This 27K Mile 1979 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am is a terrible car, and here's why I love it *SOLD*

[@pgboyinthehouse9041]

Just damn! Beautiful car. I still have my mother's. Bought it for her back in 2002. I built the pontiac 400 in my garage, kept 4 spd and rebuilt front and rear suspension. She sewed all new interior herself. She unfortunately only drove it one time on her birthday. Passed away the following morning. But she drove the hell out of it. Six months later I received a letter in the mail. Failure to Appear and copy of a 135 mph speeding ticket past A California Highway Patrol weigh station😁😁 Go Mom!!! Have that ticket on my wall till this day😃

[@williammorgan1880]

she sounds incredible 😁

[@bongodave13]

Your mom was way cool! Sorry for your loss.

[@opera93]

Thanks, Great Memories… Anyways, mine was the performances, of **& seeing the **76 TA//Black Gold, I fell for:: ordering a **1977 SPECIAL ED/ Hurst Hatches/6.6 L / Velour/ loaded/ ZIEBARTED….fortunately the LOW HP 1977, engine easy to tune-up , ETC …. INTERESTINGLY, by 1997 about unsafe to drive , in N Indiana road salt & inner RUST… STARTED BODY OFF, gave up….remembering , the Salvage GUY paid $100 Me to cart away((* about 20%of value if one **Snowflake GOLD SE Wheel’s, etc)….lot of miles & use!!

[@opera93]

Thanks, incredible, Great story & stuff!! Anything more:: options, which TA, PARTS ON! , find out anything else???? Interestingly, I ordered a 77 TA/Special Ed/ Hurst Hatch ( always seeped/ leaked )/ loaded::: building up carefully:: still low on HP, BUT great Speed (!,!) , & HANDLING! * ps ordered in OCT 1976, + all GM Manuel’s/ Zeibart, etc: before “” Smokey & BANDIT MOVIE, ETC. Though did bump into one acquaintances, Movie worker, said he helped Oreo/ Clean the “” Seven + one TA’s) for Movie, (maybe 1985?approx)…

[@opera93]

Thanks m ps also,,, What Suspensions did you use… ?? back in the DAY:: 1977-79 , I went KONI, HO PRODUCTS Sway/ Grommets/ Eagles GOODYEAR, ETC…Actually enjoyed working on the TA, ETC..(( ps: I went back to VALVOLINE Racing Oils, as new Pridcts, the MOBIL ONE ALL SYNTHETC ,made a little “”to much noise “” in most ::: Engine operating modes……. Interestingly back to VALVOLINE, NIw **full SYNTHETIC for both our Vehicles ,@ my Mechanics(I cut back most of wrenching at 75 years young,etc…

[@MisterMikeTexas]

I'd take a Firebird over a Camaro any day. Not that I hate Camaros, it's just that it's nice to not see yourself coming and going. And the Firebird/Firebird Trans Am of this time was just much better looking.

[@johnchalleen3278]

Heavier duty too.

[@jimmycline4778]

I liked the Camaro better!

[@glennbonnell4241]

going over a bank lol

[@negativeindustrial]

They’re the same fucking car

[@Hathorr1067]

Change the fenders, hood, front and rear plastics and the dashboard, and you have a Camaro.

[@ThomasMichaelTX]

Bill, you crack me up! Way more entertaining than Doug DeMuro.

[@8corymix8]

Doug is a clown. Bill is awesome

[@gary1705]

Thomas Michael I can’t stand Doug DeMuro ... he’s too in your face for me 🤪

[@paulmarcoux207]

Who is this guy?!! The car awesome. He seems very

[@paulmarcoux207]

Who is this guy?!! He seems very knowledgeable about Pontiac. But all the rambling on b*******. Is a huge turn off to the video! I wish you'd just shut up! And talk about the car. Show off this car.

[@paulparoma]

Doug DeMuro is an idiot who has no class, knows nothing about cars, but thinks he is a star. Bill is a classy guy, kind of old-school, with a great sense of humor and vast car knowledge.

[@gsthree9534]

Never heard "hicksploitation". Great word.

[@trsdglobal]

Had a Yellow 1976 Trans AM ... purchased it in 1977 ... installed B&M shift kit on the auto transmission, drove it coast to coast was a lot of fun and a great car for the time!

[@deadprivacy]

one the greatest looking cars ever to come out of america. its just beautiful.

[@papimiami1938]

That's like saying a mullet is the greatest hairstyle of all time . It is an iconic car ... But EXTREMELY cheesy .... Look at this ,then look at a 1958 Bonneville convertible and tell me this is beautiful

[@deadprivacy]

@@papimiami1938 theres no accounting for taste, the 58 bonneville is quite literally the car that homer designed in that simpsons episode, overblown and fancy with way too many design features, its a mess, a classless gaudy mess from when american designers were attempting to emulate classy european automobiles but just throwing chrome at it, its not a 55 chevy.

