1980 Pontiac Firebird Turbo Trans Am Pace C 1980 Pontiac Firebird Turbo Trans Am Pace Car

1980 Pontiac Firebird Turbo Trans Am Pace Car

In 1989, Pontiac squeezed a turbo Buick engine into 1,555 Trans Ams for the 20th year anniversary edition that paced the Indianapolis 500 without engine mods needed. Not only was this not Pontiac's first pace car assignment, it was also not their first foray into turbocharged engines. That happened nine years earlier for the 1980 model where an exhaust driven AiResearch TB0305 turbocharger bumped horsepower to 210 from the normally aspirated 301's output of 140 hp.

For consignment, a 1980 Pontiac Firebird Turbo Trans Am with a special pace car paint scheme, and designation printed on the doors. For the turbo version, Trans Am's notorious shaker hood was replaced with an asymmetrical flowing rise in the hood, a great design that was so good, it would reappear in the next generation of Trans Ams.

Exterior
The base for the special paint and decal treatment begins with Cameo White enhanced with gray paint on the grille surround of the Pontiac's Enduro nose and a twin pinstripe encircling the gray. Also in front, white headlight bezels replace the standard black and the screaming eagle's fiery breath flows over the turbo bulge while gray paint floods the area over the bird, then drifts over the roof and shoulder line of the car. The pinstripes pick up color from the bird and circle the car, including the rear window, while the back bumper cover picks up the gray. Even if you don't like Trans Ams, there's no denying the beautiful design which our car wears well. The 15x8-inch turbine wheels were used on other Trans Ams, but only the pace car received white ones. Imperfections on this car are reserved mostly for flex cracks in the Enduro bumper cover paint, front and rear and some minor damage to the front air dam.

Interior
Oyster gray vinyl over the gray carpeted footer is presented in standard Trans Am door panel configuration for the period, and the carpet shows a bit of age. Oyster cloth seats are also in standard configuration and register wear as when the checkered black pattern begins to merge, as seen on the seat of the driver's side. Aftermarket covers are available if the new owner chooses to go in that direction. As is, they are not torn, and the back seats look fantastic with the screaming chicken embroidered on the center panel. Gray leather wraps the sport steering wheel mounted on GM's widely used steering column in front of the turned metal dash where standard gauges fall in a line and an added Sunpro boost gauge has been added. Climate controls also fall within the turned metal area while down lower, an AM/FM/Cassette radio is situated over the ashtray. Turned metal applique also covers the shifter plate in the center console followed by window switches and an armrest over the storage bin, all in great shape. Gray plush carpet covers the floor and the T-tops look great and so does the frame around them. Showing a bit of usage, the trunk is lined with a gray mat and has space saver spare, jack, and T-top covers.

Drivetrain
Under the hood we find a very clean engine bay housing a 301ci V8 with a turbocharger and a 4-barrel carburetor. Driving the rear wheels is the numbers matching TH350 3-speed automatic transmission that find 3.08 Positraction gears in the 10 bolt rear. Power disc brakes are found front and rear.

Undercarriage
Driver quality underneath with plenty of surface rust but no invasive rust was noted. The exhaust flows into a Y-pipe, then a pair of stock style mufflers, up and over the rear axle and existing through the immortal downturned twin tailpipe chrome splitters. We note a cracked flywheel cover with two significant holes, but aftermarket parts are readily available for the F-body crowd. For suspension the car is equipped with coil springs up front and leaf springs in the back.

Drive-Ability
That factory suspension is enough to provide great handling for the Trans Am. They may not be the fastest Firebird ever produced, but they were no slouch in the corners. There's no aggressive turbo lag with the blown 301, it comes on gradually without fanfare or unpredictability. Visibility is great and light streams into the interior through the T-tops. Most items work as expected with a few demerits. The A/C is not working, the power antenna is inoperable, the power trunk release does not pop the trunk, and sadly, the sweet turbo status lights on the turbo bulge do not light up as this may have been rerouted to the boost gauge.

Here's your opportunity to join the Y85 nation! That's the option code that got you the turbo pace car package. If you collect Trans Ams, this is a must. If you collect pace cars, ditto. If you're looking for a clean second gen Trans Am, this one is worth a look. Don't get out paced, call the mall today!

2X87TAN130836

2-Pontiac
X-Turbo Trans AM
87-2 Door Hardtop Sport Coupe
T-301ci Turbo V8 4bbl 210hp
A-1980
N-Norwood, OH Assy Plant
130836-Sequential Unit Number

TRIM TAG

01E-5th Week January
2FS87-Pontiac Firebird 2 Door Hardtop Sport Coupe
N08766-Norwood Body #
11L 11U-Cameo White
A51-Bucket Seats
CC1-T Tops
A31-Power Windows
Y85-Turbo Trans Am Pace Car

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