1979 Pontiac Trans Am - Jay Leno's Garage

American muscle meets Smokey and The Bandit! Thanks to the Audrain Automobile Museum for sharing this ride with us!
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Hosted by legendary comedian and “Tonight Show” host Jay Leno, the series explores our obsession with all things automotive. From classic cars to supercars and everything in-between, Jay is hitting the road to discover the most exciting, weird and wonderful vehicles ever made and meet the passionate people behind their wheels. Each one-hour themed episode features a mix of stunts, challenges, reviews, and celebrity interviews that showcases the colorful history of the automobile. Whether he’s exploring the story of an iconic brand, road-testing the newest super car, or investigating the latest automotive innovations, there is no wheel Jay won’t get behind to tell the story of our love affair with the car.
About Jay Leno: Acclaimed TV late night show host, admired stand-up comedian, best-selling children’s book author, much-in-demand corporate speaker, lovable TV and movie voice-over artist, pioneering car builder and mechanic, and philanthropist…it’s no wonder that Jay Leno is widely characterized as “the hardest working man in show business.”
1979 Pontiac Trans Am - Jay Leno's Garage
• 1979 Pontiac Trans Am ...
Jay Leno's Garage
/ jaylenosgarage

[@rodsbyred2846]

The wife and I bought a 1977 T/A 4 spd , 35 years ago, and we still have the car. Has become part of the family. Nothing like them .

[@slackerman9758]

@Lance Wells Beware, for it bears the mark of the super chicken!

[@deelaine1769]

@rodsby red That was the 1st first car I bought in '77! My brother and I each bought one, and it had nothing to do with "Smokey and The Bandit!" 😏 The '77 was my favorite! Ended up collecting Corvettes, but nothing was ever as sweet as that 1st Trans Am!

[@rodsbyred2846]

@@deelaine1769Thanks for the comment. I was actually looking at a Corvette and when we checked on the insurance there was no way , you know 19 years old . Over the years I and the wife have owned 13 Trans Ams but have always keep and charished the first one. We now have a small collection of classic cars (8) which includes 2 Trans Ams.

[@deelaine1769]

@@rodsbyred2846 Wow, I'd love to hear what the 8 classic cars are, if you don't mind! We're (the hubby and I) are still trying to find the "sister" of our '70 454 Big Block Laguna Gray Vette, but she's our treasure now. A true Beaut! Ahh, the sweet sound and wind in my hair driving 100+mph with the T tops off, I could stay there forever! My bro & I are still competing for the most TAs and Vettes owned! 😊

[@rodsbyred2846]

@@deelaine1769 Sure. My pleasure, and not to brag. 51 F3 truck, 55 chevy gasser , 67 Gto hardtop. 67 Gto convertible , 67 Lemans pro street , 68 Tempest SW , 77 T/A, 93 T/A , oh yeah 2000 Vette also. Thx for your interest.

[@gc461]

The bird on the hood is awesome, The car wouldn’t be the same without it

[@steffyhobmann5037]

"Screaming chicken"!

[@kadenwegner2691]

Its literally a fire-bird, like

[@Dogboy1960]

Not the same? You're right. It'd be better without it. Dorky and incredibly weak. The ultimate example of the whole stripe and sticker replacement for actual power that was just so very common in the late 1970s. This car is a low mileage time capsule so I'd leave it as is. How-ever give me a less perfect example to work with and bring back and I can see losing the bird stickers and installing a built 400 in keeping with the way Pontiac would have built this car if not for all the government mandated emission standards of the late 1970s. If that's not "green" enough for you the a more expensive LS E-Rod crate engine package might be the way to go. But either way I agree with Jay that bird sticker would go away for sure.

[@mickeyaycock5363]

@Beyond Your IQ aq11w W we are going to have to go back to the aware are re an are re a4rr and are a4rraaaaaeeer4 Ara around the earliest aaew

[@joemcmahon8103]

These cars have such a long nose it really does look weird without the decal on the hood. I bought my '78 at Barrett-Jackson a few years ago. Got a good deal I think, in part, because it was a non-chicken decal car and it kind of turns people off when they see that big blank hood with just the shaker sticking out of it. Needless to say, I couldn't take it anymore and have since had the decal put on the car.

[@martinharris5017]

T Tops, Screaming eagle decals, shaker hood scoop, flared arches and big rear spoiler. These late 70s Trans Ams didn't need customising! Truly iconic car.

[@nunyabizness9955]

Its a pheonix not an eagle.

[@martinharris5017]

@@nunyabizness9955 True, Firebird is another name for a Phoenix so that makes sense. Back in the 80's we called it the "Screaming Chicken" ;)

[@jeffmurdock8321]

@@martinharris5017 Yup, the screaming chicken. A bit tacky then, but nostalgic now.

[@viscountslappy5085]

Don't need customizing, just modernizing so they don't get rocked by a Honda Accord

[@johnjacobjingleheimerschmi3857]

I had a Black on Black Velour '78. It ran like a scalded dog. Nothing sounds quite like a large displacement Pontiac V-8. My buddy had a Lucie Blue '72. 455H.O. 4 speed.