[@papimiami1938]

@@deadprivacy and a trans am was in every trailer park well into the 1990s . After that 1-2 %of the original owners actually have a positive net worth enough to drive the price of these shitboxes to ridiculous amount (anything over 1500 dollars) . Ugly , cheaply built , GUTLESS fuel hogs, did not stop and did not steer . This car epitomizes every negative stereotype of American built cars . Yeah any pre 1966 American car is substancially superior

[@deadprivacy]

@@papimiami1938 i didnt say it was any good, just a thing of beauty, its when america put their true personality into a car, the rover sd1 for example here in the uk, bags of junk but truly beautiful in a way a snob like yourself could never appreciate. its not really a stereotype when america has built truly fucking awful cars for its entire existence, every single one bar a couple were , are and always will be heavy, fuel hogging monstrosities, this trans am just represents the peak of that, and is therefore a truly beautiful classic. if you want quality? even going pre 66 wont get you that in america, lol. although ive got a soft spot for a packard or a studebaker.

[@deadprivacy]

@@papimiami1938 and the mk1 ford escort was in every travellers camp in the uk well into the 1990s, you cant buy one for less than 20 grand these days. you are a snob, its not my fault but that trans am, is iconic, unique and truly a thing of beauty, you can keep your 57 belairs and ridiculous plymouth superbirds and that gaudy monstrosity 58 bonneville pimp bus.

[@Nicknoise]

“It’s the 70s everyone’s into disco, nobodies shooting anyone” lmao love your commentary

[@sunset986S]

Thank you Bill for the trip down memory lane. I seem to have misplaced my youth...has anyone seen it?

[@dxrflyboy]

Flying down the highway, laughing at the double nickels sign, hearing the engine roar, blasting "Panama", "I Can't Drive 55", "Highway to Hell", etc. etc. Good times!

[@michaelleffler5219]

had a couple of these in high school. loved them. mullet optional.

[@robertm4735]

😆

[@caramel993]

😭

[@thadevilzadvocate]

@Marcos C Gotta have the mustache and shades to go with that mullet.

[@colingoldthorpe5918]

Bill you are awesome, love the videos keep them coming you are a true gentleman with a great sense of humour. Takes us back to the old days where we didn't wrap ourselves in foam to prevent getting hurt, we just went and did shit for the fun of it. I miss those days dearly.

[@titoqwentezproductionz3406]

me too

[@josephromano6825]

These were one of the coolest looking cars! May not have a lot of power but still is a good looking car.

[@Silverado1st]

Loved the commentary! Awesome review. I'm a 23yr retired Army mechanic and just starting to restore my white '79, 275,000 miles, same as this model but 10th anniversary LE 4 wheel disc. Actually 2 working discs, I crimped the rear brake line, poor mans line lock lol. Bought it back in 90 with my GI-bill college fund. Didn't need college, I did need a Trans-Am! Bought it off of my towns retired police chief's daughter. Got honked and waved at by a lot of officers after that. First thing I did was lose all the emissions control crap and took off the AC pump. They had a clause for older cars that said if it was gonna cost over a certain amount to repair the exhaust emissions, you get a pass for free. Not sure if that's still in effect. Plus I had a few friends that worked at state inspection stations. Well after 14 years of sitting in storage, gonna see if she has one more dance left in her. Its not just the car, its all the great memories that go with it! Can't even count how many times that cars been spun around on a wet highway, the Oh-shit bar works, or friends who got tickets in that car, but two DWI's that I know of. Not to mention blood sweat tears and knuckle busters to keep it on the road :-D Thanks for a great ride down memory lane!

[@freedomfighter69]

My dad took me to see Smokey & the Bandit when I was 8. When the Trans Am rolled out I told myself I'm going to own one some day. When I was 20, I took possession of a second owner 77 T/A Auto no T tops and felt like I'd been passed on to heavens gate when I drove it:).

[@opera93]

Thanks. Me too. Interestingly, ordered mine in OCT 1976: ( before SMOKEY/ Bandit), got it March 1977((oddly, the MODEL 1976;**Black,*Gold TA got me interested) , & MOTOR TREND . LONG story

[@AADX74]

I had an 83 T/A and loved it. Thank you for the trip down memory lane. A great video and review and just love the visit. Thanks Bill! :)

[@gary1705]

Didn’t Jim Rockford from Rockford files drive a nice gold version I always loved that car. 👌

[@borismcgillicutty3042]

He drove a 75 firebird I believe

[@dwoodog]

@@borismcgillicutty3042 Looked to me like he drove what would be equal to the Berlineta edition of the Camaro. Like the luxury edition. I don't think I ever saw Rockford do a big burn out? But I didn't watch the show that much.

