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
The bird on the hood is awesome, The car wouldn’t be the same without it
"Screaming chicken"!
Its literally a fire-bird, like
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.
@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
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.
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 .
@Lance Wells Beware, for it bears the mark of the super chicken!
@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!
@@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.
@@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! 😊
@@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.
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.
Its a pheonix not an eagle.
@@nunyabizness9955 True, Firebird is another name for a Phoenix so that makes sense. Back in the 80's we called it the "Screaming Chicken" ;)
@@martinharris5017 Yup, the screaming chicken. A bit tacky then, but nostalgic now.
Don't need customizing, just modernizing so they don't get rocked by a Honda Accord
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.
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.
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.
Indeed it was, I really miss that view and that feeling!
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
I liked this before I even started watching the video. RIP, Burt.
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.
@@amandahuginkiss4098 I didn't know that. Interesting.
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.
Thanks!
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. 😎
4 speed???
Cool!
Blessings ya all
I love that you are still together!
When I was a little kid THIS was the car I wanted more than any other. Pontiac meant excitement!
T top, bird on hood, square quad headlights.👍My freshman year of HS.
Ken loved that car too. Black man what a car! Pontiac 👍 why did GM get rid Pontiac anyway? Kept buick
🎵East bound and down, loaded up and truckin'...🎵
kzhead.info/sun/nNGCmJWbrWqYeYk/bejne.html
@@KS-xo3oh we got a long way to go...
We got a long way to go and a short time to get there
"He done good, didn't he Fred?!"
@@xavierbatista6201 I'm east bound, just watch 'ole Bandit run.
At disco times, any guy who had a Trans-Am never left a club alone..
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! 😬😂
P.S. Hated disco!
@@deelaine1769 based boomummy
@@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. 👓
@@BuzzLOLOL 😂😉👏🏼👏🏼🍃💗🍃
When I was a kid this was hands down my favorite car......and I think it still is...it's absolutely beautiful
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!
Finally Pontiac’s on Jay Leno’s Garage 👍 yes!!!
would be a good opportunity to feature the last Fiero built, which just sold for 90 grand.
@@Knox089 one of my fav cars ever I’d love to see it
I had a 2M4. With all new struts, wheels & tires, tuneup, and radiator; a great little car. Then... reconfigured by a drunk. :(
No more Burt, Jerry, or Pontiac and I was 13 in 1979. This makes me feel nostalgic and old.
Cue jokes about 'spring chickens'
Sht you ain’t the only one! Viking6. Hell I was 19 when that bird came out.
I was 17 when it came out. Smokey & Bandit is still one of my favorite movies
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. 👍
8,200 in 1979 is 29,844 in 2020
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.
That’s a lie.
@@blackericdenice Reported by multiple sources.
@@bongodave13 That does not mean it's true.
@@blackericdenice Proof?
@@bongodave13 Show me proof it had 260 hp.
That's a good looking car.
Eye candy.
It's just not as good looking as my 86 Trans Am.
No one cares about ur trans am
Really? Check out the '78 Trans Am
@@poolboyinla everyone owning a post 1981 trans am wish they had a 1979 trans am. Stop lying to yourself
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.
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.
The place I see where CB RADIO is used is at an asphalt plant. ( a form of traffic control?)
Saw a formula firebird in denmark(a beauty.)
@@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.
The “Fire Bird” on the hood is what gives the car its character! Without it well it’s just another Pontiac.
I don’t get why some people don’t like the bird car looks naked without it
Phoenix
@@jeromewlaker7464 ,Chicken.
@@banjopete Hood Pheonix aka FireChicken.
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.
Kudos to Jay for mentioning Jerry Reed. If you're unfamiliar with his work, search KZhead and play anything he did. That guy was amazing!
Hell of a college coach
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.
You can definitely tell he enjoyed driving this car. I don't think I've ever heard him compliment a car so much!
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.
:)
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.
It's a 4 door P1
It's the surprise factor. The lower your exceptions the greater the surprise!
The redline is actually 5000 rpm on the Pontiac L/78 W72 (TA 6.6) motor. The orange area begins at 4500 .
@ oohh somebody's jealous
Yes the orange just tells you to be ready to grab another gear
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
So it's not virtually 5000 rpm? Or theoretically 5000 rpm? You absolutely sure?
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.
Rocky Balboa had one too.
I had an '81 Turbo T/A and man, this one takes me back. I love these Trans Ams.
Memory lane. I don't recall Jay mentioning how much he liked a car as often as in this video. Thanks Jay.
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.
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.
I had one of these with an automatic and an Oldsmobile 403 ci. HP WAS Closer to 320.
