While naturally aspirated V8 engines may be the bread and butter of the traditional muscle car, this Pontiac Trans Am sought to set a new standard with a turbocharged V6 and enough firepower to challenge European exotics of its day. Now, this relatively rare, ultra-low-mile example is up for sale.
For those readers who may be unaware, this particular Pontiac Trans Am is one of 1,555 limited-edition models that not only celebrated the 20th anniversary of the Pontiac Trans Am nameplate, but also served as an Indy Pace Car replica, as demonstrated by the graphics applied to the doors. However, while this thing definitely looks good, it’s what’s under the hood that really gets the attention.
Mounted behind that wedge-like nose is a turbocharged 3.8L V6 gasoline engine similar to the ‘six that powers the Buick GNX, albeit with a few key differences. The heads, for example, are a little smaller to clear the shock towers (although compression was still 8:1) while the AiResearch T3 turbo included a beefy all-metal construction. The oil cooler was also a bit larger.
Regardless, the V6 was rated at 250 horsepower and 340 pound-feet of torque, both numbers considered to be grossly underrated. Properly applied, the 1989 20th Anniversary Pontiac Trans Am Turbo had enough giddy-up to sprint to 60 mph in about 5 seconds and cruise through the quarter mile in the mid-13-second range. Even by today’s standards, that’s pretty quick. In 1989, it was Ferrari territory.
Output is sent rearwards though a four-speed automatic transmission, while the suspension spec includes coil springs, Delco gas-charged shocks, and four-wheel disc brakes. The whole thing is riding on 16-inch alloys with an attractive gold mesh design, while a sharp rear spoiler complements the aggressive aesthetic.
All told, this particular 1989 20th Anniversary Pontiac Trans Am Turbo is utterly immaculate, showing a mere 178 miles on the clock. Now, it’s up for sale from Restore A Muscle Car in Lincoln, Nebraska. No pricing details are included in the listing, but considering the quality and condition of what’s on offer, we’re willing to bet it won’t come cheap.
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Comments
Wow! Sweet ride!
That is a left nut car, as in I would sell my left nut to have it.
Someone needs to enjoy this car. Apparently the last guy didn’t.
He is one of those who just when his buddys come over they pull the cover off and sit in lawn chairs and gaze at it and say yup yup yup.
In the summer of 90 there was one without T-tops, which many years later I found out was around 1 of 60, at below invoice price and I thunk about and said no I am not paying a note on a summer car. DOH
most of them were put directly into mothballs, really too bad GM nixed these things, they could have really made the firebird it’s own animal so to speak. base motor a 200 hp 3.8 and the TA a euro killer with good aerodynamics to boot. Delorean would have been so proud.
Where is the 6-speed manual transmission? Doh!
In my opinion this is the most beautiful car ever built.
I think so too, That’s why I got one! (ONE Owner= ME)
Awesome time capsule! It’s nice seeing these old F-bodies finally getting some love. ‘82-‘92 F-bodies have been climbing in value. This one could crest the $50k mark
I remember test driving one of these back in the day. This definitely has more than 250HP.
I had a new white Trans Am back in 86 but lost it after only 4 months due to a driver running two red lights and totaled my car. Loved that car.
These cars have been under valued for a long time. While everyone freaks out over a GN this car was the best chassis the engine was ever put in.
Add to it the limited production and the fact it was a Pace car should set it apart.
This was just one of many pace cars people bought and put away thinking they would get rich. Well they never did. It is just now showing a privy on these cars so they are moving it.
I still find no mile 78 pace cars that folks said would be 6 figures by now and they aren’t. Same on the number of low mile Fiero’s too.