Remember when these were the kings of the street back in the '80s? Nightly duels between F-bodies and the Mustang 5.0 were the beginning of a new muscle car era, and cars like this 1985 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am were almost universally respected for not only their performance, but for their good looks, too. There was also a brief period when the fourth-generation Firebird was the most aerodynamic car made in America, but that's kind of beside the point. The... truth is, the sucker just looked great, with an aggressive long, low profile and hidden headlights that gave all of us who grew up in the '80s a dream that we could afford. This one is a shockingly unmodified 43,000-mile survivor that is very nicely preserved in its original two tone gray color scheme. The Trans Am got more aggressive lower body cladding, a deeper chin spoiler, and a modest rear wing, all of which remain in excellent condition with no signs of accidents or even curb damage on the chin. GM's paint quality was spotty at best in the '80s, but this one still wears its factory-applied paint and it looks quite good for being 25 years old and the decals in particular are especially well-preserved. There's no giant chicken on the hood, which is kind of a relief, but it does have functional louvers that look cool without being too obvious. Folding headlights give it a clean profile and the special Trans Am taillights are crystal clear. The Trans Am was GM's way of taking the F-body a little up-market, and the handsome two-tone gray cloth interior is full of comfort and convenience options, not to mention a set of comfortable bucket seats. The light fabric is great for cruising because it doesn't get hot like leather does, and it's grippy, so the seats hold you in place during aggressive driving. There's minimal wear, especially considering the age and mileage, and even the door panels and carpets remain in very good condition. All the gauges work properly, the A/C blows cold, and the original stereo still offers an auto-reverse cassette deck (remember those?) and a graphic equalizer, and honestly, it sounds decent. It's also outfitted with power windows and locks, cruise control, a rear defroster, and a tilt steering column, making it one of the most heavily optioned T/As we've seen in a long time. And it's so well-preserved that even the hatch area's carpets are completely unmarked. Nice! Power for this one comes from GM's venerable 5.0 liter V8, one of the first to be fitted with GM's famous Tuned Port Injection system. Since more horsepower was little more than a phone call away, it's remarkable that this one is still 100% stock. It runs beautifully, with a crisp burble from the exhaust and the torque that made these engines famous. It's a bit grumpy when it's cold, which is a common trait in the TPI motors, but it sure looks right down there in the Pontiac's engine bay. It's backed by a 4-speed automatic and a set of highway-friendly 2.73 gears, so it is a very pleasant cruiser with a great snap of acceleration when you bury your foot. The factory exhaust has been upgraded with a straight pipe and the deletion of the catalytic converter, but otherwise the underside is very stock and extremely clean. Untouched F-bodies this nice are either 0-mile museum pieces, abused rattle traps, or have already turned into something else. Consider this one a blank canvas or an investment in your past, and let your imagination roam. Call today!
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