The Decal on the hood is what makes it ICONIC ...... Im surprised Jay Doesn't like it.
very true i love it .
True! That’s the spirit of the era.
Thats what I was thinking too.
Jay's taste is different than the average man. Jay has $400 million in the bank.... that will change a person
@@jeffrogerswolff that’s true
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.
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
Larry The Cable Guy says in his hometown if you own a Trans Am with T Tops you're considered to be royalty,,,
And if the T Tops weatherstrip doesn't leak when it rains you are a god.
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.kzhead.info/sun/rZp8iNJ-oJephXk/bejne.html
then call me lawrence of arabia
LOL
@@joeday4293 Thanks for the link; it was great. Vic reminds me of the late Jay Hickman's humor,,
Good to see Jay validating the late 70s Trans Am.
It only took 41 years.
@@rightlanehog3151 didn’t know Jay had his car show for 41 years. Guess you gotta complain about something
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.
I was 12 when the '79 T/A was new & instantly fell in love😎 Beautiful car & love the silver & grey bird!
This car still looks really cool after all these years. Exceptional styling.
One of the few cars of the late 70's to really look great.
They really are decent driving cars, they do handle surprisingly well. I was in my 1st police chase in one.
@@drobson8004 That sounds like a story right there... you weren't running block for some illegal Coors beer were you? :P
@@drg5352 Nothing that cool bro'.
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.
Nice to see the denim making a comeback
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.
@@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
Too bad that his supposed funniness never even made an appearance.
@David Ruff It never appeared.
@David Ruff I'm talking about Leno's supposed funniness.
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.
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.🐔
The “cool, non-airbag steering wheel” 😂 love it
Greatest American steering wheel ever? Greatest American steering wheel ever.
Don't they look better?
LOL
Jay likes the old shitcans with no safety equipment,shifting gears with his head out the open window.
@K M Even with the seat belt?
The Rockford Files also gave the Firebird a lot of exposure.
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.
Loved those J turns! I do those with my Lawn Tractor 😂
@@macgto ....I remember an episode of Rockford in which he’s telling a valet to get his “Tan Firebird”.
@@mercoid I'm sure in a generic sense, Sierra Gold could be considered "tan"
And the Rockford J turn.
I got to buy my ‘79 T/A from a Norwood Foreman here in the Cincinnati area. The engine was the 403 Olds and it must have fallen together perfectly as it seemed to beat all the other T/A’s in the area I grew up in. Even my brothers which was lots of fun. It was Silver, red interior, T-Tops. Our late friend Ron Aber did pin striping and he added red stripes to every feather on the bird on the hood Same color as the one on your black one. I just told everyone it was a special order. One of my favorite cars I have ever owned
These cars need no explanation! Love to see them getting driven as they should!
Jay discovers something that we have known for 40 years. Trans Ams are very loved. Welcome to the party late Jay.
The first car I remember realistically wanting was a black 1989 GTA.
@@meierb75 such a badass car
That design still looks great even today!👍💪
It really does
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.
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.
Mine came through black and gold with a hard top. 1-owner 1979 car. Not much is stock in it though.
The Screaming Chicken is the best part of owning a Firebird !
🤘
LOLOL
If I had one I would install a rooster crow horn
Phoenix is a lot cooler than a chicken
@Natural Creature no it’s a chicken
You can tell Leno was having fun, driving that Trans Am!!
It's the manual transmission. He was really liking that.
@@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
@@edwardgiugliano4925 Agreed!!
@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.
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 ?
The '70-'73 Firebird/Trans Am had the best looking front end.
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
Jay looks cool driving in the Trans Am.
Jay looks cool driving anything. He is just plain cool.
"No modifications nothing, just like the way it drove in 79". I love that too Jay. Amazing car
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......................??????????????????????????????
Had a ‘79 Trans Am in California and loved it. Then moved back to MA and had kids and that was that.
I was 10 years old. This was all I wanted in life.
I was 18 and that is all I ever wanted
I was five. See profile pic.
@Eugene Boucher never did
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.
Our family had a 1978, the last year of the "good" front end (IMHO) thanks, Jay, for the memories....
Very much agreed, I don't like the 4 bucket rubbernose at all. '77 & '78 were slick looking.
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.
79-81 was the sexiest Trans Am's ever,with 77-78 2nd & 72 era 3rd.
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....
@@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
The best, most fun, the handling and that surge of power! I still miss that 79’ Trans Am all these years later. Thank you Jay for the memories I thought of watching this. (I knew you would love it!)
Beautiful. One of my favourite cars of all time. Nothing beats that stock paint job and guaranteed to be badass.
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.
