Here's Why the Pontiac Firebird Trans Am Turbo was Only Made for 2 Years

Pontiac Firebird Trans Am Turbo car review. Here's why the Pontiac Firebird Trans Am Turbo was only made for 2 years, car review and car tour with Scotty Kilmer. Car show off contest winner Mitch and his 1981 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am Turbo. What happened to the Pontiac Firebird Trans Am Turbo? This 37 year old car has a 4.9 liter V8 Turbocharged engine and is still running strong. DIY car repair with Scotty Kilmer, an auto mechanic for the last 50 years.
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This is the people's automotive channel! Learn how to fix your car and how it works. Get a chance to show off your own car on Sundays. Or show off your own car mod on Wednesdays. Tool giveaways every Monday to help you with your own car projects. Or enter your own DIY car fix to compete in the best fix of the week contest every Thursday. We have a new video every day! I've been an auto mechanic for the past 50 years and I'm here to share my knowledge with you.
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[@scottykilmer]

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[@MitchGrooms]

THANK YOU SO MUCH Scotty, you are the best..

[@nO_3Xcuses]

The 1980-81 models years definitely did not live up performance wise but that didn't much matter at the time. The 1980-81 model years was all about show and bragging rights more then anything else made popular from the highly successful Smokey and the Bandit movies!

[@dragonking6742]

Scotty Kilmer he would love my grandfathers 67 GTO

[@thetinpin]

_Told you Mitch!_ Hahaha! A friend of mine has an '81 turbo T/A just like yours in non-running (read: in pieces) condition - it was his mother's car - so he got a real kick out of your video. :) Hell, he even had two turbos for it within arms reach when I showed him!

[@brkooduh66]

it weird to me Buick Grand Nation dealt with emissions vs power so much better in the 80's than any other manufacturer.

[@jimmyhamm9737]

EVEN THOUGH THEY LACKED POWER ; THE BEAUTIFUL BODY AND BODY LINES ARE JUST AWESOME.

[@nickthetoycollector3360]

I drooled over this car as a kid growing up in the 80s. Such a classic design and profile. Amazing car for sure.

[@MitchGrooms]

thanks

[@raynus1160]

Sweet, unmolested, beautifully honest ride. Brings back memories. Thanks for posting.

[@MitchGrooms]

thx

[@raynus1160]

@James DeLap Your boyfriend.

[@mk84boom]

This was my first vehicle, I bought one in the summer of 1991 as a present to myself after graduating high school. I only had it for a year as i could not afford the upkeep. It was awesome and it broke my heart to sell it. I swore I would own one again, hopefully i will fulfill that promise to myself and own one again.. AWESOME video, thank you for helping me relive the summer of 91!!!!!!!!

[@MitchGrooms]

Thanks for that.

[@infamousboii1918]

This is one my favorite classic car of all time love it no matter in what shape it is

[@MitchGrooms]

thank you

[@mikeb6386]

Wish GM didn't kill Pontiac. They had better style than the Chevys in my opinion.

[@jdmjimmy]

Mike Brandenburg true the g6 loos better than the Malibu

[@martinladjimi3238]

SPicy rEns let’s face it every car looks better than a Malibu lol

[@thomasstrickland0]

You can still buy them. Just have to go to Australia and buy a Holden. That’s where GM sent Pontiac for the most part.

[@bruceclark69]

Thomas Strickland They killed Holden also.

[@hesiod6168]

Didn't Holden cease to exist a year or two ago?

[@FirebirdDude]

Love it! My ‘84 H.O. Trans Am was just about the best of the year as well. Those cars are finally getting appreciation also.

[@MitchGrooms]

thx, i am the owner

[@freedomfighter69]

I owned a 77 S/E T/A. Never referred to my cars as she or her, as my cars tended to be trustworthy and reliable...

[@gudlukkay]

Lol

[@oscarjackson670]

🤣

[@marionpartlow7385]

Classic statement

[@pacibaco]

BAM ! Great line brother ! Please don’t be offended if I use it often !

[@LS710R]

sound like you and females dont quite get together well lol

[@ghettomedic9971]

My first car was an 1980 ws6 turbo Trans Am. I loved that car, and should have never sold it. Thanks for showing off your turbo T/A.

[@MitchGrooms]

thx

[@TreesOnTheBeach]

A friend of mine had one of these in the late '80s. I was in love with it. What a classic car it is now.

[@MitchGrooms]

thx bud

[@recoveringnewyorker2243]

Ugly?!!! She's beautiful! Maybe new paint and some sprucing up. The 77 through 81 black Bandit Edition Trans Am is my money's No Object dream car! Drive it with pride brother!

[@MitchGrooms]

thx

[@1alphared]

No my friend. The car earned its battle scars. You don't want to repaint an original.