[@borismcgillicutty3042]

@@dwoodog i watched it a lot in the 70s I honestly don't remember ......i remember the car and the cheesy intro with James garner...guess it was better than driving a pinto or a Ltd back then

[@borismcgillicutty3042]

@@dwoodog whatever year it was definitely pre 79 like 75 I'm pretty aure, maybe 74....but it was the type with no spoiler, more of the generic firebird. They had a camaro v6 like that too in the 70s...slower than dog sh/t

[@wallyfronzaglio372]

He drove formulas trimed out as an esprit for the show

[@rico4you]

Finally Bill after teasing us with other videos seeing the TransAm behind the scenes! What a beauty What an icon! Love it!!

[@chrissobczak6351]

This is a great video. You really summed up what it was like to have this car. I used my discharge money from the Army in the late 90s to buy my dream car, a 1980 Firebird Esprit that was untouched and owned by a school teacher. After that I was able yo buy a 1980 Turbo and a 1976 Super Duty (parts cars) to make a car I loved. A 1980 firebird with a 1976 super duty and sexy ass 1980 turbo interior/ hood. Your description of this car is perfect and I am glad you made it so future generations can see what it was like to grab one of these when time allowed us kids were able to afford them and fuck with them.

[@nobodyimportant407]

403 was an underrated motor . lots of low end torque in its day. Delorean was arrested for dealing drugs and it was a full front page story. When all charges were dropped it was a paragraph somewhere in the back.

[@winstonmccollum8992]

I owned A 400 4 SPEED 79 T/A FROM 1980 TO 1992..... have owned a 79 Olds 403 T/A since 2000........the Olds 403 is faster in the quarter mile (15.9 versus 15.3) and gets better gas mileage.

[@lonmcq7317]

@@winstonmccollum8992 The Pontiac would chew the 403 without breaking a sweat... Good Lord...

[@thud9797]

The 403 could be made to run, it took a little work but was an oversquare engine with a bigger bore than stroke. The 2.41 gear is really what killed it and would have been much quicker with a 3.23.

[@yettobseen]

Was given my mother’s 74 camero 350 it had a/c amfm. I got it in 79 with 18 thousand miles! My first car. Wish I still had it.

[@garthlocklin6355]

I was the luckiest teenager in 1978-79; I worked at the local Pontiac dealer as a car washer and mostly on the used lot but sometimes those cars were delivered new with broken windows from that plant in Tarrytown, NY; kids would throw rocks at the trucks that delivered them. (Have you noticed trains now have aluminum shields on the sides? Hillbilly's would swill beer and shoot them these days.) All the cars had 2.5 to 2.7 miles on them. You're right, they were smogged down and slow compared to some the 1967-71 cars on the used lot but that radial tuned steering and a 4 speed made driving them a joy. I would occasionally drive a new one with a dent or broken window to the body shop 5 miles away and then my job was "Test Pilot". After a few years the T-tops always leaked. While working for another dealer later in life as a buyer/wholesaler we had a kid who worked there who owned a rusty one like yours with 180K miles and he was going to junk it, 1996 for $200. We spent the afternoon taking turns trying to outdo each other on the back lot, smoking the tires. Believe it or not that Radial Tuned Steering felt just as nimble in the worn out car.

[@kevinl6231]

I sooooooo wanted to buy one. I was 23 at the time. There was an orange/red one with the same interior at Boas Pontiac in SF. The things that prevented me from buying it was it didn’t have the tilt wheel and I didn’t have a covered garage. It would have been reckless. Instead, I saved the money for a house.

[@ranekeisenkralle8265]

All those references to that movie brings back a lot of memories. As a kid I loved that movie - and I like that type of oldschool car to this day. Thanks for making my day.

[@md_vandenberg]

My first car was also a '79 Trans Am. Got it from my Uncle, the original owner. Mine was also white on red but with a gold screamin' chicken and a hard-top. Was nowhere near the pristine shape of this beast, as I got mine in 2004. The gutless Olds 403 wasn't meant for racing but cruising, not to say it couldn't embarrass someone at a stop light. Had an early 80s Pioneer cassette deck and matching 6x9 speakers, still worked and sounded great. Interior was pretty damn worn out by the California sun and it smelled like a damp, oily shop rag. GM quality everyone! Now I've got a 2002 Firebird, the last year for the breed. That Buick 3.8 pulls _hard_ compared to that Olds V8. Can't wait to strap a supercharger to it.

