Bowling Balls: 1982 Pontiac Firebird Trans AM 44K Survivor – SOLD!

September 3, 2023, Update – We confirmed the seller of this “Classifind” deleted their listing, so we’re now able to call this one “SOLD!” While this one got away, please reach out either by email or call us directly if you’d like to be informed when we come across something similar.

Most car enthusiasts likely have an “it” car they wished they could buy and drive brand new in high school.  I’d argue that’s especially true for young men entering their senior year of high school. For me, it was the spring of 1981 when Pontiac launched the all-new, third-generation Pontiac Trans Am.  By 1981, Pontiac enthusiasts were moving past the “Screaming Chicken,” label-laced Turbo Trans Ams, and wanted something with a more European flavor.

Pontiac answered the call with a very aerodynamic 1982 Pontiac Trans Am, with a radical-for-the-time 62-degree raked and flush windshield, hidden headlights that tucked into a flush grille, and “Bowling Bowl” wheels, the car achieved a record 0.32 Coefficient of Drag.  Sadly, Pontiac replaced its 301 cubic inch V8 with the Chevrolet “Cross-Fire,” topped 165 horsepower small block V8.  It may have been slower than its big-block-equipped predecessors, but it looked like nothing else on the road at the time.

This red 1982 Pontiac Trans Am for sale, last spotted in August 2023 on Craigslist in Richmond, Virginia, is reported to be a 44K-mile survivor that has been sorted over the past six months in preparation for the sale. This is a well-optioned example that even features the desirable removable T-Tops and factory air conditioning, although the seller notes that the system is currently blowing warm air.

Last offered for $21,000, Classic.com, the analytics and search engine for the collector car market, confirms the ask is slightly above this guide’s six-month rolling results trend for similar third-generation Trans Am examples.  By clicking on the green dots in the graph below, you can get a sense of what comparable examples sold for recently:

As a second data point, the  Collector Car Market Review Online Tool reveals the seller’s ask falls above this guide’s #1 “Excellent” appraisal of $19,300.

General Motors (“GM”) launched the third generation F-Body twins, better known as the Chevrolet Camaro and Pontiac Firebird, in the spring of 1981 for the 1982 model year. The third-generation F-Bodies received a significant downsize from their predecessors that were closer in size to the original 1967 models.

The new Firebird shrank to a 101-inch wheelbase, lost eight inches in overall length, measured nearly one inch narrower, and weighed nearly five hundred pounds less than than the model it replaced. It also was the most aerodynamic production Firebird to date, with a drag coefficient of 0.33. The new Trans Am took things a bit further, with a coefficient of 0.32, led mostly by the 62-degree windshield angle.

The 1982 Pontiac Trans Am featured a distinctive and sleek design that was in line with the aesthetics of the early 1980s. It had a more angular and aerodynamic body compared to the previous generation, which contributed to improved fuel efficiency and performance. The car’s front end was characterized by its quad rectangular headlights and a prominent grille, giving the Trans Am a distinct and aggressive appearance. The hood was adorned with a large hood scoop that not only added to the car’s aesthetics but also helped improve airflow to the engine.

For the 1982 model year, Pontiac offered the 165 horsepower 5.0L V8.  It was equipped with a throttle-body fuel injection system known as “Crossfire Injection,” which was an early attempt at electronic fuel injection technology.  The 1982 Trans Am was available with both manual and automatic transmission options. The manual transmission was a 4-speed unit, while the automatic transmission was a 3-speed automatic. The V8 engine provided decent acceleration and performance, considering the standards of the time. However, due to increasing emissions regulations and the fuel crisis of the late 1970s, the focus was shifting towards improving fuel efficiency.

The interior of the 1982 Trans Am featured a driver-oriented design with a sporty and functional layout. The dashboard included an optional digital instrument cluster, which was quite innovative for its time. The center console housed various controls, including climate control, audio system, and other convenience features. The seats were designed for both comfort and support during spirited driving, and the car offered enough space for two passengers in the rear seats.

The 1982 Pontiac Trans Am represented the beginning of the third generation of Trans Am models. While it retained the aggressive styling that had become a hallmark of the Trans Am series, it also embraced new design elements to cater to the changing automotive landscape of the early 1980s. The available engine options and features reflected the era’s emphasis on fuel efficiency and technology advancement.

The MotorWeek YouTube Channel provides this 1982 test drive of the then-new 1982 Pontiac Trans Am:

This 1982 Pontiac Trans Am for sale appears to be a nicely sorted example that the next car can either enjoy as is or, as the seller suggests, take to the next level and prepare it for concours or Antique Club of America (“AACA”) judging.

If you are serious about buying this Trans Am for sale, you can start the conversation by using the contact information provided by the seller in their Craigslist ad.  When you connect, please mention that you saw their vintage Pontiac featured here on GuysWithRides.com. Good luck with the purchase!

Here’s the seller’s description:

Show or Go: What would you do with this 1982 Pontiac Trans Am For Sale? Please comment below and let us know!