17,664 Original Miles
Manual Transmission
6.6L 4bbl 400ci V8
220 hp @ 4000 RPM*
320 lb/ft torque @ 2800 RPM*
Capable 0-60 MPH: 6.7 seconds
1/4 Mile: 15.3 sec @ 96.6 mph
MSRP in 1979: $8,169
*Seller Asking:
$25,500
Fast Facts:
- For 1979, cars with the W72 Performance Package (shown here) could only be paired with the Borg-Warner Super T-10 4-spd manual. 50 MPH could be reached in 1st gear, while 3rd gear is good for 99 MPH – this means 4th gear isn’t needed for a 1/4 mile run
- The final year of the legendary Pontiac 400. For 1979, the Pontiac T/A 6.6L 400 engine could only be had with the 4spd, while the slightly less powerful Olds 403 was solely paired with an automatic. The 403 can be identified by the oil fill tube sprouting out toward the front of the engine bay
- The 403, while also a 6.6L, was considered a small block V8 and was meant to sit below the top-dog W72 400ci Pontiac engine. The 403 came with the largest bore ever found in a small block V8 (4.351″). The bore was so massive that there was no space for coolant passages between the cylinder walls (the walls were “siamesed” together like a Chevy 400 small block). This required the cooling system to be functioning at 100% to avoid any overheating
- One of the coolest stand-out features of the ’79 model is the smoked full-length rear tail light lens matched with a larger rear spoiler
- ’79 cars came with taller rear gearing (3.23:1). While this hurt off-the-line acceleration, it increased the top speed by a noticeable amount, as Car and Driver found out when they took one to 132 MPH. This occurred at 5400 RPM which surpassed the car’s 5000 RPM redline
- The Firebird wasn’t known for its speed, however. A large Car and Driver comparison test in 1979 famously crowned the Pontiac Trans Am as the best handling car in America, surpassing even the Corvette (with its fully independent suspension). And while the Z28 was the Firebird’s twin, the Camaro had understeer dialed in thanks to smaller rear sway bars. The Firebird had bigger bars and higher rate rear springs that neutralized the understeer
- Contrary to popular belief, the flaming bird on the hood (referred to by some as the “screaming chicken”) was never standard on any model year Trans Am, except for on special edition cars, anniversary, and pace cars. For all other Trans Ams, it was merely an option
Key Model Year Changes:
- ’79 changes are almost all cosmetic, except for the rear end gearing, which was now a taller 3.23:1 for fuel economy
- The rear tail light lens cover now stretches from corner to corner, and is tinted
- A new, more aerodynamic 22 degree nose replaces the old 16 degree nose. The new front end look has 4 recessed headlights and two grilles
- Intake air is now sucked in from underneath the bumper, where the air is cool and fresh
- A deeper front spoiler is more resistant to curbing and parking lot dips. Bigger wheel air deflectors are added to match
- All exterior brightwork is now a low gloss black
- Larger rear spoiler and re-designed rear bumper
- New tires from last year’s WS6 package
- Floor mounted headlamp dimmer switch moves to the turn signal stalk
- Redesigned seats
- New power “Tri-Band” antenna (AM/FM/CB)
Seller Notes:
- 17k documented original miles
- Dark blue
- numbers matching high performance engine and 4spd trans
- W72 Performance package
- 1 of 364 Factory 4 Speed Formulas ever produced
- Removeable roof
- Driven on a regular basis. Runs and drives exceptionally well
- No known issues
- Rides tight, drives strait down the road, does not run hot, and drives like a new car
- Engine bay shows a lot of originality and several original factory markings, factory vacuum lines, factory decals/stickers, and factory tags are still in place
- Contact seller through Craigslist below (link will be removed once Craigslist ad is deleted/expired)
- Location: New York, New York – (more photos below)
- SOLD – Update: Seller’s Autotrader ad has been deleted (sold or removed from market)
– Click for shipping quote –
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*SAE rated from factory. May not reflect current output.
*Performance numbers pulled from either the factory brochure or reputable automotive road tests.
*Base price when new does not reflect original MSRP of this particular car, nor does it reflect what the original owner paid for it.
*Advertised price at time of posting. Sellers can raise or lower prices on their original ad at any time. Click on the original ad to view current price/availability.
*Performance numbers pulled from either the factory brochure or reputable automotive road tests.
*Base price when new does not reflect original MSRP of this particular car, nor does it reflect what the original owner paid for it.
*Advertised price at time of posting. Sellers can raise or lower prices on their original ad at any time. Click on the original ad to view current price/availability.
Mileage Disclaimer: NOC has not confirmed if the mileage stated by the seller is true and accurate. It is up to the buyer to verify these claims. Vehicle history reports, service records stating mileage, and even inspections of odometer tampering are recommended.
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