[@BakerStudiosIndy]

As a 20-year-old car guy, there was nothing more fulfilling that sitting behind that dash and looking at the shaker hood as you drove. It was something very special.

[@bradleylovej]

I feel the same way about my 2000 Ws6. The rumble when it starts up, then looking out the windshield you see these two big muscular humps that gently vibrate, especially under acceleration. God I love Trans Ams.

[@riadlo1]

Indeed it was, I really miss that view and that feeling!

[@travismarshall1481]

I'm double your age at 40 and I'm thinking the same thing. FORD Falcon had the same thing in the 1970s and 2000s too. I about to Google their shakers

[@AllenCaraway]

I liked this before I even started watching the video. RIP, Burt.

[@amandahuginkiss4098]

GM gave Burt a free car every year as a thank you for boosting their sales.....the deal was 1 free car / year for life but then when GM got a new president he quashed the deal.

[@scringe1]

@@amandahuginkiss4098 I didn't know that. Interesting.

[@williamkeith8944]

So a car transporter schlepped this Firebird 3,000 miles from Newport RI to Los Angeles so Jay Leno could present it to us. Thanks Jay and Audrain museum.

[@AudrainMuseumNetwork]

Thanks!

[@jeffdurkin9341]

I enjoyed your review of the 1979 Trans Am. My wife and I are the original owners of a 1978 TA with the ta 400 and loaded. It is still original with a new paint. It has 150,00 miles and still performs great with the shaker now open and straight dual exhaust. We bought theTA after we got married in 1977. We all have aged a little after 43 years together. 😎

[@JimS870]

4 speed???

[@rajvinder89]

Cool!

[@shahidnazir3597]

Blessings ya all

[@sc2422]

I love that you are still together!

[@CashMullen-ng4sr]

I just took my Atlantis Blue '79 Trans Am 400/4-Speed/WS6 on a 500 mile road trip and you can't believe the number of waves, thumbs-ups and positive comments the car gets in public!

[@rossvoorheis2391]

🎵East bound and down, loaded up and truckin'...🎵

[@carcrashcompilation9459]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/n56smWSZq52VfLM

[@ryanj116]

@@KS-xo3oh we got a long way to go...

[@xavierbatista6201]

We got a long way to go and a short time to get there

[@CalTxDude]

"He done good, didn't he Fred?!"

[@patkaczmarek7362]

@@xavierbatista6201 I'm east bound, just watch 'ole Bandit run.

[@frankleroux2733]

At disco times, any guy who had a Trans-Am never left a club alone..

[@deelaine1769]

Haha, good one. BUT, as a female, the '77 TA was the 1st car I bought and Loved, I stayed away from any guy who just wanted to drive my car. It was my way of testing whether a guy wanted to date Me, or my car! 😬😂

[@deelaine1769]

P.S. Hated disco!

[@ut2k4wikichici]

@@deelaine1769 based boomummy

[@wisdomseeker3362]

@@deelaine1769 I would not have let _anyone_ drive it❗ With a Trans Am , you must be selfish. lol..you know! Anyway, who needs a guy when you have a '77 Trans Am ...right❓ Thank you for sharing with us. I love hearing these fantastic and rare stories from our past. 👓

[@deelaine1769]

@@BuzzLOLOL 😂😉👏🏼👏🏼🍃💗🍃

[@surelock22]

When I was a little kid THIS was the car I wanted more than any other. Pontiac meant excitement!

[@ramongonzalez2112]

T top, bird on hood, square quad headlights.👍My freshman year of HS.

[@margaretbrill1794]

Ken loved that car too. Black man what a car! Pontiac 👍 why did GM get rid Pontiac anyway? Kept buick

[@thepeddle]

When I was a kid this was hands down my favorite car......and I think it still is...it's absolutely beautiful

[@rocketmanpm]

Back in the day, the golden ticket was a set of orders to Germany. Us Air Force guys would, upon receiving orders to Germany, order a Firebird with the decal option. Uncle Sam would ship the new car to our base in the European theater. After a few months, one would simply drive the car to any wealthy area in town park the Trans-Am in front of a coffee shop and wait: After some time had passed, you would find a business card and an inquiry note offering to purchase it. That decal had a certain attraction - perhaps due to its resemblance to the German Federal Eagle. The black edition was preferred, followed by the scarlet red.

[@edwardhotchkiss9085]

Toured Europe in 1971. Saw a gold firebird 400 ram air parked on the street. Had an idea that a friend would not buy into... wanted to do a upgraded bird to run on the Auto ban. Thought about trading classic american muscle for classic continental cars.

[@edwardhotchkiss9085]

The place I see where CB RADIO is used is at an asphalt plant. ( a form of traffic control?)

[@edwardhotchkiss9085]

Saw a formula firebird in denmark(a beauty.)

[@davidchicoine9209]

@@edwardhotchkiss9085 Good background info. Maybe that's why Revell model company in Germany came out with their new 1/8 scale '79 Firebird. It was an instant sale for me, even at 200 bucks.