[@cubbysrig]

Please! Ramble on! Every time I watch your channel, I tell my wife I’m going to school. I learn so much from you, and I’m older, and I used to think I was a car buff! Some of the stories you tell, I’ve already hard, but I like the way you tell it, better!

[@humbleevidenceaccepter7712]

1979 GM 6.6 litre V-8: 185 horsepower. 2020 GM 2.0 litre Turbo I-4: 250 horsepower. And 35 MPG.

[@deadartapart]

Fuck that 4 cylinder piece of shit, turbo is gonna die at 120k .

[@4ahr]

Ok.. Thats genration hasnt fuel injection "electrical" but pure Exhaust sound and pure power. If you miss the turbo you can change it to EFI with Computer system then add the turbo. You will get more than 500.

[@daubendiek]

Had a silver 79 T/A with the same interior.. loved it. The only draw back was the seats don't recline

[@michaelbarnes9255]

I agree... had a 77 T/A and that was the only thing I didn't like as well. The seats could have been better but other than that an awsome car even today.

[@frigglebiscuit7484]

i dont know why it took so long for car manufacturers to do that....id kill for reclining seats in an older car.

[@paulnye6025]

My first car was also a 79 Formula. Miss her so much. It was 11 years old when I got her. Had the 403 olds. I took out the smog control, removed catalytic converter put a shift kit in the TH350 and put a 373 posi. Was able to run mid 14s at the bracket pizza races. Thought it was hot shit back then

[@woodscrafter1971]

Not my first car, but the first car I bought purely out of lust. A '79 T/A that was metallic blue with no screaming chicken decals that is to this day the best looking car I've owned. That's an awesome car and the condition is stunning!! What a find...

[@nickmyron8284]

I remember the day I went to buy my 79 T/A in the late 80's. Mine was exactly like this one except for silver exterior, light blue interior, and WS6 suspension. I never forget the feeling of that first trip home!

[@klaas1961]

as always great test ride by bill. nice original car. over here in the netherlands they go fore €12000-€30000 depending on shape and originality. in general the transams cost indeed more than the formula. the 1981 turbo is very rare over here.

[@stingraykenx]

Laughed when the tach quit when he first pulled out! Super nice, well preserved machine just the same. LOVE that shaker hood! Don't see it on the AEN site any more so it must have sold, hopefully new owner is happy.

[@PaulyV56]

I saw that too

[@heatmoon]

Brutally honest. Finally someone who knows cars who can tell me what the hell happened in the mid 70s to the early 80s. I had a1973 Charger SE with a 440 magnum. The last year.

[@1deadly187]

Had a 79 with a 455 when I was 17. It passed everything except the gas station...

[@johnb2370]

Did you replace the engine? Or did you get it that way with the engine already changed out?

[@1deadly187]

@@johnb2370 I got it that way. The person before my friend that I bought it from put a 76 Pontiac 455 in it, awesome saphire pearl paint, chrome roll bar, different wheels and a few other things. It was a T-top car. One of the many cars I regret not holding onto....

[@1deadly187]

@Sean Gavin Probably didn't have a 455 ci engine then.. lol..

[@thundermind5572]

You guys keep the best cars in the world in stock. My niece is a resident in sunny Florida. I can't wait to come down for a visit. Well done. Keep up the great work.

[@peterwindle4453]

The HP from the engine is just mind-blowingly bad for such a huge displacement. 2022 and you get a 3 cylinder with more power and incredible fuel efficiency.

[@jpp9846]

This salesman does a great job with the story behind the car. And it doesn't feel rehearsed.

[@melrose9252]

Nice bird and a survivor. I bought a new a 78 with the T/A 6.6 220 hp (W72). The Red 8” Snowflakes are not a factory option. They were either gold or silver. These were fun cars to drive. I disagree that a Honda Accord would out handle.

[@Clearanceman2]

I think the biggest thing is the platform. You can take one of these, put a serious engine in it and upgrade the trans and handling and it become a gorgeous high performance car. I saw a show where they just put an overdrive unit on the trans and it transformed it. But imagine an LS engine, handling upgrades and a modern 6 speed manual.

[@generalzod7959]

yep, the engine bay is massive and you can put almost anything you want in there!

[@juaneramirez3350]

That’s literally my plan for my old 79 firechicken!

[@davidrobinson8999]

Great history lesson by BILL including DeLorean lineage. Love it! This man knows his cars!

[@liti1gator]

Loved this video.. my first car was the white special edition 1979... (i turned 16 in '87) same car except i had blue interior. loved the flashback it brought.. thank you.

