1979 Pontiac Firebird

1979 Pontiac Trans Am for sale! Motorcar Classics is pleased to present a striking combination of style and performance, finished in sleek black over a light saddle interior. Powering the car is the L80 403-cubic-inch (6.6-liter) Oldsmobile V8 engine, factory rated at 185 horsepower and 315 lb-ft of torque. The engine is paired with a 3-speed Turbo Hydra-Matic automatic transmission, providing smooth and robust power delivery that made the Trans Am as comfortable on the boulevard as it was capable on the open road. Showing 52,162 miles, this example benefits from an older restoration that retains its original commanding presence and crisp lines.

As one of the final iterations of the second-generation Trans Am, the 1979 model year represents a pivotal chapter in Pontiac's muscle car history. It marked the transition away from the high-compression big blocks of the early '70s toward more refined, torque-oriented performance designed to meet tightening emissions regulations. Among enthusiasts, the 403-powered Trans Am remains highly collectible for its blend of dependability, drivability, and unmistakable late-'70s character.

Adding to its allure is the instantly recognizable graphics package, headlined by the massive Screaming Chicken hood decal that came to define Pontiac's bold identity of the era. Officially known as the Trans Am Hood Decal (option code WW7), this flamboyant symbol was first introduced in the early 1970s and quickly became the most iconic graphic in American car culture. Its stylized flaming wings, designed under the direction of GM artist Norm Inouye and championed by designer John Schinella, transformed the hood into a work of art representing rebirth, speed, and defiance. By 1979, the decal reached its peak forma broad, colorful phoenix with its wings stretching across the hood cementing the Trans Am's status as a cultural and stylistic icon.

While critics once mocked the graphics as excessive, the public embraced them passionately, seeing the hood bird as a proud emblem of individuality and power at a time when performance cars were fading. The black paint paired with gold and red-accented decals created one of the most visually striking appearances of the decade, famously immortalized on screen and now deeply tied to the American motoring psyche.

Combined with its contrasting light saddle cabin, automatic transmission, and low mileage, this Trans Am offers not only the thrill of late-'70s muscle but also the visual drama that defined Pontiac's performance lineup. Few cars from the period balance power, personality, and cultural heritage as perfectly as this 1979 Trans Ama true symbol of style, strength, and the era that celebrated both. Your inspection is invited!