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Worth the Effort? 1980 Pontiac Trans Am Emerges With Bad News Galore

1980 Trans Am 39 photos
Photo: eBay seller vanparts4less
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The Trans Am was a money-making machine during the '70s, peaking at over 117K sold units in 1979. Pontiac started the decade with disappointing numbers, barely selling 1,286 Trans Ams in 1972, but the numbers rapidly gained traction, more than doubling with every new release.
Unfortunately, the 1980 model year witnessed a massive decline in Trans Am sales. Pontiac sold only 50,896 units, and the model continued its drop a year later when only 33,493 Trans Ams rolled off the assembly lines.

It doesn't mean the 1980 Trans Am was no longer a compelling car. It was, and the T-Top posted on eBay by seller vanparts4less is here to support this claim.

You don't have to be a professional restorer to observe the issues on this Trans Am. The car has likely been sitting for years, so its desire to return to the road is a major challenge, especially if the goal is a complete return to factory specifications.

Let's start with the obvious and highlight the metal problems. The owner admits the car will need new floors and a new trunk, and this could be a sign that the Trans Am has been sitting on the ground, possibly outside. The chassis is allegedly in good shape, and "all critical areas are intact." The windshield is cracked, and opening the door reveals a sad sight.

The entire interior is missing, so you'll have to start from scratch in the cabin. The previous owner ripped out the interior, likely as they installed it on another Trans Am, making the car's return to the road even more challenging.

You won't get much better news under the hood. The car no longer has the original engine, so a 1974 Pontiac 400 is now in charge of putting the wheels in motion. However, its condition isn't the best, but it shows signs of life if you pour gas in the carb. It'll require a thorough check and possibly a new fuel pump and a rebuilt carburetor, but a good mechanic will get a clearer picture with a quick inspection.

The Trans Am no longer qualifies for a restoration to factory specs, but it could make for a gorgeous daily driver or restomod. The pricing makes sense, though its rough shape could make many people walk away. The owner expects to get $5,000 for the Trans Am, but they also enabled the Make Offer button, hoping someone likes the car and is willing to take it home at a lower price.

The Trans Am is parked in Northampton, Massachusetts, and you'll obviously need a trailer to take it home, considering its shape. The listing will expire in eight days, so you have enough time to contact the seller and discuss all the details before committing to a purchase.
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About the author: Bogdan Popa
Bogdan Popa profile photo

Bogdan keeps an eye on how technology is taking over the car world. His long-term goals are buying an 18-wheeler because he needs more space for his kid’s toys, and convincing Google and Apple that Android Auto and CarPlay deserve at least as much attention as their phones.
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