[@fusionsvt00]

"No modifications nothing, just like the way it drove in 79". I love that too Jay. Amazing car

[@poolboyinla]

That's a good looking car.

[@incognito4rico]

Eye candy.

[@poolboyinla]

It's just not as good looking as my 86 Trans Am.

[@bashyamate2613]

No one cares about ur trans am

[@ka240torque]

Really? Check out the '78 Trans Am

[@gabthefisherman5030]

@@poolboyinla everyone owning a post 1981 trans am wish they had a 1979 trans am. Stop lying to yourself

[@bblaylk]

Kudos to Jay for mentioning Jerry Reed. If you're unfamiliar with his work, search KZbin and play anything he did. That guy was amazing!

[@r3tr0actiongamer24]

Hell of a college coach

[@slwtype]

Nice to see the denim making a comeback

[@Ladco77]

Jay always wears denim shirts and jeans for the garage episodes. He explained once that it makes things easier if they're filming over multiple days that they don't have to worry about the outfit changing from one scene to the next.

[@888johnmac]

@@Ladco77 .. for the last 6 months or so , it's been dark blue coveralls / overalls / boiler-suit .. but as Jay has said it's not about him

[@bostonphotographer20]

@Robert Dillahunstvalle SportModelTrashCanLidCurator Maybe, just maybe, because he's talking about the car and not trying to be funny.

[@bostonphotographer20]

@Robert Dillahunstvalle SportModelTrashCanLidCurator "meant to be"? A three decades plus career in comedy kind of confirms it. He loves cars and it shows.

[@eugeneelyjr3037]

You can definitely tell he enjoyed driving this car. I don't think I've ever heard him compliment a car so much!

[@kingelvis7035]

He should have read the car and driver review in the trunk. They were absolutely nuts about the car - particularly this version with the 220hp engine from '78 to early '79. They thought it was the equal of the corvette in about everything but price.

[@BadBlonde-CarHistory]

:)

[@bernlin2000]

A fine example of "they don't make them like they use to". Nimble yet also looks like a car you definitely wouldn't want to crash into lol.

[@ronconrad3507]

It's a 4 door P1

[@25Soupy]

It's the surprise factor. The lower your exceptions the greater the surprise!

[@Marshal-ek8xp]

The 400 Pontiac engine used in the 78-79 Trans -Am's & Formulas was underrated. The engine was factory rated at 220 hp but the NHRA dynoed a stock W72 at 260 hp.

[@blackericdenice]

That’s a lie.

[@bongodave13]

@@blackericdenice Reported by multiple sources.

[@blackericdenice]

@@bongodave13 That does not mean it's true.

[@bongodave13]

@@blackericdenice Proof?

[@blackericdenice]

@@bongodave13 Show me proof it had 260 hp.

[@jeffa.8976]

In 79 this was the fastest American car. It ran a 14.61, and handled great for the time with the Ws6 and w72 options.

[@ronaldwilliford301]

Finally Pontiac’s on Jay Leno’s Garage 👍 yes!!!

[@Knox089]

would be a good opportunity to feature the last Fiero built, which just sold for 90 grand.

[@christiantrail5313]

@@Knox089 one of my fav cars ever I’d love to see it

[@billboyden4067]

I had a 2M4. With all new struts, wheels & tires, tuneup, and radiator; a great little car. Then... reconfigured by a drunk. :(

[@rodguitarezz3482]

Larry The Cable Guy says in his hometown if you own a Trans Am with T Tops you're considered to be royalty,,,

[@MassiveBig]

And if the T Tops weatherstrip doesn't leak when it rains you are a god.

[@joeday4293]

If you want to hear one of my very favorite stories that involves a Trans Am with t-tops, you've got to listen to comedian Vic Henley tell "The Klan Story," about him and his high school buddies pranking some Klansmen in a silver T/A with the tops out: m.kzbin.info/www/bejne/sGemiaF8nsqmiKM

[@whotfisdarko5879]

then call me lawrence of arabia

[@BadBlonde-CarHistory]

LOL

[@rodguitarezz3482]

@@joeday4293 Thanks for the link; it was great. Vic reminds me of the late Jay Hickman's humor,,

[@chuckie008]

A lot of things I would go back and redo in those days if I could do it again. Not the car though. I had the 79 Trans Am when I turned 18 & with it made enough memories for a lifetime.

[@JoeR203]

The '70-'73 Firebird/Trans Am had the best looking front end.

[@zedwpd]

No more Burt, Jerry, or Pontiac and I was 13 in 1979. This makes me feel nostalgic and old.

[@pashakdescilly7517]

Cue jokes about 'spring chickens'

[@hensleyshobbies-doug7761]

Sht you ain’t the only one! Viking6. Hell I was 19 when that bird came out.

[@1962vid]

I was 17 when it came out. Smokey & Bandit is still one of my favorite movies

[@joeday4293]

I was seven. I had the extremely cool honor of accompanying my uncle to Williams Pontiac in Dothan, Alabama to pick up his brand new 1979 Trans Am one Saturday morning. I dressed up for the occasion too, in a red shirt and a little cowboy hat like the Bandit, LOL. You may think you're cool, but you'll never be "cruising with your uncle in his new Trans Am blasting Boston and KISS" cool. 👍

[@bobroberts2371]

8,200 in 1979 is 29,844 in 2020

[@michaeljordan6008]

Good to see Jay validating the late 70s Trans Am.