[@zeltzintlachinolli2806]

The front end of a 79-82 is just ugly but everything else is perfect

[@omartorres5688]

For me its the the black 1981 as that car makes me think of driving around in the 80's listening to Sammy Hagar's heavy metal song with a Hillary duff looking chick in the passenger seat plus that dang trans am got me through tough doughs as well

[@АлексейПетров-ю1ь]

It's not a dream car, it's cheap af.

[@jeffb243]

I built a HUGE 1/8 scale model of this car when I was in my teens. I swore I’d have a Trans Am one day; my friends and family said I’d never have one. I’ve had 6, 3 1979’s (a Special Edition-Bandit, 10th Anniversary, and a Base white one), 2 1986’s, and a 1987 WS6 with the extremely rare digital dash. Never had a Turbo T/A though, but I love em nonetheless.

[@chriscraft77022]

did you seriously make a video of a turbo car and not show the engine?

[@MathsYknow]

Who cares about the engine of a muscle car when you could spend 20% of the video looking at the ownership papers and the window sticker? That's the real important stuff. Pontiac should have known their customers and called the car the Trans Am Build Sheet Special, supplying all the documentation in pretty little frames.. :p

[@fernesal]

A lot of times cars are purchase cause they look good. Even if others uglier are faster. You drive slow looking around enjoying the scenery.

[@realisticfsxpilot2215]

It’s an engine of most cars except with a cheap turb

[@slimshady2777]

Exactly .. show the damn engine .. show us the gastly engineering .. suck through 4bbl with a turbo on top (yes right on top) of the engine .. its truely an abomination .. so funny to laugh at .. 200hp from 5.0Lts AND a turbo

[@lonmcq7317]

@@slimshady2777 Yes, But... Pontiac was still on top of the "heap", so to speak, in '80-'81... Everyone else had given up...

[@richsaloumjr]

I owned this car in 81 and had a 1978 Gold Special Edition - wow I was blessed - Thanks Dad !

[@WJHandyDad]

That was AWESOME! The late 70's Firebirds & Trans Ams always have had a special place in my heart. I didn't even know they made a turbo version in the early 80's! And what a great idea to showcase other people's cars.

[@MitchGrooms]

thx bud

[@arevee9429]

Thanks for showing us your car and sticking up for it. Having driven through the 70's and 80's, I can attest that cars got really slow between '73 and the late '80's. 11 second 0-60 used to be considered quite quick.

[@MitchGrooms]

thx

[@thelaneman]

I have an all black 81 turbo T/A that had a naturally aspirated 301 when I bought it...I yanked that turd of an engine out and dropped in a performance built 500 cid Cadillac and th-400 trans to handle the 550 ft pounds of torque it puts out...now it's a sideways driving tire shredding beast.

[@stephenmr2]

It is awsome you did that Now your car is how you want it to be! I have a 1976 corvette took out the low power 350 L48 then bought a brand new chevy 454 crate motor put that in and now it goes quite well very happy with it now.

[@randyhudson8243]

Let me guess, you disconnected the AC, have Yosemite Sam mud flaps, a welded chain steering wheel, and flamed rubber floormats as well. I bet I am close.

[@CS-xi9dz]

I was 7 yrs old in 81. This was my favorite car at the time.

[@MitchGrooms]

LOL, damn I am OLD

[@justinsanders2705]

I was born in 81 maybe that's why I'm partial to them.

[@gentlegiant6585]

I was 13. Good times then 😎🇺🇸.

[@rickj1983]

Whatever year Trans Am holds true to your heart, it's muscle you appreciate.

[@pex_the_unalivedrunk6785]

She's not ugly! She's beautiful! Keep her preserved, anyone can do a restoration, but all original cars are quite rare. I love the old Pontiac T/A styling. As for "slow" American cars going turbo before that came into vogue as it is with modern cars, a buddy of mine used to have a '84(?) Buick Regal with a turbo V-6(not the GNX version however) his was blue & gray 2 tone....was very comfortable to ride in, and not slow at all.

[@MitchGrooms]

Very cool Nicholas, Go to my channel and see more on this car and other ones.

[@poolboyinla]

The interior looks great.

[@MitchGrooms]

thx

[@auxmike718]

Hi TraviS! Cool to see you here. Say hi to Imma and Kade, Kuya!

[@12yearssober]

@@auxmike718 He’s not going to

[@jasontoki739]

Wow, I think the same car of, a moive smokie and the bandit:):):,

[@robertyankevicz9852]

the paint looks terrible. all faded and flat.

[@DJGRoc]

Those weren't the only years for the Turbo Trans Am. They had another in 1989, dubbed the TTA. It was a limited 20th Anniversary edition, which "borrowed" the 3.8L turbo V-6 from the Buick Grand National. And just like the Grand National, it too suffered from overheating issues.

[@joewspot]

The best ones to find from that era were I think the 73 and 74 T/A’s withe SD 455

[@MitchGrooms]

agree,

[@sumbeech1484]

$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

[@loumason6120]

On the other hand The 70 RA4 was a beast as well as the 71-72 455ho cars

[@stuartmccrea5188]

@IT'SME of Pop

[@gregallen9065]

Had a 1973 SD455 Trans Am.....brewster green....regret ever selling it.

