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1989 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am Coupe

  • Chassis Number: 1G5FW2177KL246794
This is a Pontiac Trans Am GTA Pace car and one of just 1,555 built. It was the fastest GM car available and 2nd only the Ferrari F40 in speed that year. Power was from a turbocharged V6 engine and was the only Pace car made until 1989 that did not have to have modifications and an altered engine.

This particular car is all-original - perhaps the most original example in existence. It has just 1,492 miles on the odometer.

The 20th Anniversary Trans Am takes just 4.6 seconds to reach 60 miles per hour. Its V6 engine is turbocharged and has a history that dates back to the gas crisis of the early 1970s. Buick introduced a new 3.8-liter turbocharged V6 motor to the United States public in 1978. It has a simple blow-through carburetor setup and a 3-speed automatic gearbox. The engine offered 175 horsepower making it faster than most every other American car of its era. There were several shortcomings to this setup, however, particularly the 3 gears did not allow adequate time to take advantage of the turbochargers narrow blown powerband. The turbo-lag was terrible.

In 1982, Buick introduced its Regal Gran National, named after the NASCAR Gran National series. Under the hood was a 4.1-liter V6 or an optional carbureted V6 engine fitted with a turbocharger. This was a nice evolutionary step, but it was clear more was needed.

In 1984 a sequential multi-port fuel injection version with electronic controls was introduced, offering 200 horsepower and 300 lb-ft or torque. This gave the G-body Gran National a respectable zero-to-sixty mph time of about 6 seconds.

Over the next three years, the engine was continually refined and improved. In 1986, the engineers added an intercooler, boosting power to 235 horsepower. In 1987, power rose again to 245 bhp. The Gran National was now capable of racing to 60 mph in 5.4 seconds.

Production of the G-Body, RWD Gran National ended in 1987. But before its departure, Buick introduced the GNX, a very limited production example of the GN. In total, just 547 examples of the GNX were produced. They were built by ASC/McLaren and powered by a high-performance Garrett turbocharger with a ceramic impeller, improved intercooler, revised engine management calibration, high performance transmission valving and free-flow exhaust. With this potent powerplant, horsepower rose to over 275 and torque was rated at 360 lb-ft. Completing the package included larger tires, special alloy wheels, rear axle torque arm and panhard bar, plus added frame stiffening were standard fare for the beefed-up GNX package. There was a full load of factory options including additional front fender vents to aide in engine cooling, and an analog gauge instrument panel and logo package.

The GNX was fast. It could outpace a Countach, Testarossa, and the Porsche 911 Turbo. The only car faster in North America was the Ferrari F40.

In 1988, General Motors discontinued the rear-wheel drive G-body and replaced it was a front-drive W-body. The Buick Turbo V6 program came to an end as the FWD transaxle setup could not handle the torque produced by the turbocharged V6 engine.

Since Buick did not have a suitable platform for their performance engines, the motors were sent to the Pontiac division. In 1989, the Trans Am was selected to pace the Indianapolis 500. In total, 1,555 examples of the 20th Anniversary Trans Am models were produced. All of the cars were painted pearl white with a tan interior.

The Turbo Trans Am was lighter and more nimble than the GNX. The V6 engine was also given a few modifications over the GNX, including a new intercooler, tubular exhaust manifolds (offering better spooling), a tuned aluminum intake manifold, plus sever other enhancements.

The turbocharged V6 engine was officially rated at 250 horsepower and 340 lb-ft of torque. In reality, power output was much higher - in the vicinity of 300 bhp and 400 lb-ft of torque. Weighing just 3,340 lbs, the Turbo Trans Am (TTA) was capable of racing to 60 mph in approximately 4.6 seconds. (The factory claimed it was a 5.4 second car with a top speed of 161 mph).

Production Automotive Services, Inc. (PAS) handled the assembly of the engines with the final assembly being done in the F-body plant in Van Nuys, Ca. Visually, the Turbo Trans Am were very similar to the standard Trans Am models. The major interior difference was a turbo boost gauge integrated into the tachometer. Other obvious differences were the '20th Anniversary' and 'Turbo' badging.

These special Trans Am models were around for just a year, and during that time 1,555 examples were produced.

By Daniel Vaughan | Jun 2014

2018 Barrett-Jackson : Las Vegas

Sale Price :
USD $29,700

2014 Russo & Steele - Scottsdale

Sale Price :
USD $37,505

1989 Pontiac Firebird Auction Sales

Recent Sales of the Pontiac Firebird

(Data based on Model Year 1989 sales)
1989 PONTIAC FIREBIRD FORMULA
Chassis#: 1G2FS21F9KL254525
Sold for USD$5,500
  2024 Barrett-Jackson : Scottsdale AZ
 
1989 Pontiac Firebird Formula
Chassis#: 1g2fs21e2kl263980
Sold for USD$17,600
  2024 Mecum : Kissimmee
 
1989 Pontiac Firebird Formula
Chassis#: 1g2fs2180kl245035
Sold for USD$18,150
  2024 Mecum : Kissimmee
 
1989 Pontiac Turbo Trans Am 20th Anniversary Pace Car Edition
Chassis#: 1g5fw2177kl245452
Sold for USD$55,000
  2023 Mecum : Harrisburg
 
1989 PONTIAC FIREBIRD TRANS AM INDY PACE CAR
Chassis#: 1G5FW2175KL240105
Sold for USD$64,900
  2023 Barrett-Jackson : Scottsdale, Az.
 