[@rightlanehog3151]

It only took 41 years.

[@r3tr0actiongamer24]

@@rightlanehog3151 didn’t know Jay had his car show for 41 years. Guess you gotta complain about something

[@jamesjordan4306]

i had one just like that, god i loved that car!!! miss it every day since then. mine had the 403 olds engine and automatic, as a calif. car.

[@bruceallen6016]

These cars really do come alive when you put some horsepower in them. I had a warmed up 455 in my 78. Thumb up to Jay for showing us this.

[@johnnydangerously7186]

The “Fire Bird” on the hood is what gives the car its character! Without it well it’s just another Pontiac.

[@steviedee71]

I don’t get why some people don’t like the bird car looks naked without it

[@jeromewlaker7464]

Phoenix

[@banjopete]

@@jeromewlaker7464 ,Chicken.

[@clintdavis9511]

@@banjopete Hood Pheonix aka FireChicken.

[@ronaldarchibald2506]

I have owned multiple firebirds and maybe 5 trans ams. Remarkably i have never had one with the bird on hood. Even my buccaneer red 77 had bird delete option.

[@patkaczmarek7362]

This car still looks really cool after all these years. Exceptional styling.

[@drg5352]

One of the few cars of the late 70's to really look great.

[@drobson8004]

They really are decent driving cars, they do handle surprisingly well. I was in my 1st police chase in one.

[@drg5352]

@@drobson8004 That sounds like a story right there... you weren't running block for some illegal Coors beer were you? :P

[@drobson8004]

@@drg5352 Nothing that cool bro'.

[@dreyn7780]

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. This model began the decline into A TYPE OF sporty that wasn't appreciated and resulted in the brand dieing.

[@bobtinker4213]

I love the 77-80 Trans Am’s! I know the government sucked the power out of them but they were fun cars that really did handle pretty good. Especially love the 4 speed ones.

[@TransAmDepot77]

These cars need no explanation! Love to see them getting driven as they should!

[@mikeo2420]

That design still looks great even today!👍💪

[@elbecko7969]

It really does

[@turbinexman]

You can tell Leno was having fun, driving that Trans Am!!

[@edwardgiugliano4925]

It's the manual transmission. He was really liking that.

[@tn18977]

@@edwardgiugliano4925 it's sad that so many of these cars were sold with the automatic, but I have noticed that many of the survivors have the manual transmission

[@turbinexman]

@@edwardgiugliano4925 Agreed!!

[@discerningmind]

@Me. Me The L48 isn't to be hated. The L48 had max torque down lower in the RPM's so they were sweeter driving around town, country roads, and not enough road to make full use out of the L82.

[@00nowhereman00]

Car guys tend to make a big deal out of horsepower. But what's more fun than driving everywhere with the pedal to the floor ? And not having to worry about it blowing up when you do ?

[@louisrichards3702]

money cant buy happiness ,but it can buy a Trans Am, which is just as good !!!!!

[@jeremytaylor3532]

Don't forget the Rockford Files Garner always had his gold edition that he did his 180s in. Although I hear it had souped up suspension.

[@jpc123voice]

Rocky Balboa had one too.

[@Tully3674]

Memory lane. I don't recall Jay mentioning how much he liked a car as often as in this video. Thanks Jay.

[@bigeegs95]

Agree. I think what we're hearing in his voice is surprise. He didn't think he was going to like it as much as he ended up liking it.

[@effinchad]

Depite being from an era of restricted power and lower build quality, it's an icon. Sure he didn't care for the "chicken". Some don't. My mom had one when I was in elementary and middle school in the 80s. And getting picked up in that thing turned heads. Memory lane indeed.

[@craigrobberts7673]

I had one of these with an automatic and an Oldsmobile 403 ci. HP WAS Closer to 320.

[@toddbob55]

The Decal on the hood is what makes it ICONIC ...... Im surprised Jay Doesn't like it.

[@paulb4uk]

very true i love it .

[@CoachatCole]

True! That’s the spirit of the era.

[@thedon9670]

Thats what I was thinking too.

[@jeffrogerswolff]

Jay's taste is different than the average man. Jay has $400 million in the bank.... that will change a person

[@victorolmos2627]

@@jeffrogerswolff that’s true

[@jonnysrods]

My 76 Trans Am is just as clean underneath. It has 86,000 well cared for miles and I love it! 400 Black on Black AT Posi

[@maggieo]

I had an '81 Turbo T/A and man, this one takes me back. I love these Trans Ams.

[@WayneB27]

The redline is actually 5000 rpm on the Pontiac L/78 W72 (TA 6.6) motor. The orange area begins at 4500 .