[@danielwylie12]

Thanks for the video. At the age of 16 in 1981 I bought a near new 1980 Turbo Trans-Am, red with red velour interior, having all options but T-Tops and Turbo Lights. Mine was fast, got decent gas mileage, was rock-solid dependable and never needed anything but the oil changed. It was an absolute blast to drive and the girls loved it. With decent tires and the posi-traction rear-end, snowy roads were no problem. If they made this exact same car again today with a modern LS engine, they would sell like hot cakes. In my opinion the best looking muscle car of the entire era.

[@AccountantByDay553]

had same car in high school, it was glorious and it paid for college when i sold it. amazing

[@preston121068]

I had an '81 Turbo Trans Am, and it was a 4.9L regardless of people claiming it was a 5.0L. I bought it used in 1987 with a blown turbo. I replaced the turbo, did some engine work, cleaned her up inside and out fixing this and that and drove that car until 1996 basically everyday. I miss that car...

[@MitchGrooms]

that is great Preston, the 5.0 was the Chevy engine they offered which is SO FREAKING rare now.. Those are the cars to find.. yes, I am the owner of this Ugly Trans Am.

[@smoothoperator4622]

Mitch Grooms Wow. I regret selling my '81 Black Special Edition with the 305 Chevy even more now after reading that. Bought it in '94 with 67,000 original miles for about 8k. It was just gorgeous - was garage kept it's whole life, original everything except the radio. I doubted it was original since it was so nice, so I wrote to Pontiac and asked if they could possibly confirm. Weeks later, I received a thick 8 1/2 x 11 manila envelope from Pontiac Historical Services filled with the car's original paperwork, including the factory build sheet. Not only was it 100% original, but it was super rare, possibly one-of-a-kind. According to their records, only 951 Black SE's were produced in 1981 with the 305 cu. in. (5.0L) engine. Of those, only 15 were built without T-tops like mine. On top of that, it came with the 4 Speed manual Hurst factory shifter, no power windows or locks, and the optional WS6 heavy duty suspension and posi rear. I figured someone ordered it special like this, possibly for racing knowing those luxury options just add weight and the T-tops, although cool as hell, have always caused chassis/body flex issues. Maybe I'm wrong about it being a special order, but I couldn't figure out why they made so few like that. Every Black SE I've ever seen has been fully loaded. the only luxury option this car had was factory A/C. Why did I sell? Unfortunately, I was foolishly racing a buddy of mine who had a black and gold '87 Z-28 around a tight corner and drifted it right into a tall curb, which bent my rear axle badly, cracked the sub-frame slightly where the lower control arm mounts, and destroyed the otherwise perfect "turbo" wheels (like yours, but gold) on the driver's side. Thought I would eventually get it back on the road, even found a replacement axle and fixed it, but it sat in my dad's driveway for a few years until he insisted that I get it out of there. Had nowhere else to keep it at the time, so I sold it to some dude who kept asking about it. Breaks my heart to this day... 😢 I absolutely loved that car! Was always a dream car, still is. Doubt I'll ever find another one that nice for a reasonable price. All I have left now are the dozens of photos I took, some great memories, and one of the wheel center caps which is on display on a shelf in my house lol. Anyway, good luck with yours, thanks for sharing, and sorry if my story was a bit long-winded! 😎

[@BuzzLOLOL]

actually, Pontiac '301' same bore and stroke as Chevy '301'(1/8" overbored 283)/302" V8 and Ford 302"/4.9L/5.0L V8s...

[@WisdomOverWicked777Rules]

@@BuzzLOLOL Are you saying it WASN'T 305???

[@klwthe3rd]

It's amazing all that documentation survived through the multiple owners. I noticed on the original window sticker it was delivered brand new to a dealer in Three Rivers, Michigan yet has another dealer tag on the back bumper from North Carolina. So this car was resold at least 2 different times before the present owner took it in to his collection. It's nice to see an owner appreciate his vehicle in completely stock form and stand up against the bashers that only care about horsepower and torque. Most people buy their cars based on style and appearance so it's not always about the numbers. Great vehicle.

[@MitchGrooms]

Thanks Ken, the story about that dealer tag is the original owner had a dealer try to sell her years ago and the owner took it back and sold it himself..

[@michaelguevara8015]

Kenneth White i dont have the window sticker for my 2016 that says it all, and for this guy to have all those documents is really amazing

[@214mjn]

I just bought my very first brand new car. It is a 2017 ford mustang ecoboost premium. So its the 2.3l turbocharged engine. Everyone says shoulda bought a v8. Well im 23 and insurance isnt exactly cheap for the 2.3 i cant imagine what a 5.0 would cost. Moral of the story. Its a great accomplishment so i took the window sticker and had it framed and it sits on my wall.

