as intriguing as possible. Every piece of equipment in the lineup was offered as standard on the Trans Am, so customers who ordered a model could only pick the engine.
The Trans Am could be had with a choice of three engines. The L37 301 V8 was available in all Trans Am versions except the Tenth Anniversary, while the W72 400 and the L80 403 could be ordered by any Trans Am buyer.
The Trans Am in these pics rolled off the assembly lines with a 403 block under the hood, and the chances are that the same unit is still in the engine bay today. The car has spent the last two decades in hiding, with the owner explaining on Craigslist that they pulled the car recently in good shape.
The V8 engine still starts and runs with gas directly in the carburetor, but mechanical fixes are still required. The carburetor leaks, so you’ll need a good mechanic to inspect what happens under the hood and determine the fixes you’ll need to put the car back on its wheels.
The owner explains that this Trans Am “needs everything a car that’s been sitting that long needs,” so you should start with a thorough cleaning before anything else. I can spot some rust in the photos, but the damage seems to be only on the surface. It is still recommended that you inspect every inch of metal thoroughly and, if possible, put the car on a lift to check out the undercarriage. The condition of the floors depends on many things, including the garage surface where the vehicle has been sitting. If the Trans Am was parked on a concrete floor, you shouldn’t expect much rust, albeit you’re recommended to contact the seller to discuss additional details.
It’s unclear how much of this Trans Am is still around today (if the car is complete) and whether the vehicle remains original.
The selling price makes it an easy sell, and I doubt the Trans Am will remain available for long. The owner hopes to get $5,500 for the car, so go see it in person and bring your trailer to take it home.