Rolling Bank Account: 1981 Pontiac Trans Am
The seller of this 1981 Pontiac Trans Am states in capital letters that this is a “REAL TRANS AM”. He goes on to say that it is rare and can be considered a “rolling bank account”. While I admire his enthusiasm, this is one of 34,493 Trans Ams built-in 1981. There were 71,899 total Firebirds built-in 1981 including base Firebirds, Esprits, Formulas, and Trans Ams. This particular Trans Am is located in Alsip, Illinois. The car is listed here on eBay with 5 days remaining on the auction. The car is currently bid to $4,157 but the reserve has not been met.
The base engine in 1981 was the Pontiac 301 cubic inch V8 engine. With a 4 barrel carburetor, it was rated at 155 horsepower from the factory. The 301 cubic inch V8 engine was introduced in 1977 by Pontiac as a lightweight economy engine. The optional engine was the LU8 turbocharged V8 engine that was rated at 200 horsepower in 1981. The LU8 was equipped with a Garrett TB305 turbo and a Rochester Quadrajet 4-barrel carburetor. You could also order a Chevrolet 305 cubic inch engine backed by a Borg Warner T10 4 speed transmission. This particular car has had the 301 cubic inch V8 engine backed by an automatic transmission that was replaced with a Pontiac 400 cubic inch V8 engine. However, the owner is not certain that it is a 400 cubic inch engine as the work was done by a prior owner.
The black vinyl interior looks fairly clean but appears to be a hodge-podge of different components. The door panels are for a deluxe interior optioned car but the seats are the base seating. I am not sure if these are the correct year seats and they are starting to rip at the seams. The radio area has been cut out of the dash and the car has tilt steering, T-Tops, and power windows.
The car appears to have been repainted due to the overspray in the engine compartment and the ad states that it was recently painted but still needs to be wet sanded. If this is the correct color, it should be Code 21 Baniff Blue. The car rides on 15×8 turbo rims which usually came on Trans Ams options with the LU8 turbocharged engine. This Trans Am is not a show car but could be a fun driver if it can be bought at the right price.
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Comments
Rolling bank account, my arse. Maybe a rolling wallet, since a new owner will be stuffing money into it.
More like a money pit on wheels.
The brick in front of the tire.
The deck truck that dragged it to where it sits still in the pic.
The big kink in the hood.
I can’t decide what I like most about this one lol.
absolutely hilarious. He couldnt wait 10 minutes for the rollback to leave before busting out the potato-cam? lol
For me its the radio area gaping hole in the dash.
Possibly for a “triple-DIN” 8-track?
The guy can’t tell you if it’s a craptastic 301 or a 400?!!! Sounds like a knowledgeable and savvy seller!
Start the car, let it warm up a bit, then mat it! You’ll soon discover which V8 it is.
Those red valve covers gotta be worth 50 horsepower…..
why the blue overspray on battery
Car has had a terrible respray. Seller mentions wetsand and buff but I don’t see that helping. This paint went on dryer than a rattlesnakes taint.
Rolling bank account, indeed! Hilarious!
What a mess. Rolling money pit for sure!
Fascinating how the profile of the owner emerges, by what he says and what he did.
Oh my! You can tell that the Scottsdale auctions were last week!
Tyler, exactly right. Prices for these things are thru the stratosphere last 5-10 years. And because so few people were around back then that know the differences between each year, there are a ton of unscrupulous people cobbling parts together from 1970 to 1981 models to build these Frankenbirds selling them as “original”. Buyer beware.
Its a V8 ☑
Better than the other 2 listed befor this one!
Cracks me up when any seller states ‘smooth shifting automatic’, like that’s a positive thing. I tend to think ‘smooth slipping automatic’ could be the truth.
all you guys are just mean !!! roflmyaoff !!
Did not sell. Bid to $8200. Did not meet its reserve.