[@michaelguevara8015]

214mjn i feel you, i bought a v6 mustang back when i was 17 insurance was almost 300 cause it was a "sport car" and my age, problem with turbo engines nowadays is theyre so maxed out boost wise they dont last long, im a john deere mechanic i see this everyday back in the day you would have a 12.5 liter turbo engine on a 744k all you would do is head gaskets at close to 40,000 hours, now a 744k has a twin turbo 9 liter engine ive had to rebuild engines on 12 of our 744 all before 26,000 hours, so somethings wrong.

[@214mjn]

Michael Guevara true. I think mine pushes 25 lbs of boost. Which seems a bit extreme. But ford dealership says the engine can handle it. And the insurance company doesnt classify it as a sports car. They classify it as a high performance car. Which costs even more money

[@michaelmunger7956]

Pretty impressive numbers for horsepower and torque for the early 80's. Always liked the style of the second generation firebird. Unfortunately it was new technology at the time that had lots of issues same with the buick v6 turbo. However these early engines and computer controls and turbocharging paved the way for the buick grand nationals and regal t types, and 89 pace car trans am. without these early makes who knows where turbocharging would have become on passenger vehicles in the states. Would have been interesting to see what this motor would have been had they kept it arounaround for another 5 years with fuel injection and intercooling.

[@chuckp1832]

Not impressive at all. More like a massive dissapointment.

[@GoodOlRoll]

@@chuckp1832 "for the early 80s"

[@handsolo6823]

I had a 76 and a 79 4 speed ws6, loved that car, it only had 220 hp but tons of torque

[@SCfanIam100]

I had a 1979 with the 403 cubic inch engine. It was black with burgandy interior. It was pretty fast for it's time and I loved that car. I still regret to this day ever selling that beautiful and fun car!

[@MitchGrooms]

thx,, I would too

[@phillipcastillo8519]

i love Pontiac so much from my first car to my daily driver to my weekend fun its always pontiac

[@nathanjones9586]

phillip castillo that's me as well. ;) My daily is a 1998 Sunfire.

[@phillipcastillo8519]

my daily is a g3 but my fun is my 98 grand prix gt

[@nathanjones9586]

phillip castillo Sweet! I really wanted a Grand Prix GT, GTP, or GTX, but I ended up with a Sunfire SE. I can't complain about the fuel economy, though.

[@chaseman94]

I had a 05 Grand Am and a 02 Sunfire now I'm looking for a Grand Prix GTP to replace my money pit Honda Accord but they're so rare where I live.

[@nathanjones9586]

chaseman94 how did you like your Grand Am? I've heard mixed reviews on them. They look cool, but I've heard they can be money pits.

[@leer5858]

This was my favourite match box car as a kid back in the 80s, still looks great today.

[@MitchGrooms]

thx for that

[@leer5858]

You're welcome. Thanks for the video.

[@MrKnutriis]

This week's winner video was so good I am watching it again - and I have already subscribed to Mitch Grooms channel. You really do a cool thing, Scotty, by promoting other people the way you do. It shows your big heart in a remarkable way.

[@MitchGrooms]

wow, thanks for the nice words, so appreciated..

[@pontiac79ta400]

I have a 81 turbo maybe I'll get around to restoring it eventually. Great vid scotty I'm very grateful that you're keeping youtube interesting by showcasing viewers cars.

[@MitchGrooms]

thx Brett, yes Scotty is King for sure. Look for our Facebook page called "Trans Am Lovers" we have 31,000 members..

[@martinwitherspoon7782]

I have a 1981 turbo trans am have owned it 33yrs made in Canada 64 factory options and I have many fond memories owning this car in my 20's real chick magnet and great for towing my ski boat now in my 60's still only done 30,000 miles from new and original paint etc

[@MitchGrooms]

wow, look on my page fpr more vids of this car and others.

[@ziadkadi]

I used to have a 1978 trans am and i used to love it

[@WisdomOverWicked777Rules]

How much HP? Was it Olds or Pontiac 400?

[@kitsune7215]

I've heard of these once before, so cool I love cars like this. Limited runs, unique set upt for their time. And heck yeah he dailies it, you can't truly enjoy it if it's just sitting around, they were built to be driven.

[@MitchGrooms]

thx for that. I get tons of hate because I drive it and because it is ugly, haters will be haters..

[@brendaleetv]

When I was in high school this car came out and I so wanted one but it was a ton of $$$$ and a high school student it was like impossible to own!

[@chalerhingo1310]

My mother's boyfriend bought a brand new white '81 Firebird when they first came out. I think it had dark red or burgundy interior. I was 9 yrs old at the time so I didn't know the value of this car nor anything else except that this guy was SUPER COOL!!!

[@MitchGrooms]

Thanks Chale and this is my car.

[@jetsteeltherealdeal7872]

Awesome I had a 1979 firebird formula,beautiful black paint and interior with new decals all the way around

[@MitchGrooms]

thx

[@realitycheck1004]

I had one just like that. It's still my most favorite car that I ever owned.

