1979 Pontiac Firebird Coupe 6.6 Liter V8 Automatic Classic Vintage Collector

In 1979, the Trans Am was still an apex predator with nothing else on the road able to match its combination of brute horsepower and striking styling. These are the hot collector cars of the near future as enthusiasts who grew up behind the wheel rediscover their youth, and this handsome and period-perfect example is a relatively unusual piece that's just a blast to drive. Looking for all the world like a clean, well-maintained survivor, this is... one stylish 'Bird. Has it been painted? Yes, but it was about eight years ago and there are obvious signs that this car has been loved from day one. The steel bodywork is straight, the doors fit like they did on the showroom floor, and even ground effects and chin spoiler are in good order with no warping or other issues. Code 69 Heritage Brown was a very popular color in 1979, and it's aged well, with the contrasting gold graphics popping off the dark surface without looking as over-done as some of the other combinations. It's not perfect, but it's extremely nice with an honest look that has nothing to hide, which I think I prefer to outright perfection. All the other Trans Am styling cues look great 30 years later, including the ducktail spoiler, chin spoiler, and blacked-out taillights that stretch across the back of the car. Even the glass still shows a proper light Soft-Ray tint of factory original equipment. For a car famous for wretched excess, the code 74 Doeskin vinyl interior is sporting yet tasteful with the Heritage Brown bodywork. The pleated vinyl seat covers are in fantastic condition for being nearly 40 years old and are wrapped around supportive buckets that hug you in place. Coordinated tan door panels provide continuity, wrapping around into a matching dash with an engine-turned fascia. It appears to be a mostly original interior with a few replacement parts, and it's hard to know where the line is, which is a good thing. All the gauges are crisp and well-marked (only the tach is inoperable), there's a modern AM/FM/iPod stereo radio in the dash, and the A/C blows ice cold. The trunk is also quite tidy with a correct mat and no signs of trouble in the past. You could still get your choice of engines in 1979, but the top performer when linked with an automatic transmission was a 403 cubic inch Oldsmobile V8. Effortless in everything it does, it makes great muscle car sounds and still carries enough horsepower to be a genuine thrill on the street. It's mostly stock save for routine maintenance items and a recent timing chain, and it would be hard to tell anyway since everything is pretty well buried under the air cleaner and hood scoop. A replacement exhaust system sounds suitably aggressive and probably adds a few horsepower at the same time. With the quick-shifting TH350 3-speed automatic gearbox, acceleration is only a gentle squeeze of the accelerator away and the suspension is a good combination of sporting and comfortable. The underside shows off a lifetime in a warm climate and the positively gorgeous "snowflake" alloy wheels are now fitted with fat white-letter radials that are ideal for the car's performance. Very nicely preserved, this Trans Am is a sure-fire future collectable that remains a ton of fun today. Don't wait, call today!