[@justsumguy2u]

That's an amazing car! I had a '79 T/A, a 66k mile original in Lucerne Blue w/white interior. There was one thing I could never figure out about the 403-powered T/A though, and that's the hood scoop. All of the cowl induction/ram air parts were there from the factory, but for some weird reason, Pontiac didn't cut out the back of the hood scoop to make it functional. I did on mine

[@patricktenn7996]

GM did that, because it would not pass noise pollution law.

[@christianobrien4465]

Has anyone ever asked to just come down and meet you, just talk with you? Can't afford the jag. But maybe something. I enjoy these videos so much. Thanks Bill

[@drdean9913]

Funny how this brought a smile to my face. Well Done Bill. Well done.

[@michaelr4063]

Nice one Bill. U pretty much got the 403 Olds/400 Pontiac thing right, but I'll clarify; By 1979, Pontiac knew full well that there was no way their 400 V8 was going to comply with upcoming federal government emissions and fuel mileage standards taking effect for 1980 model cars. Nor was there a feasible way to effectively "re-engineer" the 400 to become compliant. They'd been de-tuning the 400 throughout the '70s to satisfy the ever increasing EPA demands, and could go no further without a complete re-design clean sheet approach, which begat the 301 V8 (loosely based on the 400) and 301 Turbo V8 program, which was unfortunately dropped entirely after 1981 never having seen it's full potential, thus ending Pontiac V8 production forever. The 301 is another story however, but by 1979 the big cube, big power 400 was doomed. Pontiac stopped producing their option code W72 400 cubic inch 220 horsepower V8 in 1978. The 220 hp rating is VERY misleading as an enthusiast magazine at the time came up with a more realistic 265 horsepower from a STOCK W72 400. So for 1979 Pontiac was just using up it's stockpile of assembled 400's. Obviously, there was a finite number of 400's available. The only way to get a Pontiac 400 in your '79 Trans Am was to order a 4 speed stick. This automatically got you the performance 3:23 'Safe-T-Track' rear axle. The Olds 403 was only available with an automatic with a more EPA friendly 2:79 (possibly with a 3:08 gear set being an option? This is all from memory.) I believe the reasoning for auto/4speed availability was that GM had made the switch from the bulletproof TH 400 automatic to the lighter weight TH 350, and the W72 400 Pontiac made more power than the TH 350 could withstand. You're absolutely correct, in 1979 the magic callout T/A 6.6 on the shaker denotes 400/4speed/performance axle and 6.6 Liter denotes 403 auto. Back then most people probably didn't care. The Trans Am was all image, and the 403 had enough power to do Burt Reynolds type smoky burnouts all day long. Made everyone seem a lot ehhh...., "Taller" on the radio. What in the hell is this world coming to??

[@1972jwalk]

You do the best reviews on KZbin! This is awesome!

[@Nomah1979]

I must say of all the car sales men I watch on KZbin, you are the only one that points out the good places to put your hand guns

[@revokdaryl1]

My mom and dad had a '79 Trans Am in the early 80's and they told me it was frequently vandalized. Never any damage to the paint, but one time some knucklehead put cinderblocks under the mufflers and they were torn right off as they drove away one day.

[@dr.detroit1514]

I owned a '71 T/A for a while in the late 70's, white with blue stripe, automatic. It had about 40K miles on it when I got it. AM radio, power steering, power brakes, tinted glass, deluxe interior and console, no other options. A decent combination of power, handling and looks. A power sliding demon, any corner or curve was very fun. In a straight line it was no HEMI or solid lifter Rat, but decent. I would rail it around and round cloverleafs just for the rush. It did take some work to keep it on the road. Got about 10 miles to the gallon of gas.

[@emeyer6963]

Originally those headlights were supposed to have motorized doors on them to cover them when they were off but GM bean counters said no way to the cost and they kept them uncovered.My neighbor ordered one of the 1st 79'Formula's in black with gold bottom and tan interior.Sharp car in the day.

[@glennhuntiv7122]

Very beautiful car ....... I had one same year I found in a junkyard no tires missing the passenger side door half a motor bad transmission. This is how I learned how to turn a wrench. Miss it should had kept it. Later I bought a 86 t/a miss that one too.

[@jeffmosier6014]

I can remember in 1984 and a just graduated HS senior my very best friend got a bunch of money from his father he never really knew. Any how he bought a black T/A with the T/A 6.6. Before he even rough it home he took to Antonio's race engine builders and spent insane money and had it built to the hilt. Also had them remove the Super Chicken decal and had a custom one painted on the hood, then 6 coats of clear coat. Looked like you could jump into the paint. Had a the baddest custom stereo installed and would actually get so loud it would bust the T-Tops. That fucking car was absolutely insane. I can remember going down the road blasting Queensryche's 84 album. I was so respectvely jellie maybe cause he at the same time bought a Chevy Monza that was damn insane itself. He passed away a few years ago cause he just wouldn't get a C-PAP he desperately needed. I'll still and always will always miss Steve. Memories can be great and or hauntingly depressing.