[@MitchGrooms]

Thx PS, this is my car, Go to my channel for tons of vids on it and others, I agree with you

[@Paisteboy]

My brother bought a 1981 Turbo Trans AM in Red brand new when he was 19 years old in 1981. I was 8 Years old at the time. I still love those cars to this day. It had the T tops too. Now I understand why I never see them anymore. Not too many made. He only had it for about 3 years. All the speeding tickets jacked up his car insurance. lol. He bought some fog lights that he never ended up putting on the car and the funny this is that I was cleaning out our Dad's toolbox recently and found them. Still new in the box. I would love to own one these cars someday.

[@MitchGrooms]

love that story.. thx

[@Paisteboy]

Thanks Mitch.

[@_TimTurb0_]

Cool story man! I have an 81 in red as well, but it's a hardtop.

[@jrod264winmag]

paisteboy awesome story. I passed on buying a clean low mile one back in the late 80s, I ended up buying a 78 bird with a 305.

[@Paisteboy]

Thanks man. Sounds like you bought a pretty nice car.

[@charlesbutler4646]

Beautiful TransAm, Pontiac was always a great marquee, so glad to see one original and unrestored. Excellent.

[@MitchGrooms]

thx Charles

[@Northwest425]

my grandpa has a 1976 trans am, he bought it brand new, still runs like a champ

[@MitchGrooms]

great

[@John-uj9zy]

340 ft/lbs is nothing to scoff at. It's nice to hear that it hasn't given you too much trouble. My cousin's mom had one back in the day. It was such a pain she sold it before she paid it off. She's been leasing cars for years now. I can see why. I wouldn't mind paying a little more in the long run to drive a car for a few years and a few thousand of miles under warranty before I commit to buying the whole thing, living with it out of warranty, and possibly put money into upgrades.

[@MitchGrooms]

thx John.

[@c_firebirdgo8639]

Driver cars are true "survivor" cars. I laugh when I hear someone say their garage queens are "survivors"

[@MitchGrooms]

LOL, I like your name, do you have some? more vids of my car on my channel and much more

[@Daveyboy919]

That was 1 of my favorite cars

[@nthgth]

Nice to see SOME company can admit their V-8 is a 4.9L ;)

[@silverfox5507]

Had a 81 T-Top , small V8 , Great fun car ,cornering was magic .

[@MitchGrooms]

great.

[@philsalsbery9994]

Nice flashback of better times for Pontiac. I had a 1979 Trans-Am, all black, no bird on the hood, Pontiac 400 with 4 speed and 3.23 posi gears, WS-6 suspension which included 4 wheel disc brakes, heavy sway bars front and rear, and the iconic 15x8 snowflake wheels. It was a rare car, but at my age of 19-20, I abused it. While not having much horsepower (220) in the drastically detuned 400 motor, it had plenty or torque and grunt, and would leave a pair of long black stripes after dumping the clutch. It handled like it was on rails. Powder blue velour interior, (so 1970s), the full fit Fisher Body T-tops, and T/A 6.6 on the shaker hood scoop. Looking back now, I wish I would have taken better care of that car and kept it. 400 cubic inches and a clutch pedal made that car the last of the muscle cars, per Hot Rod magazine. Thanks for the memories. Enjoy that car, my man!

[@MitchGrooms]

wow Phil, loved your post, thx bud,,

[@andyshouseofgears4902]

I had a 80 Firebrid with the 301 and it was a great highway cruiser, with a decent ride.

[@MitchGrooms]

thx Josh

[@rickdickerson4895]

im glad he won that is a classic car congratulations ..

[@MitchGrooms]

thx Mike.

[@-ahvilable-6654]

Still looks very modern to me (slav here)

[@ohguy1991]

"Glad he won" What do you mean? was the car auctioned off? did he bid on it on eBay? I thought he bought it from the 2nd owner

[@MitchGrooms]

Not sure what you mean sir..

[@-ahvilable-6654]

Erock he won a chance to show his car on Scotty's channel

[@smm2k13]

I had a 1979 TA. It was silver, with a blue bird. I really miss that car!

[@MitchGrooms]

yes, true but I am not going to do it,, That would make this wortless

[@badbirdkc]

Man, those gigantic transmission humps in old cars... childhood memories.

[@MitchGrooms]

lol

[@cptdavidwebb]

I love that body style. After all these years I still cant get enough of them. I could just sit in a lawn chair with a beer and be happy looking at one But if I owned a 70 -81 I really would drop in a dart 400 with a mild cam. I mean, it might as well be as fun to drive as it is to look at.

[@MitchGrooms]

thx for that. I agree, but I drive like grandma anyway..

[@63stratoman]

Would be really cool to see see someone “build” one of these to what it could’ve actually been had the EPA not strangled it! I bet you could tweak that motor for 300HP easily with a bigger turbo, less restrictive exhaust, and some other bolt-on parts! You should do it!

