Prices, Specifications & 360° Interactive
Pontiac Firebird Trans AM - Price, Specs and 360° Interactive
Pontiac Firebird Trans AM - 360° Interactive
Pontiac Firebird Trans AM - Key Specifications
Pontiac Firebird Trans AM Specifications
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Type | Muscle / Pony Car |
| Released At | 1969 (Trans AM debut) |
| Built At | Norwood, Ohio & Van Nuys, California, USA |
| Engine | 6.6L Naturally Aspirated V8 (Various Engines by Year) |
| Position | Front-Engine, Longitudinal |
| Aspiration | Naturally Aspirated |
| Block Material | Cast Iron |
| Valvetrain | OHV, 2 Valves per Cylinder |
| Fuel Feed | 4-Barrel Carburetor / Electronic Fuel Injection (later models) |
| Displacement | 400 - 455 in³ / 6.6 - 7.5L (depending on year) |
| Power | 290 - 340 hp / 216 - 254 kW (varies by trim and year) |
| Specific Output | 45 - 51 hp per liter |
| Torque | 529 Nm / 390 lb-ft (approximate) |
| Top Speed | 210 - 225 km/h / 130 - 140 mph |
| 0 – 60 mph | 5.8 - 6.5 seconds |
| 0 – 100 km/h | 6.0 - 6.8 seconds |
| Body / Frame | Unibody Construction with Subframe |
| Driven Wheels | RWD (Rear-Wheel Drive) |
| Wheel Type | Rally II or Honeycomb Alloy Wheels |
| Front Tires | F60-15 / GR70-15 |
| Rear Tires | F60-15 / GR70-15 |
| Front Brakes | Disc Brakes |
| Rear Brakes | Drum Brakes |
| Front Wheels | 15 x 7.0 in |
| Rear Wheels | 15 x 7.0 in |
| Front Suspension | Independent with Coil Springs |
| Rear Suspension | Leaf Springs with Solid Axle |
| Curb Weight | 1650 - 1760 kg / 3638 - 3880 lbs |
| Weight Distribution | Front 55% / Rear 45% |
| Wheelbase | 2743 mm / 108 in |
| Length | 4877 mm / 192 in |
| Width | 1854 mm / 73 in |
| Height | 1270 mm / 50 in |
| Transmission | 4-Speed Manual / 3-Speed Automatic |
| Fuel Economy (Combined) | 15 - 18 L/100 km / 13 - 16 mpg (US) |
| Fuel Capacity | 76 liters / 20 gallons |
Some Interesting Facts
Launched as a High-Performance Version of the Firebird The Trans Am debuted in 1969 as an upgraded, more aggressive version of the standard Pontiac Firebird, featuring handling, suspension, and styling upgrades for enthusiasts.
Named After the Trans Am Racing Series Ironically, the Trans Am name came from the SCCA’s Trans American racing series, even though Pontiac had to pay a licensing fee because the car didn’t actually race in the series!
Famous “Screaming Chicken” Hood Decal The large flaming bird decal on the hood became the Trans Am’s signature look—especially in the 1970s. It first appeared in 1973, and by the late '70s, it was available in gold, red, or blue.
Star of Smokey and the Bandit The 1977 Trans Am gained global fame thanks to Burt Reynolds driving it in Smokey and the Bandit, making it a pop culture icon overnight.
Multiple Generations from 1969 to 2002 The Trans Am spanned four generations, with styling and performance evolving from classic muscle to high-tech sports coupe, before the Firebird line was discontinued in 2002.
455 Super Duty Engine Was a Muscle Car Legend In 1973 and 1974, the Trans Am offered a 455 cubic inch Super Duty V8, one of the last truly high-performance engines of the original muscle car era.
WS6 Package Brought Modern Handling In the 1990s and early 2000s, the optional WS6 performance package added stiffer suspension, Ram Air induction, and unique wheels, turning the Trans Am into a serious performance machine.
Shared Platform with the Chevrolet Camaro All generations of the Trans Am were built on the GM F-body platform, shared with the Chevrolet Camaro, though each had unique styling, tuning, and brand identity.
Turbo Trans Am Used a Buick GNX Engine In 1989, a special 20th Anniversary Turbo Trans Am featured the turbocharged 3.8L V6 from the Buick Grand National, making it faster than the Corvette that year!
Now a Collector Favorite Classic Trans Ams, especially the 1977–1979 “Bandit” models, 455 SDs, and WS6 versions, are now highly collectible, with values rising rapidly among muscle car enthusiasts.
Pontiac Firebird Trans AM (second generation) Price
The second-gen Trans Am is the most iconic iteration, featuring the legendary "Screaming Chicken" hood decal and big-block power.
Here's the exclusive breakdown for 1970–1981 models in the EU:
1. Price Ranges (EUR, Mid-2024)
By Engine & Condition
Base 400/455ci V8 (Non-SD)
Project Car: €25,000 – €45,000(Needs full restoration, common rust spots: floors, quarters, trunk)
Driver-Quality: €45,000 – €80,000(Running, minor flaws, non-numbers matching okay)
Show-Quality: €80,000 – €120,000(Numbers-matching, factory colors like Brewster Green)
455 Super Duty (1973–1974, Ultra-Rare)
Restored: €150,000 – €200,000
Concours/Unrestored Survivor: €200,000 – €300,000+(Only 1,086 built total)
Special Editions
1977–1979 "Bandit" (Black/Gold): €90,000 – €150,000(Smokey and the Bandit tax applies!)
1978 Pace Car Edition: €100,000 – €180,000
2. Key Value Factors
✅ Authenticity
VIN Code: "2W87X" = Trans Am (vs. base Firebird "2W87L")
Original "W72" 400ci (1977–1979): +€20k over standard 403ci
Matching-Numbers Engine/Trans: +30–50% value
✅ Rust & Body
Critical Areas: Rear frame rails, floor pans, lower fenders
T-Top Cars: Check for leaks (add €3k+ for seal repairs)
✅ Provenance
Pontiac Historical Services (PHS) Documentation: Adds €5k–€10k
Celebrity/Ownership History: Bandit-era cars with docs fetch 20%+ premiums
3. Where to Buy in the EU?
Classic Dealers: Classic Trader, Car & Classic
US Imports: Expect to add €8k–€12k for shipping/taxes
Auctions: Catawiki, RM Sotheby’s (for top-tier examples)
4. Market Trends
📈 Appreciation Leaders
455 Super Duty (1973–1974): Up 15% yearly (now €200k+)
"Bandit" T/As (1977–1979): Rising 10% annually
⚠️ Red Flags
Clone Cars: Base Firebirds with TA decals (check VIN)
Non-Original Engines: Deduct 30–50% for incorrect blocks
(Fun Fact: The 1973 SD-455 was so powerful Pontiac had to detune it to avoid insurance backlash!)
Pro Tip: Decode the cowl tag for:
Paint code (e.g., "19" = Starlight Black)
Trim code (e.g., "TA" = Deluxe Trans Am interior)
(Bonus: The "Screaming Chicken" hood decal was almost scrapped – Pontiac execs thought it was too radical!)
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