In the late 1970s and early 1980s, Pontiac was looking to capitalize on its participation in American motorsports with special-edition versions of the Pontiac Trans Am, such as the 1980 Trans Am Indy Pace Car and 1981 Trans Am NASCAR Edition. Both of these vehicles were virtually identical, featuring black-over-white exterior paint schemes and other model-exclusive performance equipment.
One of these relatively rare 1981 Pontiac Trans Am NASCAR Edition models was recently listed for sale via Russo & Steele’s online classifieds section. The auction house says the car it is selling “is a well-documented survivor,” that has original paint and decals and is being sold with original factory sales literature, owner’s manuals and the factory window sticker.
In addition, the turbocharged 4.9L V8 engine is all-original, as is the three-speed automatic transmission. While not nearly as hot as the 455 cubic-inch V8 that was once found in older versions of the Pontiac Trans Am, the turbocharged motor was still relatively powerful, producing a healthy 210 horsepower and 345 pound-feet of torque.
This car has traveled just 37,000 miles since it left the Pontiac plant back in 1980. It is also one of only 2,000 Pontiac Trans Am NASCAR Edition models to have been produced in 1980, making this a fairly rare piece of General Motors racing history.
Russo and Steele describes this car as being “priced to sell” at a reasonable $34,500. Check out the listing at this link for more photos and information.
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Comments
This 1981 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am demonstrated how difficult it was to design and build a high performance sports cars in the bad old days as this turbocharged 4.9L V8 was only capable of generating 210 horsepower (42.86 hp per liter); General Motors Ecotec LWC 1.6L DOHC-4v 4-cyl turbo makes a healthy 200 hp (125 hp per liter); imagine dropping a LT4 650 hp supercharged 6.2L V8 before adding a bottle of nitrous oxide injection into the 1981 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am.
The redesigned 82′ Firebird had the “bulge” on the hood for one thing, turbo 301 clearance, that option was months away from dealers when IMO “Team Vette” had the T 301 axed. Imagine the performance the T/A received if the T 301 got the same treatment as the Buick 3.8 T from 84′-87’…
You said it was a 1981 then a 1980. Make up your mind. I say 1981.
It is an 81. There were 3 similarly designed cars. The 79 10th Anniversary Edition which was silver with charcoal gray color on top and was the only model with the bird that extended over onto the top of the fenders. The 80 Indy Edition which was white with charcoal. The 81 was the Nascar Edition which was white with black on top. The 79 came with two engine and trans combinations. A 403cid with automatic and the 400cid with 4 speed manual. The 80 and 81 were all 301cid turbo cars with automatics. All are nicely designed special editions. I have a collection of all 3 along with a 79 Bandit Edition as well.
When will you be giving us an update on the reproduction of the AVALANCHE?
The writer said it was produced and left the factory in 1980. He never said it was a 1980 model year. New model years come out early as we all know. So to correct the other commenter. This is a 1981 model that was produced in 1980. Nuff said.
I had one brand new I give anything to be able to have another one I’m just old and disabled and don’t have the money to afford one now the only car I ever wished I didn’t sell I put a bigger turbo on it when it was 2 years old I put twin turbos on it below the motor got another one quarter Park brand new rebuilt it the way I wanted it back in 1984 I was making close to 500 horsepower which is about 350 to the Wheels wheels
In this car handle like you wouldn’t believe you’d have to drive an 81 trans am to understand how well they handled people can talk about the low horsepower they have they might get their ass kicked in a straight line if you start going around terms and not much to keep up with it
I to bought one brand new in 81 ($18,000), on the straight wasn’t great but it would walk away from Corvette’s in the corners. Clover leafs at 65mph where no issue.
I can’t see where to purchase, already have one, but looking to trade up