[@MitchGrooms]

yes, thx Ray

[@richardvacanti4265]

That’s a great car. It’s NOT UGLY. Did you try using a duel orbital buffer and some Maguires 105 compound will take the haze off and a lot of the old useless scratches then get a nice soft polishing pad and requires 205 and it would look great wish I was there I would do it for you for free.

[@jakexrain1034]

Richard Vacanti The clear coat is peeling off. The only way to fix that is to re-paint the car. Now if the paint was just oxidized, yes it could be polished.

[@MitchGrooms]

Thanks Richard but the paint has totally had it, the side and bottom is perfect but the rain and the sun took the rest away..

[@MitchGrooms]

true, it is gone..

[@1alphared]

I am sorry for the neglect but she is still perty sexy.

[@jeffjackson9679]

Just take her down to Earl Scheib! $99.95, and she will be looking sweet!

[@fordharley1]

I had a 1980 black gold turbo T/A and in 1981 got a Silver with blue T/A

[@1xicano]

I had to look this car up. I found one today with only 15k miles. It has been kept in the garage the entire time and the old lady is selling it. It looks like it came straight from the dealers. I had never seen a Turbo edition. Amazing.

[@MitchGrooms]

they are great, i am the owner

[@erikwille5614]

No one in their right mind would bash this super awesome looking machine :)

[@MitchGrooms]

thx

[@timboslice1979]

Always wanted a red one with the golden eagle on the hood!

[@beabeauty]

Well we have one that needs some work! It has been in my Mom’s garage for about 23 years. ?

[@jameshall4385]

I love those trans ams. They had great lines, nice interiors, good suspensions, 15x8 rims, and the screaming chicken. The Motors were revolutionary yet poorly executed. The downdraft turbo was horrible, they could've done so much better with that. But the seed of performance was planted. Great car. It should've come stock with a mustache, cowboy hat, and leather coat.

[@marioiacolucci]

James Hall where's the bandit?

[@kxlucifer]

We could all blame epa for their bs..land of the free bs we. Have to follow rules and regulations...

[@MitchGrooms]

thx

[@Robert-hr6sh]

Is was top of the line in it's day.

[@CaptainFALKEN]

James Hall actually 15x7 wheels, but some 15x8s look great

[@RevoltingSnakeman99]

She's not pretty? Well no, she's absolutely gorgeous. "Pretty" would be an insult to this amazing machine. I think it looks spectacular, and I'd say you're one lucky dude.

[@MitchGrooms]

thanks for that, the real story is my friends will not be seen in this car. At all gas stations, everyone ask me the same question. Are you going to paint it?

[@RevoltingSnakeman99]

Mitch Grooms They don't sound like friends to me. What do they drive, Corollas?

[@MitchGrooms]

Well actually, they drive Honda/Toyota and Hybrids, go figure right?

[@RevoltingSnakeman99]

Mitch Grooms They might hurt themselves climbing into a real car like yours (I have two Hondas and a BMW by the way). If the poor fools can't appreciate a classic, I'd say that's their problem. Sounds quite sad to me, really. A story like this kinda makes me glad I don't have any friends!

[@36742650885]

They were built in my hometown of Norwood Ohio (Cincinnati). My first car was a 79 Trans Am. With a 301. ( no turbo). It was beat to death by the time I got it. But The girls loved it

[@googleusergp]

Yes, and unfortunately, they closed that plant in 1987 because it was considered obsolete and labor was cheaper at the Van Nuys, CA plant (which also produced 1st and 2nd gen cars too). The VN facility would produce the F body through the 1992 model year and then it moved to St. Therese, Quebec Canada for the 4th gen cars which ran from 1993 to 2002. The current generation Camaro is built back in the US again (as of this writing in 2019).

[@richardkaltenbach3961]

​@@googleusergpI Just Learned That This Year, 2024 Will Be The LAST FINAL YEAR Of The Camaro!

[@googleusergp]

@@richardkaltenbach3961 Yup, typical backwards GM thinking.

[@fjp3305]

It's not ugly, it just needs a paint job, but it's a great car. I wish I had one like it.

[@adanvaldcontreras4283]

Love the famous thunder chicken. 🤘🤘

[@MitchGrooms]

thx for that

[@eds7193]

Thunder chicken ?....its not a ford!

[@kimwilkens9248]

Called a phenix

[@Joker-cp8md]

I had a gold 301 turbo no probs Then traded for the nxt f-bird with retractable head lights CUZ it was cool !! it was JUNK problems / rust yukk never get retract head lights EVER! 🤮 best car I,ve had in 50yrs a 1997 honda accord coupe 😊😊...60 yr old now got 06 pilot :love it

[@patluvsvettes]

I'm glad Pontiac kept the tear-drop style hood into the 1982-1984 years.

[@jamesmonroe6291]

How does it resemble a tear drop?