[@alliwishis2652]

@ oohh somebody's jealous

[@sabrehawk-427]

Yes the orange just tells you to be ready to grab another gear

[@brianforster2613]

Yes Jay missed that this is the Pontiac engine, which was available with the 4 SP only, automatics were equipped with the 403 Okds engine

[@User0000000000000004]

So it's not virtually 5000 rpm? Or theoretically 5000 rpm? You absolutely sure?

[@davidmcgovern2410]

Forget the tonight show, this is Jay Leno’s true calling. I like all the non rehearsed adlibbing. This was one of the cars the cool guys drove.

[@glennbeadshaw727]

I know some people who were totally not cool but drove the car because they needed the appearance

[@6catalina0]

7.57. “There’s the space saver spare with the air can that goes Pfffffffffff”. Nothing but giggles, Jay Leno, the Comedian.

[@paulbramucci7586]

I'm 61 yrs old and in the late 70's I owned a 76 ta 50 anniversary special,loved it still have dreams about it

[@murrayberg254]

I had one new in 1979. I want this one! I also want to be 40 years younger, but...

[@LaurieWilliams-lk8fc]

That's easy. Just say that you identify as 40 years younger, then every time anyone says you're not bring out the hate speech accusation.

[@robedmund9948]

Worked on my college roommate's Trans AM. What a PITA to work on! Especially under a carport in the winter! Fun to drive, though.

[@thebigpicture2032]

Jay looks cool driving in the Trans Am.

[@bryceweston8916]

Jay looks cool driving anything. He is just plain cool.

[@doug81337]

I was 12 when the '79 T/A was new & instantly fell in love😎 Beautiful car & love the silver & grey bird!

[@jamesjordan4306]

i had a 79 TA just like that one, but with the beige interior, and the Olds 403 & automatic. i loved that car, it did everything well, and looked great. miss it to this day, and was so proud to get it. the girls loved it too.

[@sc2422]

Mine came through black and gold with a hard top. 1-owner 1979 car. Not much is stock in it though.

[@born_again_torinos]

Jay discovers something that we have known for 40 years. Trans Ams are very loved. Welcome to the party late Jay.

[@meierb75]

The first car I remember realistically wanting was a black 1989 GTA.

[@Blaze-ing]

@@meierb75 such a badass car

[@adam6ism]

Bandit was a 76 model with a 77 nose cone the firebird and wheels and decals gold. Cool cars

[@z512345]

Jay, I beg to differ. I owned back in 1974 a Trans Am SD 455. advertised HP was 375. Dynoded at over 500HP. Never ever lost a street race with it. First thing I did when I purchased it , was had the chicken removed from the hood.🐔

[@nickthetoycollector3360]

The Flaming Chicken makes the car what it is. It is iconic just as much as the car is. A beautiful automobile.

[@robert89Ak]

The “cool, non-airbag steering wheel” 😂 love it

[@joeday4293]

Greatest American steering wheel ever? Greatest American steering wheel ever.

[@WarriorsPhoto]

Don't they look better?

[@BadBlonde-CarHistory]

LOL

[@Mitchell.Samuels]

Jay likes the old shitcans with no safety equipment,shifting gears with his head out the open window.

[@jelicoe]

@K M Even with the seat belt?

[@fc872e1]

I had a 76. It was a real slug. But after I removed the catalytic converter, installed true dual exhaust, and got the timing recurved, it became a monster. It was a completely different car. Loved that car

[@BuzzLOLOL]

It still needed decent pistons and a cam...

[@opera93]

Thanks, the 1976 TA BLACK/ Gold really got me: ordering my 1977 TA/ SE HURST HATCH ( which were problematic, seeping into bidy, etc),.. Hop ups were easy, etc.

[@mercmarc]

@BuzzLOLOL The weak link was the connecting rods particularly the bolts. If you wanted to rev to 6K often better upgrade.

[@jazzjokesjalopies]

Had a ‘79 Trans Am in California and loved it. Then moved back to MA and had kids and that was that.

[@Mariazellerbahn]

4:18 I had a '79 ... my speedo went up to 240 kph (150 mph), and I had it right round there once. It was a CKD Belgian built example for the US Air Force base at Upper Heyford (UK). It still had the staggered rear shocks that were a throwback idea to stop axle wind-up when they had single leaf springs back in 1967 ... they later beefed up the rear springs but the staggered shockers stayed even for the new body shapes. The worst design feature on these was the windscreen water was routed down the A pillars, along the sills (rockers) and out of a drain hole ahead of the rear wheels. This would get clogged with mud and eventually rot out the sills and wheel arches. This idea was lauded as an anti-rust feature whereby running water would not promote rust through condensation .... yeah right. Apart from the blocked outlet issues, those that unwittingly jacked up the rear of their car (as they did in the 70's), that water would just sit in the front of the sill and start rotting there.

[@steve0englewoodFL]

Grew up in Norwood Ohio, where the Firebirds and Camaro’s were manufactured. I remember seeing acres and acres of these beautiful cars parked around the plant. Also railroad transport cars filled with them. As kids, my best friend and I would stand outside the security fence and stare at all these beautiful cars, great memories. Later I bought a brand new 1975 Camaro, had it for 26 years, awesome car.

[@BUDS228]

I was 10 years old. This was all I wanted in life.