[@olddisneylandtickets]

The 75-79 Nova front suspension and subframe assembly were based on the 70-81 F-Body Firebird front suspension and subframe assembly, not the other way around.

[@jsivco3sivco785]

My 1979 Trans Am came with a 403 ci ("6.6 liter") Oldsmobile engine rather than the (discontinued) 400 ci Pontiac Engine. It was the 10th Anniversary T/A, but it had the big 14 mpg engine that put out merely 180 net HP. My next car was a 1986 Chev. Monte Carlo SS, having a 305 (5.0) engine, putting out 180 HP also,

[@TraveladvRajanSRai]

Torq. Can tune motor to 280. 305lil less but good mpg

[@Militiaman71]

Rare to see one in such good shape. Most people raw dogged the hell out of them Just about all used ones were junk or built from other cars. My 1st car was a 1971 Mercury Comet. My CB handle was "Roadkill" because I was always broke down on side of the road.

[@Walkingmansam]

This lockdown is making me mad luckily videos like this are keeping me entertained....thankyou

[@BuilttoCreate]

I never really thought about it until this video and don't get me wrong, I love it. But a huge bird decal that takes up the whole entire hood, from the factory, is so wonderfully insane. It really makes the whole car though. I can't think of any other car that had a decal like that. Racing stripes would be the closest thing I can think of. '76 and the 77- '78 where my favorites.

[@grand73am]

Love the car and enjoyed the video. A few small corrections though. The Radial Tuned Suspension emblem on the dash was on all 79 TA's, not just ones with WS6. The "fishscale" design on the dash bezel is actually called "engine turned". And all 79 TA's had posi-traction (called Saf-T-Track by Pontiac) , so that car would have a posi. The car looks to be in great condition. I imagine you had no trouble selling it.

[@MarinCipollina]

Bill never said the RTS plaque was on WS6 only vehicles. Only that if it were equipped with the WS6 package, it would have been so noted underneath the RTS plaque. I know because I owned one. And don't insult Bill by suggesting he doesn't know what engine turned is. What farm truck did you fall off of ?

[@grand73am]

@@MarinCipollina No, if it were a WS6, it would NOT be "so noted underneath the RTS plaque". There was never anything on the instrument panel to indicate whether the car has WS6 or not. I know because I currently own 4 79 TA's, and am a professional restorer. You say you USED to own one. Really? A 79 TA? How long ago was that....since apparently your feeble memory has faded? Facts are facts, and you should get yours straight before mouthing off. You're just making yourself look foolish. Now, I expect more insults and potential profanity as is typical of the immature mind. Flame on, but if you check the facts, you'll see I'm right. And I doubt Bill was insulted by my comments, which were meant to be helpful, and I was complimentary to the car and his video. And I'd bet he doesn't need somcebody like you to defend him.

[@frigglebiscuit7484]

@@MarinCipollina dude, those decals were on EVERY single trans am i ever saw, especially 79.

[@frigglebiscuit7484]

also, in 79 they ran out of disc brake rear ends, so they offered the ws7 package, which was just the 78 ws6....drum brake rears.

[@MarinCipollina]

@@grand73am Sorry to disappoint, but there won't be any insults or profanity from me. I find it fascinating that you see fit to predict the future behavior of someone you don't know at all. I only kept the car a couple of years, trading it on a Mazda RX7 in 1981. I'm not the one that said the WS6 was indicated under the RTS plaque, it was Bill that said that at 15:27 time stamp on the video. The easiest way to make the determination is to look for the 4 wheel disc brakes.

[@harpermotorsports16]

Pontiac velour interior was awesome

[@FreshTillDeath56]

Thanks for the amazing showcase. I WILL get my hands on a gen 2 Trans Am someday... gotta finish college first! :P

[@Mattpig]

You and me both

[@stevemd007]

i had a couple of these back in the day . i a black one with no bird on the hood . just beautiful

[@jaydaug2008]

New listener and viewer..Dude you are good at this! New 1996 Formula owner here and you have a cool cut to your jib lol

[@floridaproductions]

Mine, was the 1971 HO, Trans. BTW didn't top glass panels have leak issues.I forgot to say it was the 455/HO.

[@johnchalleen3278]

The SD was cooler

[@drippinglass]

John Challeen The ‘71 455 H.O. had the Ram Air IV heads and cam. It moved alright.