[@TheRealJLucas]

@@jamesmonroe6291 the cowl. Marketing name

[@davecalvo1939]

I have this same car, bought it back in "1989" for $4,500 completely stock.I spun a rod bearing racing it on the highway (the engine was nothing special) I pulled the 301 turbo and installed a 1968 RAM AIR III 400CI engine. The car flies now, I also changed out the 3:08 gears in the rear with a Richmond 3:90 posi and put a 2,800 torque converter in it with a ratchet shifter and rebuilt the turbo 350 trani. Its been sitting in my garage for nearly 23 years now. Had it out once in 2004 but it needed a carb rebuild. I hope to someday bring the old girl back on the road.

[@MitchGrooms]

Great, this is my T/A.

[@johnd4348]

I had a 1977 Ford LTD with a 460 Cubic inch engine and a four barrel carb and Police interceptor package on it. Heavy car like 5600 lbs, but the speed odomer went up to 155 mph. And it went up to that and then some with no problem. 100 mph and the car floated like on a cloud. Best car in the world. Only got 6 miles per gallon thou. Bought it for 1000 dollars when it was 10 years old and kept it for 20 years. Still ran great when I sold it. The Texas DPS used these as their crusers.

[@johnd4348]

Maybe, but this was built when they actually used steel to build cars. Not one pound of plastic or rubber on this LTD. Was still running after 30 year and could bury the speed odometer. Did not burn an once of oil. Did not even have an oil leak.

[@MitchGrooms]

thx for the story John

[@Shwalker07]

I never knew about those turbo indicator lights on the outside of the vehicle. Very cool.

[@MitchGrooms]

80 did not have the boost light outside, only the 81.

[@_TimTurb0_]

Matt landro I own one as well, same year. It does.

[@MitchGrooms]

need to look up my Facebook page called "Trans Am Lovers" we have 37,000 members

[@MechamMachoTA]

some 80's, including all the Indy Pace Cars had the turbo lights.

[@tygercat9122]

KITT, I am your father.

[@moonlighter6]

The later cross-fire fuel injection was the real disaster.

[@lonmcq7317]

Yes... I had one in an '83 Z28... The pinnacle of induction failure... Nightmarish for mechanics to work on, lol...

[@coache1nine]

That system was total trash

[@-DC-]

301 turbo was is and always will be a very interesting failure.

[@MitchGrooms]

they tried and worked with what they had.

[@MitchGrooms]

Yes L, that was the point and you understand this. They were in the new territory for sure. The did the best they could. I wish all my Pontiac lovers knew this..

[@TeeroyHammermill]

+D C: I don't believe it was considered a failure. The T/A engine for 82 was a boat anchor compared to Turbo 301. They ran a 165hp 240lb/torque Chevy 305.

[@rextruegood6168]

D C its 5.0 not 4.9

[@jakeread2157]

So does it actually have a turbo charger on the motor ?

[@jimh.5551]

Good for Mitch. He truly loves his old car and who cares what "haters" think! Did you hear that 37-year old Trans Am small block V-8 motor purring like a kitty-kat? I was impressed.I still have my "1st NEW car" I ever bought --1985, 5.0 liter Mustang GT w/5 sp trans. It's certainly not the fastest thing on the street anymore, but it puts a smile on my face every time I take it out for a Sunday A.M. back road drive in the country. That's all that matters.

[@MitchGrooms]

thx Jim

[@CDaeda]

I owned a 1980 Turbo T/A back in 1990. Got it for $2000. A smooth ride. I don't think the turbo ever worked but I got along without it. The 301 engine was great.

[@MitchGrooms]

agree, i am the owner

[@Santiago-iv7oi]

Love that car.. Smokey and the Bandit

[@MitchGrooms]

thx

[@tygercat9122]

1962 Santiago Noooo, sir! Two completely different T/A's

[@bildboi71]

Tyger Cat Exactly right. In 77’ they used the 6.6 litre (403ci). In Smokey & The Bandit II they did use a Turbo TA (301ci). The 403 would simply walk away from the turbo. However, Pontiac’s greatest engine was only in 1296 firebirds and TA’s from 73 1/2 through 74. That would be the SD 455. Better than Oldsmobile’s HO (high output) 455

[@jfrog9196]

tyger cat is on it! lol 1977 was the original T/A used in the 1st movie the 2nd i do believe was a 1980 turbo.

[@brandonmurphy4657]

@@bildboi71 those 6.6 s were dogs too had no power

[@chickenmuffin]

“If it didn’t have the window sticker I wouldn’t have bought it” Wtf dude... ps where is the engine?!

[@robertrobinson1111]

I am with you on that comment the car seems to be in in real good shape i would've cared if had the window sticker or not.

[@forterierocks]

Good wet sand, cut and polish I bet that paint would come back pretty good.

[@MitchGrooms]

the paint is gone actually, only the sides are in good shape, thx for the advise.

[@markfive3731]

Yea, and the decals are fried too.