[@SuperTommyi]

I was 18 and that is all I ever wanted

[@joeday4293]

I was five. See profile pic.

[@BUDS228]

@Eugene Boucher never did

[@Andy-ms9vi]

I wrote an essay in fourth grade about what I would do in the future. I wrote that I would live in LA and be private investigator. Also that I would drive a Trans Am.

[@rhodium1096]

During the end of 70s...Trans-Am and Corvette were the dream of young people..

[@MyYingYangification]

The TA video was very special to me because my father purchased the same 1979 black bandit for me as my high school graduation present! I'll never forget how I loved that automobile. Thanks for featuring it.

[@blautens]

Our family had a 1978, the last year of the "good" front end (IMHO) thanks, Jay, for the memories....

[@vk2aafhamradio]

Very much agreed, I don't like the 4 bucket rubbernose at all. '77 & '78 were slick looking.

[@justjeepin]

I completely agree. They used the 77 in the first movie, the 79 in the second and the ugly 83 in the third movie that was just bad all around.

[@charleshenson4183]

79-81 was the sexiest Trans Am's ever,with 77-78 2nd & 72 era 3rd.

[@natew8882]

Actually the cars used in the first movie were 1976 models with the 455. 76 was the last year for the 455. General Motors supplied them with 1977 noses to make them look like the new 77 model. Little-known trivia....

[@jamesnoble8205]

@@justjeepin SATB 2 had a 1980 Turbo T/A that had to be modded with nitrous by the film crew to get any performance out of it. I actually really liked the '83 third gen used in Bandit 3

[@davidpayton8336]

I worked for a company called Hood Ind. here in Bakersfield between 1978-1979 and we made interior panels for GM cars. We made the T-Top and regular interior headliners for all the Camaros and Firebirds being assembled at the Van Nuys GM assembly plant.

[@wild_goose_0285]

When I push my car to 160kmh/100mph I want it to say with Leno's voice. "ONE HUNDRED MILES AN HOUR!"

[@billboyle7866]

My '79 L78-W72, WS6 is in the garage with a little over 48K on the odometer. Ordered it on Black Friday 1978, got it delivered May '79. Drove it for 3 full years than sporadically. During that time it saw action at auto crosses and a few runs down the strip. Mods started with a cam, then headers and dual exhaust, then an engine rebuild with more performance enrichments, a few drag and auto crosses, then more car shows...then a full new interior and exterior refinish. Also made one long cross country 2,600 mile cruise with my wife. TA is now only for car shows.

[@uio890138]

"The last time I saw legs like that they had a message tied to 'em." - The Bandit

[@robedmund9948]

Cue Bandit's laugh!!

[@richardtattersall647]

41 years old, but it still turns heads a great iconic American motor ,r.i.p Burt Reynolds

[@franlooving4203]

I bought one of these in 1992 to experience it & it was fun. I'm a slow driver but we still had fun in it. I'll never forget my friend collapsing in the dirt when he saw it. So silly. 😁

[@jamieround2072]

10 k really just 4 the footage of u & tony at daytona in the last trans am made in 2002.... & u said u guy's brought ' em all out all the trans am's way cool & u were saying u were working on a ' 66 trans am spirit wooooooooo love to see & hear some of the back story's of u finding ' em & buying & getting them on your trailor & back to where ever u do the work on all the rides ( no matter what's all wrong w/ ' em when u get ' em................... i member way back in the day's.......... U HONESTLY SHOWED US ALL U FINDING EM & GETTING THEM LOAD'D UP & SOME OF THE BACK STORY'S ON THE RIDES................................ !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! WHY DID U STOP DOING THAT SORT OF THING'S......................??????????????????????????????

[@supreme2005]

The Screaming Chicken is the best part of owning a Firebird !

[@alelectric2767]

🤘

[@BadBlonde-CarHistory]

LOLOL

[@J_Braz_]

If I had one I would install a rooster crow horn

[@cdizzle99z]

Phoenix is a lot cooler than a chicken

[@mercury0214]

@Natural Creature no it’s a chicken

[@MultiPetercool]

The dream car of every Italian kid I knew growing up in New Jersey!

[@GregGrude]

Until the IROC and Montecarlo SS took hold in the 80’s

[@mercoid]

One of the ultimate Guido cars... When your family owns the local pizza joint

[@aitortilla5128]

As opposed to the dream of every Italian Kid growing up in Italy who were dreaming about Ferraris.

[@raffaelenegroni5888]

And also a dream car for some Italian kids back then in Italy

[@gilliansapounakis8921]

In Toronto greeks had the Trans Ams and the Italians had the camaros.

