1979 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am

Description

The 1979 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am became one of the most iconic muscle cars of its era, and not just because of its good looks and performance. The '79 Trans Am featured a restyled front end with four square headlamps and a more aerodynamic nose, giving it a modernized look while retaining its muscle car roots. And the car gained massive pop culture fame thanks to the success of Smokey and the Bandit, which helped boost sales. In fact, 1979 was the best-selling year ever for the Trans Am, with over 117,000 sold. 

Under the hood, engine options included the 403 cubic-inch (6.6-liter) Oldsmobile V8 and the 400 cu-in Pontiac V8, though the latter was only available with a four-speed manual and in limited numbers due to tightening emissions regulations. Despite declining horsepower figures compared to earlier years, the Trans Am remained a strong performer and a favorite among enthusiasts. 

This 1979 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am was recently refinished with fresh glossy black paint, gold accents, and the car’s iconic “Screaming Chicken” hood decal, and it also features refreshed seats, dash, door panels, and console. 

Highlights 

• Refinished in black gloss paint with gold accents and “Screaming Chicken” hood decal 

• Refinished interior with tan Legendary (brand) vinyl upholstery with all new memory foam and machine-turned metal dashboard 

• Powered by an Oldsmobile 403 cu-in V8 rated at 185 hp and 320 lb-ft of torque 

• Turbo Hydra-Matic 350 (TH350) three-speed automatic transmission 

• Upgraded Pioneer stereo system with 6.5-inch speakers, tweeters, a built-in 12-inch subwoofer, and amp 

• Custom red lighting in the trunk 

• The chassis number (2W87K9L205739) decodes as: 

  • 2 – Pontiac 

  • W – Trans Am 

  • 87 – Sport Coupe 

  • K – Oldsmobile 403 cu-in V8 (185 hp) 

  • 9 – 1979 model year 

  • L – Los Angeles/Van Nuys (California) assembly plant 

  • 205739 – Sequential production number 

Features 

• Quad exhaust 

• Power steering, brakes, windows, and locks 

• Tan leather-wrapped steering wheel 

• 100 mph speedometer and 8,000 rpm tachometer 

• Cast aluminum snowflake wheels with gold accents 

• BFGoodrich Radial T/A P245/60R15 tires 

Known Imperfections 

• Exterior paint work needs a final buffing on the clear coat 

• A/C needs to be charged and needs a new belt 

• Tachometer does not work 

• Original window motors still function, but the seller says, “These switches are known to be weak on this model; we just replaced both switches but have left them disconnected to ensure the windows stay up during any transport  

Included 

• Jack 

• Keys 

• Owner’s manual 

Ownership History 

The Tennessee seller of this 1979 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am has owned it with his father for 5+ years. The seller says, “From every angle, this 1979 Trans Am is a jaw-dropping tribute to American muscle and movie magic. It looks just like Burt Reynolds' iconic Trans Am from Smokey and the Bandit. The exterior has been refinished in deep, glossy black, with gold accents and trim that echo the legendary Bandit look. The iconic Firebird hood decal makes a bold statement, while every line and contour remains tight, clean, and unmistakably aggressive. The cabin has been fully restored with premium care — refreshed seats, dash, door panels, and console all come together to create a clean, period-correct feel. And then there’s the stereo: a custom sound system that brings this classic into the 21st century. It’s the perfect balance of old-school soul and modern enjoyment, thoughtfully curated, not overdone. The car is 99 percent complete; all the hard work is done, and you get the fun of adding the finishing touches.”