1979 Trans Am – What is it Worth
 

I have a friend Steve who has decided to sell his 1979 Trans Am. I am not really up on current pricing so I thought I would run it by more knowledgeable people.
The car was purchased new by a GM employee who decided to sell before the winter as he also had a new Blazer. Car was sold sight unseen to the second owner who was in the Navy. He never drove the car and sold it to Steve in December 1980 with 7k miles. Here is a brief description:
- Has been driven every summer and now has 112k miles. Runs and drives like new.
- Olds 403 and TH350 are untouched. A new exhaust was installed probably in the early 90’s.
- Originally a black car, now has a dark metallic brown painted in 1987 and still looks presentable
- Tan interior is original but needs work. Dash is not cracked and in good shape.
- Shows no signs of any rust. It is believed the first owner did not drive it in winter. Steve did pick this up in Saginaw MI in December 1980 and drove it home and then out west where he was stationed. It is believed that is the only winter exposure the car has seen.
What do you guys/gals think? Steve is looking for a fair number and wants it to go to a good home.

A couple more pics.

15-18k. Being a factory black car helps... but color change detracts. 79's don't bring 77-78 money.

This should help with recent auction values...

https://bringatrailer.com/search/?s=...ntiac+trans+am

My $$$ knowledge is a zero, but since they axed the AC system, and the engine looks like a typical untouched oil leak mess under the hood, those 2 things would bring the price down...

Are the AC parts with the car???

I agree with the 79's being priced less than the 77-78's, and the 403 bringing it down even more. Although nothing wrong with having a 403, my opinion. I'd always prefer a REAL Pontiac engine, LOL, even in a Ford.

While Barrett Jackson was in town in January I listed my '79 10th Anniversary locally on CL and FB for $26k. Other than being an original TATA, I'd say it was in nearly identical condition (maybe nicer on the interior). I got about 10 calls on it (2 or 3 of whom were in town for the auctions), and a couple of $20k cash offers. I ended up selling it for $21,500 to a guy who was looking for a car like that to replace the first car he bought new.

I wouldn't be surprised if 71GP76TA's $15-18k estimate turns out to be pretty accurate.

I think the $15-$18k is a pretty good range based on the pictures. Even at that price someone would be under water if they fixed everything and painted the car.

I would agree in that car should sell for $15k-$18k. If he wants to be fair and let it go to a good home, list it for $17,500 and be prepared to take $15k. It may sell fairly easily at the former. A very nice brown 78 4 speed just sold on bat for around $30k which is about right. That seems to be a very nice, solid car for the money, just not something in the high dollar range yet.

I am no expert but I would put 20k and list all the options it has like power windows, power locks, cruise control, WS6 four wheel disc and dash with no cracks. Still could be talked down to 15k but car looks solid and does not have rust in the usual spots like the four corners or trunk.

Not trying to knock this car but, and I could be wrong, but judging from the one pic showing the underside it doesn't look like it has rear wheel disc. If that's the case then it has the wrong wheels. But on the upshot it does have fisher T-top. I wouldn't sell that car for less than 20K and I would have to strapped for cash at that price. Even with a color change, if there really is no rust, that's worth a lot to me. Steel patches suck !!!

Thanks all for all of the replies. Here are answers to some of the questions.
- Missing AC system components are long gone. Probably would like to have them back.
- Car is solid with no rust
- Car has rear disc brakes
Thanks again. Kevin

These cars have definitely gone up this year along with, well, everything else lol..

But don't ever assume auction prices for extremely limited, hyper low mileage time capsules will reflect on run-of-the-mill cars.

Yes I would say 15-18k sounds about right look's like a nice car. Brian

Pontiac made roughly 1/4 Million 1979 Trans Am's. There are plenty around. This car has factory Cruise, which is cool if its all there. To get someone on the road and cruisin' 18- 20 seems right, BUT, rust free cars sell for more on the east coast.

Being that it is all original sheet metal and no rust I would start at 22k. A guy brought a black rust bucket into the local shop that needed everything - he paid 15,500 and was super excited about it. It was nowhere near as nice as this car.

You can always tell the 4 wheel disc cars because of the smaller rounder power brake booster. Pontiac made 30,000 403 t-top cars so I doubt there are very many left especially in that condition. Most Trans Ams you find now a days have cracked dashes, interior in shambles, gauges not working, rust holes in the front fenders, rear quarters rust underneath the rear flares and rear impact bumper rust going into the trunk and not to mention t-tops leaking onto driver and passenger floor boards. Once again just highlight all that is correct and stock with that car and hard to beat it up to much. This would make an excellent car to drive and restore slowly, heck make into a tribute Y84 car. The missing AC evaporator will be the biggest pain to add back into TA.
I would also look for the build sheet, just look behind back seat and I bet it is there. Documentation is pretty important to a lot of people.