Firebird, Trans/am, Pontiac. Pace Car. on 2040-cars

What happens when you take an old school pony car that’s experiencing a huge resurgence in popularity, throw in a rare special edition trim package that’s complete with a unique power plant,  You get this all-original, UN-molested UN-restored collector car. One of only 5,700 cars built to commemorate the first time one car paced both the Indianapolis 500 and Daytona 500 in the same year, this turbocharged Trans Am is some of the most exclusive Pontiac metal ever built  

Turbo Trans/Am came from the factory as fully optioned out cars.

The 1980 Trans Am Turbo ushered in a new approach to traditional Pontiac performance, and the appearances of Pontiac’s wildly successful special edition packages were updated accordingly. At the front of the car, a slick and pliable urethane bumper hangs instantly identifiable Pontiac split grilles below four pristine headlights that are wrapped in correct body-matched surrounds. Behind that bumper a newly designed ‘turbo hood’, which ended a decade long run of top-of-the-line shaker hood equipped Trans/Am, features a left facing firebird decal and an optional three-light turbo system. And at the back of that hood, pristine Soft Ray tinted glass sits below mirror tinted Fisher T-tops which look great. On the front fenders, four-color “Trans Am” call-outs ride under familiar air extractors that are complete with body matched metal inserts. The doors prop GM code 84 Ontario Gray sport mirrors above tape-striped GM handles and correct rear wheel spoilers. And at the back of the car, a contoured D80 rear deck lid spoiler hangs a third four color “Trans Am” call-out above a showroom fresh blacked-out tail light panel and Firebird exclusive side splitter stainless exhaust tips.

Thanks to increasing emissions standards and the 1978 oil crisis General Motors had to seriously re-think its performance vehicles, and that led to some innovative and very creative power plants. Under this Trans/Am turbo-specific hood you’ll find an all-original stamped and “301T” branded turbocharged Pontiac 301 V8 which made substantially more twist than the mighty 6.6 liter it replaced while being significantly more efficient. Originally conceived as an economy offering, the Pontiac 301 was beefed up with a better block design, thicker gaskets, lower compression pistons, a mild camshaft, a rolled fillet crank, a fully baffled oil pan, a unique single plane intake and an electronic spark controller in preparation for a Garrett TBO-305 turbocharger. Once the turbo was installed, it created a waste limited 9 PSI of boost and helped the reborn 301 achieve 236 horsepower and a serious 345 lb./ft. of torque. This engine, Turbo, and Rochester carb was rebuilt to factory specification. Riding below a factory installed heat shield that prevents the paint on the car’s hood from bubbling, that Garrett blower is fed by a high pressure fuel pump, cooled by a high pressure oil pump and breathes through turbo specific exhaust manifolds. At its base, the 301 specific Rochester Quadrajet M4ME 800 CFM carburetor sits in front of a correct HEI distributor which sends power to the cylinders through fresh plug wires. All the hard parts around the motor, from the belt driven accessories to the brake booster and turbo mandated air conditioning appear to be factory original pieces, and every belt, vacuum and hose’s was replaced with new. As far as appearance goes, the car’s clean engine bay and hood are covered in a nice coat of GM satin black which contrasts well to the familiar GM Corporate Blue engine block.

G80 Posi-traction rear end that still maintains its factory 3.08 gears. The original Turbo-Hydramatic 350 3-speed automatic transmission was also rebuilt the same time the engine was. For 1980, the WS6 suspension included larger sway bars, better shocks and springs,  power front and rear disc brakes.

 The cars all-original, fully equipped Oyster interior, builds on the 1980 Trans Am’s increasing list of options. The firm and comfortable seats are nicely patterned pieces that feel every bit as supple as they look for their age, and the original carpet shows wear at the edges. and a low/High/off small switch for cowl mounted turbo lights; and above those seats, headliner is stretched tightly around the cars mirrored T-tops. In front of the driver, an attractive Formula steering wheel spins a gray rim around an optional tilt steering column.

Good quality second generation Trans/Am are hot right now, with the value of clean, unique and factory correct F2s climbing steadily each year. Enthusiasts are turning to these cars to round out their garages, or using them to build entire collections based on fond childhood memories.