1979 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am 10th Anniversary

The fuel-efficient future called for smaller displacement engines and smaller vehicles. More bad news—at least for fans of the last American muscle car standing. Through the 1970s, the 6.6-liter Pontiac Trans Am had been the lone heavyweight, but before the party ended, Pontiac served up one last round of the top-shelf stuff and called it "The 10th Anniversary Limited Edition". Along with its special paint treatment, graphics, wheels, and more, this would be among the last of the Trans Ams offered with the "T/A 6.6" 400 engine. As a collectible car from the 1970s, the anniversary Trans Am stands out in terms of desirability and value. The 400 version, sold exclusively with a Borg-Warner Super T-10, is the scarcest, and typically commands the most money.

For consignment, a 10th anniversary edition of the 1979 Pontiac Trans Am. Purchased in Elmira, NY, clearly always garage kept and our consignor has enjoyed taking this anniversary bird to car shows but now has decided it's someone else's turn to take over the reins. This shining silver dollar sports an Oldsmobile 403ci engine with the TH350 speed and 4bbl carb, all numbers matching along with some special graphics and interior options and happy 10th anniversary. With the original build sheet all consignor stated original paint it's time for us to say “Pop” goes the champagne!

NOTE: Due to modifications of the emissions control devices installed by the manufacturer, please check your local, state, and federal laws to determine if this vehicle is applicable for use on public highways in your area.

Exterior
The big news in '79 was the anniversary Trans Am in a never before seen silver and charcoal scheme with a "super bird" on the hood—so called because its wingtips extended onto the tops of the front fenders. A new cast-aluminum turbo wheel design measuring 15 x 8 inches was employed, and on this example are looking very nice! As for the rest of this machine, it shows square deep inset headlights which float above the lower dual opening grille in a darker charcoal gray neoprene with some red pinstripe highlighting on its edge. Below is a silver chin spoiler that wraps around to the front lower fender. Upper front quarters have a vent to circulate more air into the engine bay. The hood has the graphic and it's near perfect in condition. A removable lightly smoked and mirrored glass T top is seen, and a green house glass curved rear window slopes down to the trunk lid and deck. On back is a small spoiler which is above a horizontal ribbed panel that stretches from side to side and houses the taillights and sports a TRANS AM badge in red and charcoal knockout type. Below is another neoprene bumper in charcoal gray and encircled by some more pinstriping. Dual chrome exhaust tips peek out from under the rear quarter on both sides. Definitely a looker and probably one of the best right up there with the Bandit edition of yore. We do note some chips in the lower fairings and a sizable dent at the bottom of the driver's door edge, but this is the consignor stated original metal and paint.

Interior
I'm seeing silver stars for the interior rating with smooth silver padded door panels, a red piping framed insert with a stitched “super bird'' in it in black with red thread accenting. Gray carpeting below and a shiny power lock toggle just above the insert actuator. Inside sleek silver leather buckets with high backs and integrated headrests have aged nicely with little discoloration and wrinkling. In back is a snazzy 2 plus 2 bench and as we go to the dash through the buckets, we can ride along a gray center console with a storage box/armrest, chrome power window rocker switches, and the shifter housing. Reminiscent of earlier versions the dash uses a machined swirl aluminum insert with a lineup of round gauges surrounded by dark gray vinyl padded dash. Below is an Audiovox AM/FM/Cassette radio, the ash receptacle and a small storage cubby. A gray leather ringed rally steering wheel is fronting this machine age styled dash, and on the floors is some very clean non faded non soiled carpeting. I do notice a more discoloration on the back of the bucket tubs, and the interior B pillar coverings, but otherwise very nicely preserved.

Drivetrain
Under the “Superbird” decal scooped hood sits a 403ci V8 in numbers matching condition. These shaker scoop equipped 4-barrel carb engines were paired with the TH350 3-speed automatic, also number matching, which throws power back to a 10-bolt 2.73 gear limited slip rear axle. Fly away Jack!

Undercarriage
Just as snazzy as the topside with some surface rust on the usual suspects, (axle, driveshaft, leaf springs, some exhaust tubes), but the floor pans and rockers remain in their heavy black undercoating form. J65 power disc brakes are on all 4 corners and a stock exhaust, sans catalytic converters, is on with dual tips on either side as their crescendo on the rear quarters.

Drive-Ability
It's always a blast from the past to drive one of these classics and this car did not disappoint! Smooth acceleration, smooth automatic shifting, and smooth bias free braking form those discs. A smooth operator that flies just like its hood graphic and all functions operating as they should.

Quite the thing of beauty in its silver and platinum dress, and a hint of red and black pin striping as accenting. The Olds 403ci V8 with the automatic transmission makes driving this car a breeze, which you will certainly feel with the T top panels off and flying along at amazing speed. Eat your heart out similar year Corvette owners…

2X87K9N158293

2-Pontiac
X-Trans Am 10th Anniversary
87-2 Door Hardtop Sport Coupe
K-403ci 4bbl V8 185hp
9-1979
N-Norwood, OH Assy Plant
158293-Sequential Unit Number

TRIM TAG

03C-3rd Week March
79 2FS87-1979 Firebird 2 Door Hardtop Sport Coupe
N169791-Norwood Body #
152-Silver Leather
15L16U-Platinum Poly Lower, Dark Charcoal Upper
A51-Bucket Seats
CC1-Cruise Control
A31-Power Windows
Y89-Trans Am 10th Anniversary

Classic Auto Mall is a 336,000-square foot classic and special interest automobile showroom, featuring over 850 vehicles for sale with showroom space for up to 1,000 vehicles. Also, a 400 vehicle barn find collection is on display. This vehicle is located in our showroom in Morgantown, Pennsylvania, conveniently located just 1-hour west of Philadelphia on the I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. The website is www.classicautomall.com and our phone number is (888) 227-0914. Please contact us anytime for more information or to come see the vehicle in person.