[@worldsgreatestride9749]

Hi Jay, I am the proud original owner of a ‘79, manual transmission, Trans Am with less than 13,000 original miles. It’s my garage queen. It’s fully loaded and has air conditioning plus remote truck release located in the glove box which you did not state if this one had. No CB radio though or T top on mine because I did not want them - the “T” tops can leak and rattle. The ‘69 & ‘70 firebirds had a engine option called Ram Air IV. Look it up. This engine was way under rated from GM at just 370 HP. It’s more like 450 HP and comes complete with factory racing cam and lobing idle. Coolest thing about the engine is the lobing idle because it works the shaker hood and gives the car personality at the lights. My 1969 Ram Air IV engine is factory bone stock and blueprinted. It’s even equipped with the original Ram Air IV Quadrajet. Yes even the carburetor was special for this engine with the factory drilling holes in the primary butterflies to satisfy the choppy idle. I put this engine in my ‘79 TA way back in 1982 to satisfy the best of both worlds- the HP of the sixties and the handling/look of the 1979 models. Man it flys with the Ram Air IV engine option. If you think the 220HP engine is strong, you should feel this. Red line is at 6200! With the extended range of the red line I can get it up to 60 MPH in first gear due to the 3.23 WS6 Safety-Track rear end. Shift into second and it feels like its going to take off. I still have the original Pontiac 400 engine safely stored on a engine stand with only 9,850 miles. Here’s the KZbin of it in action: kzbin.info/www/bejne/nofdq2ewlLGcja8 This is filmed on Sandpiper and Pershing Drive down by LAX. Enjoy. And yes I listen to the Motorman every week.

[@Warshipmodelsunderway]

I had a 1971 with the 455 HO. My favorite of any vehicle I've ever had. I had swapped over a WS6 package from a 1979, so it had the upgraded suspension parts and the 2.3 turn steering box, which made it so much fun to drive. The flatter rear window, Ralley II wheels without the chrome trime, Cameo white with the single blue stripe all combined to make what I think was the best looking for all the TA's. The speedometer went to 160 for a good reason, but it started to lif and get squirrelly over 120 or so.

[@stephenflowers8516]

70 through 72 Blue with white stripe is definitely the best looking and performing T/A of second generation. In my opinion when they changed the body style for 3rd generation they destroyed the T/A.

[@Omegaspeedmaster69]

A friend of mine said he doesn't like these cars. I think he's just trans phobic.

[@smokestack29]

You need to stop. LOL!

[@stuffhappens5681]

Many of the straight engined folks didn’t care for the Trans package and didn’t think it was fair they compete in the same races let alone be allowed in the same service area.

[@quad5186]

Black T/A’s Matter!

[@joshuakhaos4451]

I think I'm going to start calling Tans Am haters Transphobes from now on. Thanks for making my weekend Lol

[@snmthecloser]

Excuse me sir, but my wife has transphobia, which is a very crippling medical disease. Every time she sees a T-Top she collapses and must be taken to a hospital immediately.

[@marksimpson3968]

The car many of us lusted after in high school. The profile of this still makes my heart pitter patter a little. Cheers from Chattanooga.

[@tpike32]

That was my car in high school

[@heatherlee9450]

We just bought a 79 trans am with 58000 original miles. She runs and drives perfect just needs better paint. We still have the original window sticker too! I love it.

[@ted_kazinsky]

I watched two double unskibbable ads for this And it's worth it

[@garyphilip3382]

The Rockford Files also gave the Firebird a lot of exposure.

[@macgto]

Side note: James Garner did not like the 79 restyle of the front fascia, so he kept the 78 model until the series ended in 1981. Also, the cars used in the series were actually Firebird Formulas, "dressed down" to look like an Esprit. The Sierra Gold paint was also a custom mixed, non factory color so the producers could maintain continuity from season to season.

[@Torsee]

Loved those J turns! I do those with my Lawn Tractor 😂

[@mercoid]

@@macgto ....I remember an episode of Rockford in which he’s telling a valet to get his “Tan Firebird”.

[@macgto]

@@mercoid I'm sure in a generic sense, Sierra Gold could be considered "tan"

[@jjs777fzr]

And the Rockford J turn.

[@marlontransporter]

This has always been one of the best looking muscle cars to ever come out of America!

[@BadBlonde-CarHistory]

Quite a looker

[@senatorjosephmccarthy2720]

Yep!

[@johndrake2729]

Oh yeah.

[@stephenmanion3418]

i agree.!!!!!!!!

[@stephenmanion3418]

@@Qbnsizzle no class

[@JohnMcNece]

There must have been a good bit of excellent engineering involved, I agree with Jay. It's more believable that it's over three hundred horses than two. My cousin had one very similar, I felt thrown back into the seat when he would floor it. The looks of the car are sorely missing on today's rides.

[@americanpatriot2422]

I miss my 77 and 79 Trans Ams. They were classics to own in the beginning of the 80s.

[@quiethumour9856]

If I remember correctly, the 1979 TA was GM's fastest car in their stable that year, even beating the Corvette.

[@truckerkevthepaidtourist]

and 79 it doesn't say much those things were so smogged and bogged to the hilt it wasn't even funny. but one thing Pontiac always had just like Buick they did have torque

[@pigybak]

“what the hell is the world coming to?!” Sheriff B.T. Justice

[@pigybak]

@Jimmy Lundberg, 10-4!!!

[@aaronlopez3585]

Most profound question.