[@624radicalham]

One of the best test drives on KZbin. That means never change that camera angle and make those drives longer brother!

[@terryjackson9988]

Miami SWL Radio ))l

[@jacklausch3517]

Love how you bring the history and the weaponry

[@fboness368]

These reviews are funnier than a lot of stand-up comedy!

[@kurtkaufman8508]

“It’s a good riding platform, unless you’re going over bumps of any kind. Then, it will jar your spine loose.” LOL. Best car reviews on YouTubhe! Thank you!

[@Tech-ez1qj]

I had the same car. Driving around with a case of beer blasting Guns and Roses with my buddies. I woke up one morning with a hole in the block. I still don't remember that night.

[@BobHunter1977]

Bill you are a national treasure!!!!!!

[@thomas_2285]

Love your videos Bill. If I may make one suggestion..(and you may be doing this already in newer videos).. Maybe after the review or before the review you can take some walkaround footage of the car that you can edit into the part of the video where you're talking about the history of the cars and other important ramblings. This is just so we can be looking at more than one angle of the car while we listen.

[@alouiciousjackson5812]

I had a '79 Z28- it was a 49 state car with very little smog equipment on it. It was a very cool car and I loved it- but it broke down constantly!

[@Vivaldi111]

I've never heard Bill so genuinely enjoying himself while driving a car.

[@label1877]

Any Car Dealer knows damn well there’s no telling what the mileage is with a pre-1981, five digit odometer, pre-digital service records automobile.

[@label1877]

IT'SME They can’t turn back Carfax records, or dealer service records.

[@toxictophat711]

I'm gonna roll my odometer back on my 64 Cadillac Fleetwood 75 it's a roller and I'm replacing everything but the frame as far as I can tell rn no drivetrain ect so once I get it resto modded I'm rolling the odometer to 0 just because its mine I'm never selling and its rolled over idk how many times so when I put in a drivetrain from a Escalade I'm gonna have all new everything except car lol and just gonna put mileage as exempt as they do with cars this old

[@steves4639]

@William Schwartz Carfax is only for '81 or newer....requires the 17 character vin

[@robhicks2117]

And that's why the condition of the car can be the telltale sign on whether or not the odometer reading is accurate.

[@frigglebiscuit7484]

look at the pedals and overall shape of the interior.

[@RichardRena]

I'm definitely coming over to take it for a drive Bill.

[@fboness368]

One of the best comics on KZbin right here!

[@bobjohnson205]

Yes, Bill should take his act on the road. Oh wait, he has! lol

[@frigglebiscuit7484]

actually, in 1979, they ran out of ws6 rear disc brakes, so they offered the ws7, which was last years ws6. it was just the same package with a drum brake rear. still had all the ws handling package.

[@edmond97106]

Hi I used to have the 79 trans am 403 engine automatic and I used to have 81 automatic 301 back in the 80s man I had the fun with this cars so much fun

[@Agwings1960]

I had a new 79 T/A back in the day, 6.6 liter version, burned two sets of rear tires off of it in less than 5000 miles and it never spent one minute in the shop for unscheduled maintenance

[@tomreed9606]

It's a pretty car. Always liked them. By '79 the emissions standards were choking the performance cars, and from the factory they were kind of a dog. But I'd still drive one today. Lemme grab my hi-tops and Jean shorts, throw in my Billy Squire cassette, and head on down the arcade. See ya there.

[@fitfogey]

It was awesome to hear you laugh at 21:30. When we get to be our age we live for fleeting times like those.

[@ianbartlett9266]

I had the 74, Firebird Esprit back in the day over in the UK it had a 5.7 litre 350 race tuned 4 speed manual.in a straight line it would out drag the 2.8 Toyota supra back in the day but around corners in the wet..forget it!.the noise from those cherry bombs was thunderous,Owned for 8 years and absolutely loved it.

[@RomVlad]

I loved Ponch's gold TA, glad to see you acknowledging that lol!

[@sombra6153]

I never had one, but a drove a couple back in the day - none were the 400s. I’m a Ford guy, but always liked the F-body style and the way they drove and handled. I especially appreciated the Trans Am - maybe a “Smokey and the Bandit” thing. I rode tested an 81 with a 305 Chevy back in 82 or so. Automatic. I thought it would have a lesser 301/4V, but apparently the 305s were more available. Again, it handled great, or at least better than everything else I’d ever driven to date, and probably had all the power an 18-19 year old college student really needed... Didn’t get to buy it. I remember a Hot Rod Magazine article from 79 featuring the TA and how the Pontiac 400/4 speed they tested ran a quicker quarter than the flagship Corvette - low 14s. Seems that the 403 versions were more like 16.5s average. I also recall the article stated that Pontiac had holed away something like 10K 400s for the anniversary version of the TA, while the rest got the remaining 400s and 403 Olds. Nice video.