1989 PONTIAC FIREBIRD TRANS AM 20TH ANNIVERSARY TURBO
Chassis#: 1G5FW2175KL239441
Sold for USD$73,700
  2023 Barrett-Jackson : Scottsdale, Az.
 
1989 Pontiac Turbo Trans Am 20th Anniversary
Sold for USD$33,000
  2023 Mecum : Kissimmee
 
1989 Pontiac Trans Am
Sold for USD$28,600
  2022 Mecum : Dallas
 
1989 Pontiac Turbo Trans Am Pace Car Edition
Sold for USD$29,700
  2022 Mecum : Orlando
 
1989 Pontiac Turbo Trans Am Pace Car Edition
Sold for USD$31,350
  2022 Mecum Indy
 
1989 Pontiac Trans Am GTA
Sold for USD$13,200
  2022 Mecum Indy
 
1989 PONTIAC FIREBIRD TRANS AM 20TH ANNIVERSARY PACE CAR
Chassis#: 1G5FW2170KL242358
Sold for USD$82,500
  2022 Barrett-Jackson : Scottsdale, Arizona
 
1989 Pontiac Turbo Trans Am Pace Car Edition
Sold for USD$33,000
  2022 Mecum : Kissimmee
 
1989 Pontiac Firebird Formula
Sold for USD$25,850
  2021 Mecum : Orlando
 
1989 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am
Sold for USD$37,000
  2021 GAA : July 2021
 
1989 Pontiac Turbo Trans Am 20th Anniversary Pace Car Edition
Sold for USD$33,000
  2021 Mecum : Indy 2021
 
1989 Pontiac Turbo Trans Am 20th Anniversary
Sold for USD$26,400
  2021 Mecum : Indy 2021
 
1989 Pontiac Turbo Trans Am Pace Car Edition
Sold for USD$30,250
  2020 Mecum : Indy
 
1989 Pontiac Turbo Trans Am 20th Anniversary
Sold for USD$40,150
  2020 Mecum Auctions : Kissimmee
 
1989 Pontiac Turbo Trans Am Pace Car Edition
Sold for USD$32,450
  2019 Mecum : Chicago
 

Pontiac Firebirds That Failed To Sell At Auction

1989 Pontiac Firebird's that have appeared at auction but did not sell.
VehicleChassisEventHigh BidEst. LowEst. High
1989 Pontiac Turbo Trans Am Pace Car Edition1g5fw2173kl2474902023 Mecum : Kansas City$23,000  
1989 Pontiac Turbo Trans Am Pace Car Edition1g5fw2175kl2377852023 Mecum : Harrisburg$38,000  
1989 Pontiac Turbo Trans Am 20th Anniversary1g5fw2175kl2471972023 Mecum : Harrisburg$37,000  
1989 Pontiac Turbo Trans Am 20th Anniversary 2023 Mecum : Glendale$29,000  
1989 Pontiac Trans Am GTA 2022 Mecum : Chicago$35,000  
1989 Pontiac Turbo Trans Am Pace Car Edition 2020 Mecum : Dallas$24,000  
1989 Pontiac Turbo Trans Am Pace Car Edition 2019 Mecum : Las Vegas$17,500  
1989 Pontiac Trans Am GTA 2019 Fall Carlisle Auction   
1989 Pontiac Trans Am1G2FW2185KL2268082019 Spring Carlisle Auction   
1989 Pontiac Turbo Trans Am 20th Anniversary 2019 Mecum : Houston$20,000  
1989 Pontiac Trans Am GTA 2019 Mecum : Phoenix Auction$12,000  
1989 Pontiac Trans AM 2019 Carlisle Auction : Lakeland Winter Auction   
1989 Pontiac Trans Am 2018 Collector Car Toronto Spring$8,500  
1989 Pontiac Turbo Trans Am 20th Anniversary 2018 Mecum : Houston$17,500  
1989 PONTIAC FIREBIRD GTA TRANSAM 2018 McCormick's Auction # 64$11,500  
1989 PONTIAC FIREBIRD 2018 McCormick's Auction # 64$9,600  
1989 Pontiac Trans AM Turbo 2018 Carlisle : Lakeland Winter Auction   
1989 PONTIAC TRANS AM 2018 GpK Auctions Atlantic City   
1989 Pontiac Turbo Trans Am 20th Anniversary 2018 Mecum : Kissimmee$37,500  
1989 Pontiac Firebird Formula 2017 Mecum : Portland   
1989 Pontiac Firebird Formula 2017 Mecum : Indianapolis$12,000  
1989 Pontiac Trans Am 2017 Spring Carlisle Auction   
1989 Pontiac Turbo Trans Am 2017 Mecum : Houston$25,000  
1989 Pontiac Trans Am GTA 2016 Mecum : Dallas$15,000  
1989 Pontiac Turbo Trans Am Pace Car Edition 2016 Mecum : Dallas$16,000  
1989 Pontiac Turbo Trans Am 20th Anniversary 2016 Mecum : Chicago$30,000  
1989 Pontiac Trans Am Turbo 2016 Fall Carlisle Auction$34,000  
1989 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am GTA 2016 Auctions America : Auburn Fall$9,000$12,000$15,000
1989 Pontiac Turbo Trans Am 2016 Mecum Indianapolis$21,000  
1989 Pontiac Turbo Trans Am Pace Car Edition 2016 Mecum : Kissimmee$24,000  

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1989 Pontiac Firebird

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