[@joelasss8229]

There is Noo way Nooooo way you came from my loins

[@keonjenkins1852]

Give me a Diablo Sandwich, a Dr. Pepper, and make it fast I’m in a goddamn hurry!

[@BadBlonde-CarHistory]

10-4

[@michaelhorn4540]

I had a 1980 trans am with the 301, and I absolutely loved it and wish I still had it today

[@ms79ta]

I've had my baby for almost 35 years and it rocks!! 🤘

[@ColeAviation]

Brings me back to the 80’s. 👍🏼 Burt Reynolds was my favorite.

[@carcrashcompilation9459]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/n56smWSZq52VfLM

[@kevin-vt7dw]

Loni ripped Burts heart and soul right out of him

[@rpdobbler]

Nice Piper cub in your avatar sir! My pops had a J3 for almost 20 years!

[@lukespack]

Hee Haw too?

[@phillm156]

Only if I can bring the money I’ve made.

[@SF80CAMARO]

Still have my 80' Black 3tone Red Stripes Z28 w Ttops numbers matching LM1.. from High School Grad 88'... Still drive it today.

[@dwevors]

My friend had one in 79. He let me drive it a lot! It was the baddest car around. It would kill the Camaro's. It has always been said it actually had more horsepower than was rated!

[@michaelmucci5072]

Pretty good Hood Fit and rear spoiler for Norwood, It was a multi level plant and the body shop was a block from the rest of the plant, At the VAN NUYS plant 62 cars a hour Norwood 48, Hollywood sells cars and once in a while a Star would show up Burt Reynolds and Winchell Donuts showed up at 2nd shift for a thanks, and support for us Auto Workers he shelled out 4,000$ was alot JUST one little article about that in our plant news paper, but fenders changed on every other PONTIAC, turn out they stacked to many from stamping and steel bands to keep them safe a Train ride from back East, was warping them from weight causing big gaps on driver side fit , Thanks Jay for this the Formula was my favorite

[@TheTPAL]

i own one with 62 k miles pure stock ran a 14.83 in the 1/4 mile. the last year for the pontiac 400 they used the pontiac blocks from 1978 that they saved for the ws6 .

[@dew2667]

PMD held 10,000 of the T/A 6.6 400s from 78 to go in Firebirds for 79 knowing it was getting replaced by the 301 Turbo....a sad day indeed. RIP Pontiac.....

[@droogii1142]

That car is just a beautiful. Reminds me of the 70's

[@SuperTommyi]

Yes it does

[@jamesnoble8205]

That's why that gen of Trans Ams are sometimes referred to as "disco mobiles"

[@carpenoctem4456]

82 Trans Am is one of my dream cars.

[@User0000000000000004]

The Knight Rider car? Why don't you try a few years later, the 1988 GTA? That's the one I always loved because it was the first one that went fast. Those GTA Firebirds from 1988 and 1989 with the LT1 looked like the Knight Rider car but they had all the fancy gold trimmings from the earlier T/A cars and they were fast! I doubt you could find a clean example today for under $30k.

[@timjohn2810]

Beautiful Firebird, excellent curb appeal, great performance for the era. Very classy and the graphics are a must, totally makes the car for visual impact.

[@ProductofNZ]

The classic Trans Am is one of the truly desirable US made cars. Good looks, good sound, burnouts.

[@leevancleefe988]

One of those very rare cars that still creates desire. The emblem on the bonnet was best in the gold colour. The car has a great stance,and looks great on the move. Vastly underrated.

[@n.v.1258]

"It's been babyed It's whole life" , except when Jay drove it 😁

[@calimongoose8433]

I feel the same . The car is addictive. One of my favorites. Deceptively fast, really fast. Great car. Wish Pontiac wAs still around.

[@johnnymason2460]

I agree with you. Pontiac should still be around. The Firebird and Trans Am would still be around today probably still based on the current Camaro.

[@79thump8]

This was my second car. But white with a red bird, red interior and smoked tops. I miss that car.

[@joeday4293]

Red (or "carmine," to be specific) is the best interior color in these. Second place is a tie for every color except that stupid powder blue. LOL

[@fleetwin1]

If only we took care of great cars like this when we had them....

[@danielbriggs1229]

The trans am is and will always be my favorite car of all time!

[@BuzzLOLOL]

I still have my '87 Trans Am GTA in black... i.pinimg.com/originals/0a/6e/92/0a6e925d76ea7b8a50b40ef04eb7a4b5.jpg

[@User0000000000000004]

No it isn't.

[@TheSpooty123]

@@User0000000000000004 Get back in your DeLorean, Marty 🤣

[@jerrycraig6522]

I sure hope you're alright Jay, this is the first video I've watched since you got burned, SO get better and in your own time, we'll be here whenever you get back!!!

[@rancidoverwelm]

When I was about 8, my uncle had this car. He pulled the 6.6 and dropped a 454 big block in it. Man... 2 solid black lines with thick white smoke. First time he took me for a ride, he popped the t tops and put a $100 bill on the dash and said if you can grab it, it's yours. That moment, the roar of the motor pounding in my chest and being unable to peel myself from the seat, an 8 year old kid fell in love with American muscle, specially, Trans ams.