[@rayburton4867]

Was always a trans Am man....

[@archeodigger]

Pontiac installed the Oldsmobile 403 engine in their Trans Am's because they had a serious problem getting the Pontiac 400 engine to pass the more stringent California emission standards. Hench, as one of the plants was in California, all of the T/A's out of that plant were 403's. If your lucky to find one from the plant back in Michigan, which were produced in much smaller numbers, it's more than likely to have the coveted 400 Poncho motor.

GOD DAMN! MAN YOU ARE SO GOD DAMN KNOWLEDGEABLE ! APPRECIATE THE WORK YOU DO SO THANK U.

[@chuckwhitson654]

As A paint and body guy I can say that I can tell you by the firewall and the look around the rear window trim, it's an original maroon car, they didn't paint firewall maroon, or the overspray. Nice fairly older restoration but probably 120000 mi car, whoever redone it did a good job, but it's not truth in advertising and furthermore don't appreciate your taking God's name in vain

[@ct87gn25]

100% agree. No doubt a repaint. And in looking at the engine compartment, the engine is showing WAY MORE then 27k miles. Owned quite a few 79's and can tell you that the worn driver side seat does NOT look like a 27k car either. But hey, I'm pretty sure they sold it and probably got a pretty good amount for it too.........

[@Huskerfan69]

So many have no clue... Not you, btw.

[@yesh3]

Unlike you, God will probably be forgiving and get over it.

[@ct87gn25]

@@yesh3 I believe God is forgiving also, doesn't mean people can't point out obvious 'issues' with this car/sale. Have a great weekend.............

[@richardbutler1865]

Relax Chuckie God's busy trying to kill everybody off with the corona virus, probably doesn't have the time for KZbin.

[@brianhudgins990]

I've had three '79 Formulas. And I'd dearly love to have a fourth. Fun, pretty cars.

[@624radicalham]

21:33 The only guy who's laugh sounds like tires skidding lol .... same on the Plymouth Prowler video

[@demostheodorakakis6328]

Best year in the TA history. My cousin owned one. Grant Brown Buick Cadillac Toronto, ON

[@NH-gb5dk]

That video brought back a lot of memories ! I had a 80 firebird i bought in Las Vegas in 85 ...One of the best cars i have ever owned . It looked just like your 79 with the exception of the chicken and the shaker hood . In 80 they had Yellowbird , Redbird , Bluebird and severla others . I had the Yellowbird ...Same interior except it was light brown . 305 ci engine .

[@gammaechofoundationproductions]

Hey Bill, thanks for this! This video is very educational, informative, and entertaining! That car is a true classic, it must have been a blast to drive! I look forward to seeing more of your videos! You just earned a new subscriber! :)

[@goopah]

Nothing wrong with the Olds 403. I had a gold 79 T/A with the 403 (no T-tops on that one), and it was ultra-reliable, got decent mileage, had plenty of power, and loads of torque. Yeah, the Pontiac 400 would have been better (I had one of those too, a 77 Bandit with the Hurst T-tops), but I loved my 79 anyway. I had 4 second gen Trans Ams in the 1980's, and the 79 was the only one I kept long enough to pay it off. If you took care of them, they'd take care of you. Finding a nice original is getting difficult now, and when I do, I can't afford them. :(

[@karatekid6026]

Most people that have had both the olds 403 actually ran better.

[@FREDOGISFUUN]

I have a 77, people used and abused them back in the day. Lots of fun to see the thumbs up. Mustangs and Challengers are intimidated but you know, keep them guessing lol

[@KevRalph]

My first car was a 1974 Trans Am purchased in New York in 1988. It was full of rust.. an 84 year ran a stop sign and totaled it. I miss that car

[@oceanside8401]

That 944 looks good in distance. Nice TA!

[@kevinulloa6540]

Beautiful car. My dad has had one sitting for a couple years and he just recently started restoring it and someone stole it yesterday while it was at the shop getting some work done. My brother made a police report and went out looking for it and found the guy joyriding it near the shop. The guy ended up getting arrested but we wanted to get there before the cops to kick his ass lol

[@MrDjh66]

Engine turned dash like the spirit of St. Louis plane

[@chuckgannon5633]

I have had 3 . A blue on blue 77. A dark blue with light blue interior 79 esrite and a 80 turbo black on black with red fire chicken

[@jdmguy44]

What a great car this is. Looks and sounds brilliant. Would certainly turn a few heads driving one of these here in Scotland!