1979 Pontiac Firebird Trans-am £16,995
Its relatively rare manual transmission makes this a more handson version of an American icon, says Rob Scorah
The wheelarch flares, deeper spoilers and the ‘screaming eagle’ on the bonnet mark this Pontiac Firebird out as a Trans-am. A closer look at the Seventies script tells us this is ‘just’ a 4.9-litre car – the smaller engine introduced for this model year. But peer through the window and you’ll notice this example, unlike 90% of its sisters, has a four-speed manual ’box.
The car’s bodywork appears largely in good shape – the deep blue metallic paint remains consistent across metal and plastic parts. There are blemishes – a chip to the corner of the front bumper, peeling to the finish of the chrome strips and thumbnailsized scuffs to the top coat here and there – but there is no fading. The dealer has re-applied the phoenix bonnet decal, which had been incorrectly lacquered over in the past. There are no developing rust spots. The underside of the car looks solid and the boot floor remains firm – not the case with so many of these.
The Pontiac looks straight side to side, with lids that fit flush and consistent door and panel gaps. Nor do those big doors sag when they’re opened. Handles and door furniture are firmly mounted – no play or rattles on opening and closing.
The cabin isn’t in the most appealing colour – a kind of burnt caramel – but everything is present, straight and functional. The velour retains its pile and colour, as do the carpets, and the interior is clean. The turned aluminium-style dash is in good shape and contains a period radio.
The car had been in storage for 25 years. The owner put it up on blocks, wheels off, to do some minor maintenance and never quite got it out again. There it remained until he died and the Trams-am was sold to the present dealer. Consequently, the car comes with no real history.
Under the bonnet all looks standard. It’s difficult to make a Firebird’s engine bay look neat, but all ancillaries, cables and hoses look fit-for-purpose and there are no signs of leaks or overheating. Fluids are clean and at the right levels.
This is the non-turbo 4.9 engine. It starts with a guttural cough but quickly settles to that characteristic American V8 burble though less basso profundo than the 6.6. Pleasingly, there’s no rattle or chatter from oil-starved hydraulic tappets.
The clutch is moderately weighted and the gear change itself is a little baulky and notchy, with quite long movements to change cogs. There’s still something quite satisfying about the response, though the drivetrain isn’t beyond momentarily locking up the diff if it thinks your footwork is too clumsy.
Attacking the highway with gusto – though perhaps not as much pace as the noise suggests – the car is rattle- and smoke-free. It’s a bit cavalier in its attitude to corners but always fun.
Trans-am values are strengthening and this a solid example that has managed to avoid a lot of English winters.