[@TheFoodnipple]

Nothing a Maaco paint job and some new vinyl decals cant fix

[@octaneartllc]

TheFoodnipple did you say maaco... Never give car advice again...

[@forterierocks]

TheFoodnipple Maaco... I could paint a car better with a bucket of paint and a brush in a thunderstorm🤣

[@NorcoRules]

Its not ugly.. Its a beauty .. Your right about 1981 with slow cars . My buddy had one of these turbo Trans Ams and he could not keep up with my 64 Studebaker Daytona with a 259 V8 and 4bbl carb .

[@larrygro]

It’s not ugly. I would repaint it at some point but think about it, you won’t drive it as much because you will be so stressed out thinking about gravel chips and door dings. It’s a driver. Keep it up mechanically and enjoy it.

[@xeroinfinity]

i worked on one of these in 1990 at the stealership i was working at. though it was upgraded to a 1989 305 and a bigger turbo. It was NO FUN to work on thats for sure! lol

[@robsrandomness7824]

I always preferred this body style. Call me crazy.

[@MitchGrooms]

thx

[@XshakeninjaX]

Pontiac drivers matter!

[@agnotwot7997]

My mother hand a brown one back in 81 and love that car.

[@MitchGrooms]

lord, i feel old now..lol. thx

[@issacdavis3767]

My friend had one of these, well, similar, in HS. His was a 301 formula. Red. Great cars. Great video.

[@MitchGrooms]

great, this is my car

[@batvette]

Whoops they did have a non turbo 301. My bad.

[@1shotz0]

wassup scotty again with a cool video!

[@scottykilmer]

hello and thanks!

[@MitchGrooms]

thx

[@nathanjones9586]

Sweet ride! Not ugly at all! :)

[@MitchGrooms]

thx

[@marioiacolucci]

Nathan Jones it's pretty!

[@1AstralKing]

That 90s “car phone” though...

[@jimmysgarage9068]

80's car phone.

[@johnanderson9494]

My friend's uncle used to pick him up from school in a red 1981 Ferrari BB 512 Boxer. According to Road&Track it was "the fastest damn street car money could buy." It could do zero to 60 in five seconds flat. In 1981 that was really something and to some extent still is.

[@MitchGrooms]

nice, yes I know my car is slow but it is loved. I also have a 98 Jag XJR Supercharged which will do 0-60 in 4.9 sec. go to my page.

[@PreacherJimC]

I had an 81 Turbo TA when I was 17 in 1989. Love my car. It came with the 301.

[@Viktorrhansen]

i daily my 1970 bird here in Denmark :D

[@MitchGrooms]

that is great, do you have vids?

[@Viktorrhansen]

Mitch Grooms yeah on my Channel Hansen Racing 😁 drifting and burnouts

[@MitchGrooms]

wow, that is great, I help run a T/A page on FB, actually the largest one called Trans Am Lovers. look me up and the page pleas..

[@Viktorrhansen]

Mitch Grooms sure ill check it out

[@Jhihmoac]

Turbocharging just didn't work well with the available carbeurators on the 301 at the time...

[@MitchGrooms]

very true, thanks for watching

[@watsjd1]

Hey Scotty, just discovered your great channel and subscribed. Loving your talks - you say what I want to know unlike some mechanic channels I know of that are overly technical. Keep up the good work!

[@lancehurley9743]

She’s a beauty man..don’t let anybody else tell you different...

[@MitchGrooms]

thx Lance.

[@camarossdriver]

Thanks for saving this Trans-Am,and not letting it rot! I own a (darn near MINT) 1979 Solar Gold T/A with a 301 in it. It may not be the FASTEST car on the road,but I LOVE IT! I think your Turbo T/A is AWESOME! If you ever want to sell it....look me up! This car would be AMAZING completely restored. 😎

[@MitchGrooms]

Hey Tony, this is my T/A on this post. You have an Gold 79 with a 301? WOW, I knew they had the 301 in 79 but very few were purchased. I will look on your page and I hope you got vids posted.. Look on my page buddy

[@camarossdriver]

Yep! It's a '79 301...not the quickest car on the road,but I just threw on a couple coats of "Liquid Glass" on her,and she looks like she was built just a few years ago. I went to a car show that I saw just off the highway when I first bought it...so I drove in...the car wasn't washed or waxed...and I took 3rd Place in my divison! (-:

[@brianobrian9334]

i wonder if it was the top dog of its year????

[@MitchGrooms]

hhmm, that is what I said,,LOL. I did not know I said it twice, sorry about that.

[@brianobrian9334]

No worries friend, just giving ya sheet, absolutely love the car, grew up around them and ole burt reynolds helped.

[@PolPotsPieHole]

3:35 music to my ears

[@jhuntosgarage]

Clean nonoffesive, nonbashi comment. Love it! Can I have one now? ;)

[@MitchGrooms]

hhmmm. I am the owner of the car..lol

[@bigpun7916]

My brother had a 79 firebird formula in 1987 and it was very fast ! 308. 4L.