ANYTHING is better than today, obviously, but don't forget that while it was a fun time to be in one's early teens back then, America overall was doing a LOT of losing back in 1979 too. 😵
Are you kidding? They only made 350 of those? I know 1979 was the most successful year for the Trans Am. I think they sold over 100,000 of those are you sure about that?
@@miltcoronado3392 No such thing as a red leather interior in 1979. The only 1979 Firebird with a leather interior was the 10th Anniversary Trans Am (I have one, a 400/4 speed, one of 1,817). Your grandfather's car has a vinyl interior. Unless it's a 400/4 speed, it's not really worth much, but indeed it is a nice car.
@@miltcoronado3392 There is both a 403 Oldsmobile V8 (with an automatic transmission) or a Pontiac 400 V8 (with a manual transmission) in 1979. If his has the automatic, it's the 403. That's worth a lot less than the 400 Pontiac V8 equipped one. Again, a nice car, but the 403 is a dog compared to the 400.
Pops has one sitting in the yard semi rusted on the bottom but still good paint job always kept it covered and under shade. Turn it on every once in a while so the engine and tranny don't stick. A kid and his mom were passing by and I could hear him say there was a lion in our yard. Lol
Adjusted for inflation about the same price. 30k Dollars ish. That’s in ok condition mind you. I bought mine for 25 and gotta do bits and bobs of repairs.
Wow that was cool. Both the Formula and Trans Am look nice here. Last year you could still get the 400 cid. Also the best selling year ever. Sadly most of the Trans Ams were Olds 403 powered.
@@chrisk920 only avail with an auto, windowed block can't be built much, low performance. The Pontiac 400s were just better but not avail in CA. Thankful they made the 403 though, as it least it provided something for the masses
@@chrisk920Lmao, "better"?? 😵 It was ALMOST TWO FULL SECONDS and OVER TEN MPH SLOWER in the quarter with the Olds 403/TH350/2.41 than with the Pontiac 400/4spd/3 23. Torque numbers (rated) about equal around 325 but the Olds put out a dismal ~185hp while the hilariously -underrated-at-220 Pontiac 400 put out appx 270hp in reality.
@@serfcityherewecome8069 Very true. Hey, the OP in this thread is wrong, right? They said it was the "last year" you could still get the 400 and I believe they are referring to this 1981 commercial. 301 only, if I'm not mistaken.
@@markcheetah4960 Correct. The 1979s were the last year you could get a 400 (4spd only). In 1980 & '81 the only "Pontiac" offerings were the 301 turbo & n/a, and after 1979, auto only..
Bought one new in 79....white with lower gun metal paint....buckskin interior.
Please take me back to 1979 ! 🙏🇺🇸
ANYTHING is better than today, obviously, but don't forget that while it was a fun time to be in one's early teens back then, America overall was doing a LOT of losing back in 1979 too. 😵
I remember this ad, thanks for posting!
If you got the Formula with the 400 in 1979, you’re sitting on one of 346 ever made.
Are you kidding? They only made 350 of those? I know 1979 was the most successful year for the Trans Am. I think they sold over 100,000 of those are you sure about that?
@@chrisk920 Yes, they made that few 400/4 speed Formulas in 1979. They are ultra rare.
@@miltcoronado3392 No such thing as a red leather interior in 1979. The only 1979 Firebird with a leather interior was the 10th Anniversary Trans Am (I have one, a 400/4 speed, one of 1,817). Your grandfather's car has a vinyl interior. Unless it's a 400/4 speed, it's not really worth much, but indeed it is a nice car.
@@miltcoronado3392 There is both a 403 Oldsmobile V8 (with an automatic transmission) or a Pontiac 400 V8 (with a manual transmission) in 1979. If his has the automatic, it's the 403. That's worth a lot less than the 400 Pontiac V8 equipped one. Again, a nice car, but the 403 is a dog compared to the 400.
Pops has one sitting in the yard semi rusted on the bottom but still good paint job always kept it covered and under shade.
Turn it on every once in a while so the engine and tranny don't stick. A kid and his mom were passing by and I could hear him say there was a lion in our yard. Lol
What can I say? The ultimate car if you ask me!
This commercial is classic, I love Trans-Ams.
When you think of the 1970's I think the thing that comes into most peoples minds is disco and Trans Ams. I'll always love Formulas/Trans Ams
Cool!
Only $8,000 brand new in 1979.
And now??
Way more than that
Adjusted for inflation about the same price. 30k Dollars ish. That’s in ok condition mind you. I bought mine for 25 and gotta do bits and bobs of repairs.
30k? Yeah for one that needs 30k worth of work to make it showroom.
Wow that was cool. Both the Formula and Trans Am look nice here. Last year you could still get the 400 cid. Also the best selling year ever. Sadly most of the Trans Ams were Olds 403 powered.
What was wrong with the old 403? It wasn’t much better than the 400.
@@chrisk920 only avail with an auto, windowed block can't be built much, low performance. The Pontiac 400s were just better but not avail in CA. Thankful they made the 403 though, as it least it provided something for the masses
@@chrisk920Lmao, "better"?? 😵 It was ALMOST TWO FULL SECONDS and OVER TEN MPH SLOWER in the quarter with the Olds 403/TH350/2.41 than with the Pontiac 400/4spd/3 23. Torque numbers (rated) about equal around 325 but the Olds put out a dismal ~185hp while the hilariously -underrated-at-220 Pontiac 400 put out appx 270hp in reality.
@@serfcityherewecome8069 Very true. Hey, the OP in this thread is wrong, right? They said it was the "last year" you could still get the 400 and I believe they are referring to this 1981 commercial. 301 only, if I'm not mistaken.
@@markcheetah4960 Correct. The 1979s were the last year you could get a 400 (4spd only). In 1980 & '81 the only "Pontiac" offerings were the 301 turbo & n/a, and after 1979, auto only..
I actually like the formulas more than trans ams
Same! I have a 79 Camaro Sport Coupe.
I had two , ( trans ams) 1979. ‘S