1979 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am SE

Description

In the late '70s and early '80s, the Pontiac Trans Am was on a popularity roll! Burt Reynolds made a black one famous as the Bandit, and they were widely regarded as the last true muscle car on the planet. As you can probably tell from our extensive list of sold inventory, these cars are back and more popular than ever. And the upswing in value and collectability for pristine, well-documented examples shows no signs of slowing. Astute buyers are seizing the opportunity to sign papers on their childhood dream cars before prices really begin to rise. And this Special Edition 'bird, with its long list of options and numbers-matching W72/4-speed powertrain, is the perfect investment for a savvy buyer who wants to stash back one of the hottest prospects on the market!

According to the build sheets included with Poncho's sale, it was assembled on December 19th, 1978 in Van Nuys, California with the following optional equipment.

• AU3: Power door locks
• A01: Tinted glass
• A31: Power windows
• A51: Bucket seats
• A90: Power trunk release
• BS1: Insulator pack
• B22: Door pad emblems
• B89: Black backlite molding
• B97: Front and rear wheel spoilers
• CD4: Pulse wipers
• C49: Rear window defogger
• C60: Air conditioning
• D34: Visor mirror
• D35: Sport mirrors
• D53: Hood decal
• D55: Console
• D80: Rear spoiler
• F41: Rear stabilizer bar
• GU5: 3.23 gears
• G80: Posi-traction axle
• J65: 4-wheel disc brakes
• K15: Fuel vapor return lines
• K81: 63 amp generator
• L78: 400 cubic inch V8 that's fitted with a 4-barrel carburetor
• M21: 4-speed transmission
• NA5: Standard emissions
• NK3: Formula steering wheel
• N33: Tilt steering column
• N65: Space Saver spare tire
• N90: Gold cast aluminum wheels
• QGR: 225/70R15 white letter tires
• TR9: Lamp Group
• T93: Black tail lamps
• UN9: Radio Accommodation Package
• UP8: Rear speakers
• U05: Dual horns
• U17: Instrument panel gauges
• U25: Luggage compartment lamp
• U27: Glove box lamp
• U28: Ash tray lamp
• U29: Courtesy lamp
• U35: Electric clock
• U58: AM/FM stereo
• U75: Power antenna
• U80 Dual rear speakers
• VK3: Front tag bracket
• WS4: Trans Am
• WS6: Special Performance Package
• WV6: Gold graphics
• W72: Performance Package
• Y84: Black Special Edition
• 19I: Black trim
• 19X: Black Interior
• 19L: Black exterior paint
• XXX: Customer order

Partially restored by McLaughlin Trans Am Museum in early 2014, this highly optioned classic is a 21K-mile garage queen that currently features better-than-new aesthetics. Exceptionally maintained throughout its entire existence, the car wears 100% original sheetmetal that's as solid and straight as the day it left the showroom. Because those factory panels have never received any major repairs, they still display correct fit and finish that's surprisingly precise. And that alignment squares under correct Starlight Black two-stage and bold Screaming Chicken call-outs that create some of the most recognized muscle car war paint of all time.

Decidedly loud and unabashedly proud, this sinister F2 combines traditional Pontiac attitude with purposely flamboyant detailing. At the front of the car, slick and pliable urethane hangs pristine headlights above large air intakes which, while still being instantly identifiable as Pontiac's familiar split-grille face, give the car an increasingly aggressive appearance. Behind that face, a traditional shaker hood, proudly branded with W72-exclusive “T/A 6.6” decals, founds spotless Soft Ray glass in correct black frames. At the sides of that shaker, chrome door handles and familiar fender vents ride between striped sport mirrors and correct wheel spoilers. And at the back of the car, a requisite trunk wing leads the eye to black-trimmed tail lamps and exclusive side-splitter exhaust tips.

Pop this coupe's colorful hood and you'll find an original, 400 cubic inch Pontiac V8 that, like all '79 W72s, is actually a leftover from 1977. Utilizing a better casting, chrome-moly rings, a revised cam, a better oil pump and smaller '6X' heads from Pontiac's own 350, the W72 increased compression and successfully reversed almost a decade of declining horsepower numbers. Not only does this particular 6.6 carry a correct partial VIN and '79 W72/4-speed-exclusive “PWH” assembly stamp, it's also branded with a XX481988 casting number and September 22nd, 1977 casting date. At the top of the mill, a correct Quadrajet 4-barrel funnels wind and fuel in to a GM Corporate Blue block that's fitted with satin valve covers and original, cast iron exhaust manifolds. At the back of that block, a high performance distributor shoots power through thick Packard Delcore Electronic Suppression cables. All the hard parts around the motor, from Delco Air climate components to decals and signature Satin Black fenders, appear to be factory fresh. And items like stainless fuel lines, pliable hoses and correct tower clamps ensure that reliability matches appeal.

Behind that engine, a straight and clean undercarriage tells the story of 35 years of excellent caretaking. A W72-exclusive Borg Warner T10 4-speed, which wears a matching partial VIN and October 6th, 1978 build date, sends power to a GM 10-bolt rear end. As you can see from the build sheet, this awesome Trans Am is equipped with Pontiac's legendary WS6 Special Performance Suspension; including larger sway bars, better shocks and springs, a tighter steering box and new-for-1979 power disc brakes. In the middle of the car, a single-pipe exhaust system barks through brash turbo mufflers. At the corners of the car, correct 'snowflake' wheels spin 225/70R15 BF Goodrich Radial T/As around pristine 'gold bird' center caps. And all this Pontiac's hardware and bushings appear clean, lucid and ready to tear up the road!

Swing this 'bird's infamously long doors and you'll find a correct Black interior that displays hardly any signs of wear. The firm bucket seats are standard pieces that feature heavy duty vinyl covers. Between those seats, a clean console centers chrome power window switches behind a chrome Hurst shifter. Below that console, weather-free carpet is protected by heavy duty floor mats. Opposite that carpet, a stain-free headliner flows toward optional rear speakers. In front of the driver, an engine turned dash hangs crystal clear gauges and a correct AM/FM stereo behind a tilting Formula wheel. At the sides of the passengers, Trans Am-branded door panels feature chrome power door lock switches. And behind the cockpit, a restored trunk sandwiches a correct Space Saver spare tire between correct decals and a carpeted mat.

Like all of our investment grade offerings, this Poncho features extensive provenance. Here's a short list of everything that's included with the car's sale:

• Two original build sheets
• An original Owner's Manual
• Original factory supplements
• A 1981 photo of the car
• Miscellaneous paperwork and maintenance receipts
• Pontiac Historic Services documentation

High quality second generation Trans Ams are red-hot, with the value of clean, factory-correct cars climbing steadily each year. Enthusiasts are increasingly turning to these classics to either round out their collections or simply relive the sweet memories of childhood. With its numbers-matching, pure Pontiac powertrain, fantastic aesthetics and long list of options, this has to be one of the nicest F2 Trans Ams we've ever offered!