1979 Pontiac Firebird

The performance car revolution that grew during the 1960s was virtually extinct by the mid-1970s, yet Pontiac's Firebird Trans Am popularity continued to grow, thanks to outstanding handling, bold styling, and potent engines. The growing Trans Am legend was solidified by its impressive street performance, innumerable racing victories, and its starring role in Smokey and the Bandit with Burt Reynolds, Sally Field, Jerry Reed, and Jackie Gleason. In commemorating the Trans Am's 10th Anniversary in 1979, Pontiac released the Y89 'Silver Special Edition' with production limited to 7,500 examples. The exteriors were finished in Metallic Silver with Dark Charcoal and red-and-black pinstripe accents, enhanced by silver-tinted T-roof panels and an enlarged, five-color 'Firebird' hood emblem sweeping from the hood to the leading door edges. Equipped with nearly every factory-available feature, the 40-channel Delco CB radio was one of the few optional extras. The interior was luxurious and well appointed with distinctive silver leather upholstery, matching deep-pile carpeting, and embroidered tri-color 'Firebird' emblems on the seats and door panels. With its steep price of $10,000 retail when new, the 10th Anniversary Trans Am was even costlier than a new Corvette upon introduction.

Pontiac produced 1,817 examples of the 10th Anniversary Special Edition with the top Pontiac 400 cubic-inch V-8 engine, rated at 220 HP and mated to a four-speed manual transmission, while the remaining 5,683 cars received a 185 horsepower, 403 cubic-inch Oldsmobile V-8 engine with a Turbo-Hydramatic three-speed automatic transmission. Rear axles were Safe-T-Track limited-slip units, and performance was further enhanced by the WS6 performance suspension, which was standard on the 10th Anniversary model. Included were 15x8 turbine-style alloy wheels, four-wheel disc brakes, and upgraded suspension components. Pontiac advertised them as 'Very Rare. Very Well Done.' Enthusiasts referred to them as 'TATA,' short for Tenth Anniversary Trans Am. Two TATAs were selected to serve pace car duties for the 1979 Daytona 500.

The 1979 Pontiac Firebird had quad rectangular headlamps in the front that were separated by recessed housings. There was no grille; rather, they had horizontally ribbed lower grilles that went into twin slots below the bumper area. On the outer end were clear park/signal lamps.

The only body style option was a hardtop coupe, though several models were available, including the base, Esprit, Formula, Trans Am, and Trans Am Limited Edition. Pricing began at $4,830 and rose to over $10,500 for the Limited Edition models. The base engine was Buick's 231 cubic-inch (3.8 liter) V-6 mated to a three-speed manual-shift gearbox. They had power steering and FR78 x 15 steel-belted radials.

Esprit models had wheel covers, sport mirrors, and additional body moldings. In total, 30,853 Esprit examples were produced. Formula models sold for just over $6,000 and total production reached 24,851. Powering the Formula models was a 301 cubic-inch V8 mated to an automatic transmission. They had power brakes, a black-accented grille, a non-functional twin hood scoop, and rode on P225/70R15 blackwall SBR tires. They also had Rally II wheels with trim rings and a console.

Trans Am models were powered by a 403 cubic-inch V8 with four-barrel carburetion and mated to a four-speed manual transmission. They also had power brakes, air dam, rear spoiler, chrome side-splitter tailpipe extensions, and 'shaker' hood. In total, 117,108 examples were produced.

by Daniel Vaughan | Jan 2013