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Restored 1979 Pontiac Trans Am SE Headed To Mecum Indy Auction

In response to the wildly popular Ford Mustang, the Chevy Camaro bowed in late September of 1966, debuting GM’s new F-Body platform. Five months later, Pontiac released the Pontiac Firebird. The Trans Am Performance and Appearance package debuted in March of 1969, lifting its moniker from the Trans Am racing series. Just 689 hardtops and eight convertible Pontiac Trans Am units were built for the 1969 model year.

Side-view image of the 1979 Pontiac Trans Am SE heading to auction.

As government emissions standards and Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standards killed the big power muscle cars of the 1960s and early 1970s, the Pontiac Trans Am gave auto enthusiasts some measure of hope. The Trans Am 455 Super Duty made more power than the 454-powered 1974 Chevy Corvette. The 6.6-liter 1977 Trans Am that was the real star of Smokey and the Bandit gave the T/A a sales boost in 1978, exceeding 93,000 units, and in 1979 sales would pass that of its corporate cousin the Chevy Camaro for the first time, with 117,078 Trans Ams crossing dealership floors.

Our feature 1979 Pontiac Trans Am has been the subject of a comprehensive rotisserie restoration completed just last month. It is one of 1,107 Trans Ams with the Y84 Special Appearance Package and its matching-numbers 400 cubic-inch V8 backed by the original Borg Warner Super T-10 four-speed manual transmission. It is also equipped with the WS6 Performance Package including power four-wheel disc brakes and front and rear heavy-duty sway bars.

The Trans Am is finished in Starlight Black with the Deluxe Decal and Pinstripe package over a Camel Tan cloth interior. The undercarriage and engine compartment have both been restored with the correct paint colors and finishes. New Snowflake wheels and center caps come courtesy of Year One, and are shod in reproduction raised white-letter Goodyear Polysteel Radials. The Trans Am is equipped with a factory-look stereo with USB and MP3 ports, original gauges with LED lighting upgrade, Hedman Shorty headers that feed into Pypes 2.5-inch Street Performance exhaust, a Cold Case heavy-duty radiator, Ridetech Suspension body and subframe bushings, and a power trunk release. Pontiac Historic Society documentation and a reproduction window sticker are included in the sale.

This stunning 1979 Pontiac Trans Am will cross the Mecum Auctions block at their Indianapolis Fall Special taking place October 5th through the 7th.

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Comments

  1. ANY 1979 TA with the Pontiac 400 is a great find. They were only available with a 4 speed. I believe that they used previously available inventory of the 400, and when that was gone only the 403 Olds automatic was used till the end of the model year. I tried to order the 400 in March of 79 and it was already too late.

    Reply
    1. Interesting info on the 1979 version.

      I had a 1978 Trans Am with the TA 6.6 but I specifically ordered the 4 spd manual. I seem to recall you could get the auto with that engine in 1978 but I could be wrong? Teamed with the WS6 suspension it was a joy to drive.

      Like this restoration car, I ordered no AC but unlike like this car I didn’t want t-tops either. I basically wanted the lightest, fastest affordable car you could buy new at the time. The Vette was out of my range and I needed more than two seats. This car fit the bill perfectly.

      Reply
      1. You could get the automatic with the 400 in 78. I had a Bandit T/A WS6 with it.
        I had a lot of fun in that car. I would love to have that car, but no A/C doesn’t work where I live.

        Reply
    2. My ’79 arrived 12-26-78. Like this but black (vinyl?) interior, no T-tops, minimum striping, no molding on doors. Dealer was able to order retractable CB/AM/FM antenna without 2-way. I installed one I liked better. Aluminum dash and gauges was best part of interior. Sold in 1993 to specialty dealer who took it to car shows.
      This was the beginning of separate cars and separate checking accounts and a 51 year marriage so far.

      Reply
  2. I had one of these,one of the quickest cars I have had,nice car here but a lot of things very wrong with the restoration

    Reply
    1. Starting with the ride height?

      Reply
    2. How are there a lot of things wrong? Everything looks to be correct

      Reply
  3. A college friend of mine drove one of these.

    Reply
  4. I had the 1978 Firebird 400…understated Trans Am…GORGEOUS!
    It was a ticket magnet! Had to sell it to avoid losing my license.
    This is beautiful in black.

    Reply
    1. I had a 79, with the Old’s 403. Me a Corvett and a Porsche were racing down the highway, passed a speed trap, one cop pulled all three of over, and let all go, guess he was really cool, or he just didn’t want to do the paperwork.

      Reply
  5. I had a 79 TA purchased brand new in March 1979. The only way to get the 4 speed was to order the 301 cubic inch 4 barrel and not the standard engine, the 403 Oldsmobile V8. The 301 was actually a delete option. I got a $50.00 credit by ordering the 301. Only 150 hp. A joke by today’s standards but much fun to drive. Cost $7300 plus tax.

    Phil Marinelli, Barrie, Ontario, Canada.

    Reply
  6. Have seen this car finished. The Father and Son team do impeccable work. It’s a Beauty.

    Reply
  7. This is the exact 1st car I ever owned!! It was lean & mean!! No muscle car could keep up with me, light to light or on the freeway!!! Would Love to have this!!

    Reply
  8. I still own a 79 403 Olds automatic. Most of the car is is still original. I want to restore it and maybe boost the power. I bought it from my aunt in 86 and she was the original owner. She took me everywhere in this car when I was a child. It is very dear to me. I live in Southern. California. Any suggestions on who I should go to for a resto?

    Reply
    1. Send me your number I can restore it for you

      Reply
    2. Send us your contact information and we can do the same refurbish as this car. Thanks.

      Reply
  9. This is an awesome car I wish Pontiac would come back.

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    1. Obamo said the GM/Pontiac div had to go for no good reason except street rodders were having too much fun so the profitable Pontiac div was dumped….

      Reply
  10. Sounds good. But please send me ur contact business info and we can discuss details.

    Reply
  11. I had one of these just like that with no t-tops but it was the 403 motor and automatic transmission. Y84 code “four wheel disk brakes and large sway bars. Power steering and brakes without air conditioning. My ex took it in the divorce.. I miss that car so much.

    Reply
  12. Now that is a beautiful car. Of all the many things we have lost during the 2000’s Pontiac stung me the most followed by Oldsmobile. Now we are losing 4 more muscle car icons the Camaro, the Charger and Challenger and of course the 300. Truly a sad time to be a car guy!!!!

    Reply
  13. I had a white 77 Trans Am with gold interior and honeycomb wheels – I prefer the front end on the 77/78 to the later models. It was awesome! However, when I was at work, my (now) ex-wife took it to a male “friends” house on a dirt road, and bottomed it out, losing all the oil and burning the engine up. She never could explain to me how that “Robin” she was visiting turned from a female friend to a male friend, or why she was out there while I was working. Needless to say, both our marriage and the car was totaled.

    Reply

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