1979 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am SE

Description

Pontiac seemed to be the last automaker to get the news that the horsepower wars were over. This real Y84 code 1979 Trans Am SE is proof enough. Still packing the Pontiac 403 cubic inch V8 that made Trans Ams so special, it was wrapped in the all-black package made famous on the big screen by Burt Reynolds. Today, these cars are seeing a strong surge in values, no doubt driven by nostalgia as buyers finally find the disposable income to buy the cars of their childhood dreams.

This is an extremely nice Code 19 Starlight Black example that's been repainted to a high-level and looks as beautiful in real life as it does in our pictures. Bodywork is very straight, which is critical in a black car, and gaps are good all around. Even the deck lid spoiler fits well, something that was hard to get right, even when the cars were new. Same with the urethane bumpers, which are typically cracked or warped, issues that are simply not present in this black beauty. And love it or hate it, the gold firebird decal on the hood was the car's defining styling element, and it is in excellent shape, as are the rest of the decals which show no signs of flaking, checking or peeling. It's got a few minor signs of age, of course, but the way these cars are growing in popularity every year, it wouldn't take much to bring it back up a notch and cash in, and if you've been waiting your whole life to own one, this is a great choice. T-tops are a rite of passage for any T/A and taking them off on a sunny day might attract more attention than you can handle. But then again, that would mean you own a Trans AM, and a Trans AM owner can handle anything.

Black was the interior of choice with an all-black Trans Am, and it looks simply amazing in this car. The cloth seats are supple and comfortable, and there are no splits or tears anywhere in the interior, a sign of a professional restoration that will last a long time. Door panels are also excellent, and the carpets are undamaged by the sun or any wear-and-tear. The original gauges are all functional and live inside a dashboard dressed up by Pontiac's traditional engine-turned panel that's gold-toned to complement the striping on the exterior. An upgraded Pioneer AM/FM/CD/AUX head unit, factory A/C (needs major components installed to be operable), cruise control, a tilt steering column, power windows and locks, and a console round out the impressive list of equipment in this Trans Am. And despite being a T-top car, the interior is largely free of the squeaks and rattles that often plague the open cars and the roof panels fit quite well. The trunk is outfitted as the factory did it, including a space-saver spare with jack assembly.

You could still get your choice of engines in 1979, but the top performer when linked with an automatic transmission was a 403 cubic inch V8. Effortless in everything it does, this matching-numbers V8 makes great muscle car sounds and still carries enough horsepower to be a genuine thrill on the street. Aftermarket heads, an Edelbrock intake and 4-barrel carb, and chrome valve covers appear to be the only deviation from stock, and it would be hard to tell anyway since everything is pretty well buried under the "6.6 Litre" embossed air cleaner and hood scoop. An H-pipe dual exhaust system sounds suitably muscular and still uses a catalytic converter, so it should be good to go in all 50 states. With the quick-shifting TH350 3-speed automatic gearbox, acceleration is only a gentle squeeze of the accelerator away and the suspension is a good combination of sporting and comfortable, aided by the reliability and comfort of power front disc brakes and power steering. The underside shows off a lifetime of clean living and those beautiful oversized "snowflake" alloy wheels are now fitted with 245/45/17 (front) and 275/40/17 (rear) Toyo performance radials.

Heavily documented with PHS documentation, a factory buildsheet, reproduction window sticker, and original owner's manual, this black-on-black Trans AM SE is one special bird. Pedigreed cars in this condition never last, call today!