Column Shift: 1970 Pontiac Trans Am Ram Air III
The 1970 Pontiac Trans Am made its debut on February 26, 1970 at the Chicago Auto Show. It was a revolutionary design that looked different than anything produced prior to that date. It was introduced so late int he year that many dealers referred to it as the 1970 1/2 Pontiac Trans Am. This project car is located in Carlsbad, California. It is being auctioned off on eBay and there are 6 days remaining so plenty of time to check this one out. The car is currently bid to $15,300.
The second generation Firebird and its multiple models – base Firebird, Esprit, Formula and Trans Am – were produced from 1970 to 1981. It was a 12 year life span that produced some amazing cars. From 1970 to 1972, the Trans Am model was exclusively offered in two distinct color schemes: white with blue stripes or blue with white stripes. In 1970, the white was a brighter Polar White. In 1971 and 1972, the white was a less stark Cameo White. The 1970 Trans Am was equipped with its numbers matching Ram Air III 400 engine rated at 335 hp which was the base engine. However, the high-performance Ram Air IV 400 was rated at 345 hp, primarily engineered for racing purposes, could be obtained through a specialized ordering process, rendering it exceedingly scarce and highly coveted among enthusiasts due to its rarity and desirability.
The interior of this Trans Am looks pretty sparse because there is no console and not many options. One will notice that the automatic transmission shifter is mounted on the column. If a Trans Am was ordered with an automatic transmission and no console, the shifter was mounted on the column. It is an odd but rare feature of this car. The dash is cracked and the seats are covered in nonoriginal inserts that match the door panels. This car does have factory air conditioning which was fairly rare since only 988 Trans Ams in 1970 came with air conditioning.
You can bid on the car here on eBay. Out of 48,739 Firebirds produced in 1970, only 3,196 Trans Am models were produced. This car is painted in Polar White which, as mentioned, was a one year only paint color for the Trans Am. The car has been stored outside under a tarp so there is rust in some places. Hopefully, this one is restored and put on the road for other to enjoy looking at such a beautifully designed car.
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Comments
To me, the prettiest American car ever made. I sure hope it gets restored. The column shifter is quaint, but what the heck, I don’t even mind that it’s an automatic.
I loved all GM muscle cars from 1970. I seen this before T/A auto on the column like a 70 Challenger T/A auto on the column. No console with a auto went on the column. It does look strange but it’s cool. I hope the person who buys this does a complete restoration on it. It deserve it to be shown how beautiful they were. I seen plenty growing up was a passenger but never the driver. 😞 I seen one brand new on the street in 1970 it flew pass me as I waited to cross the street. Yes It was loud being stock. And it was a stick. As the driver was down shifting for a red light. Ahhhh the good old days. I was lucky growing up where I lived seeing many muscle cars.Good luck to the next owner. 🐻🇺🇸
I forgot to say all muscle cars since I am a Mopar fan! 😄
I wonder if Pontiac built any ’69-72’s without the racing stripes by special request, or mistake, or if you “knew someone” – to greatly reduce being
“observed” by the law – back then.
The auction was ended early, likely sold off eBay to offer.
Steve R
Thunderbolt and Lightfoot.
I like the uniqueness of this T/A. It’s got a Ram Air with air conditioning and the auto on the column is a reminder that the manufacturer let you choose/pay for what you wanted. Unless, of course, you bought from stock.
I’m not an expert, but if my old memory serves, that is NOT the correct scoop on the ram air unit. Looks like post ’76 to me….
Any thoughts??
Off the top of my head I would say you are correct. The scoop on this model I believe is more rounded off and less angular. Good eye!
The rusted areas are weird. The underside looks ok but look at the rust at the roof above the windows and also at the corners of the dash. Weird.
Salt air will rust like that, it accumulates at the edges where paint is thin from dew/light rain.
I have too many cars https://www.flickr.com/people/115986104@N05/
Cars rust like that here in Florida near the coast. From the top down. Perhaps the car was near the ocean for most of it’s life.
Ended already. The column shift auto wouldn’t bother me, but it’s curious that on the invoice it indicates that a 4 speed is standard but doesn’t indicate anywhere that the car is equipped with an auto.
I’ve seen Superbirds with column shift automatics. It was a thing back then, and makes for a unique look.
I feel sad for this car and hope someone picked it up and will restore it.
With the shifter on the column it means this car doesn’t use the 498467 shift cable that used to seize up when the powertrain to chassis ground wire oxidized or broke at the eyelets.
I worked in a Pontiac dealership parts department in the early 1980s. Those shift cables were a big seller and helped pay the bills.
If my ROMAN NUMERAL math is correct the number on the front fender is for the number 4 in roman math, not 3 (lll.) a V with number 1 the right side would be 6. Numeral V with 1 on left side is 4. Automatic on column is NOT so rare on a Pontiac. What would be rare would be a 3 speed on the colmun!! Was available, look it up. My future wife had a 1967 GTO with the RAN AIR 360 HP OPTION with NO console, and it had automatic on the Column. All GM pony cars when ordered W/O a console and a 3 speed transmission came with 3 on THREE ON THE TREE!!!
Not on the 1970 Trans Am, a 4spd was the base transmission, there was no 3spd manual either column or floor shift available. The 3spd manual was the base transmission with the Ram Air III or IV in a Formula.
Steve R
Dang this one got away before I could even commit so I’ll toast a shot of my favorite cognac and wish the buyer happy motoring with a big thumbs up.
Rare options for 2nd gen t/a’s(but not necessarily available for all model years of that decade) are indeed column shift automatic, rear seat console, unitized igntion, thin stripe whitewall! tires(available for a few months for ’73 models) & vinyl roof.
The rarest of all options is gold rally II wheels! in place of gold snowflake wheels on ’77 SE bandit t/a’s – google –> No Snowflakes for this Bandit
When you cover ANY vehicle with atarp you will get rust like that,not a good idea but I guess sometime you have no choice