I know some people who were totally not cool but drove the car because they needed the appearance
Bandit was a 76 model with a 77 nose cone the firebird and wheels and decals gold. Cool cars
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.
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.
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.
If I remember correctly, the 1979 TA was GM's fastest car in their stable that year, even beating the Corvette.
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
A friend of mine said he doesn't like these cars. I think he's just trans phobic.
You need to stop. LOL!
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.
Black T/A’s Matter!
I think I'm going to start calling Tans Am haters Transphobes from now on. Thanks for making my weekend Lol
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.
When I push my car to 160kmh/100mph I want it to say with Leno's voice. "ONE HUNDRED MILES AN HOUR!"
While in college I worked as a substitute on the assembly line in Norwood, Ohio when this car was built. So I’d work different jobs any given night. Best was when I was assigned to drive Camaros and Firebirds off the line to the holding lot.
I had one new in 1979. I want this one! I also want to be 40 years younger, but...
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.
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.
Now Jay needs to get ahold of a 1973 SD-455 and see how loud a chicken can REALLY scream.
Correct. Then he will figure out Pontiac did build higher horsepower engines than chevy
OMG. My dream car! 73 with the 455 Super Duty!!
Good post. I mistakenly thought it was '73 and '74. John Kraman (being a 'Pontiac Guy') loves to talk about how impressive that engine is and how the Pontiac engineers refused to fold in the new emissions/unleaded fuel era.
@@NVRAMboi The SD was available in '73 and '74. I only said 1973 because it's a better looking car, LOL. It's actually kind of amazing (and a bit insulting) how even nowadays with million-dollar muscle cars crossing the auction block, the Pontiac SD-455 *still* doesn't get its due. Not only is it a truly beastly engine - it fully deserves to be mentioned in the same breath as the 426 Hemi, 428 Cobra Jet, L88 427, etc. - it came out in 1973, by which time Detroit, the feds, and the insurance companies conspired to kill all horsepower. Not only is it a legendary and fantastic power plant, it is absolutely a miracle that they actually got it into showrooms during that time, even in such small numbers - less than 1500 units over two model years. Factory rated at "290 horsepower" (coughcoughahemsnickerHAHAHAHA)
@@quincee3376 One please, Brewster green with saddle interior, and make it snappy. 👏
I had a 1980 trans am with the 301, and I absolutely loved it and wish I still had it today
It’s funny to watch Jay. The man owns hundreds of cars and he gets in a 79 Pontiac and he lights up like a 15-year-old it’s hilarious and I love it.
The dream car of every Italian kid I knew growing up in New Jersey!
Until the IROC and Montecarlo SS took hold in the 80’s
One of the ultimate Guido cars... When your family owns the local pizza joint
As opposed to the dream of every Italian Kid growing up in Italy who were dreaming about Ferraris.
And also a dream car for some Italian kids back then in Italy
In Toronto greeks had the Trans Ams and the Italians had the camaros.
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
It still needed decent pistons and a cam...
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.
@BuzzLOLOL The weak link was the connecting rods particularly the bolts. If you wanted to rev to 6K often better upgrade.
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.
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.
Now you just need a young Sally Field hopping around inside the car. ;)
Sally still looks pretty good now.
Or driving said car.
Sally looked really good when she was bending over and reaching into the back seat!
Frog
What's she wearin' now?
I am amazed it took Jay this long to drive a Trans Am.
ya, I second that
LOL
The bird scared him!
That car and car like it is extremely rare to get today
He had a 2002 WS6, dark blue or black
I watched two double unskibbable ads for this And it's worth it
Given his exposure to a gauntlet of cars, Jay could be jaded by now. That's why it sure is interesting how many times Jay spontaneously says how much he likes this car.
Guys we just seen a man fall in love with a vehicle, give it six months he’s gonna buy one , I could tell by the look in his eyes
6 months? Odds are, he bought one as soon as they wrapped! He certainly can afford it....
@@blairbrown4812 He probably bought that one lol
He's not the first.
@@malcolmtudor8039 he definitely won’t be the last either lol
Didn't he say he's already restoring one?
This has always been one of the best looking muscle cars to ever come out of America!
Quite a looker
Yep!
Oh yeah.
i agree.!!!!!!!!
@@Qbnsizzle no class
During the end of 70s...Trans-Am and Corvette were the dream of young people..
My dream car never realized. Beautiful, thanks for showing us.
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.
That was my car in high school
“what the hell is the world coming to?!” Sheriff B.T. Justice
@Jimmy Lundberg, 10-4!!!
Most profound question.
There is Noo way Nooooo way you came from my loins
Give me a Diablo Sandwich, a Dr. Pepper, and make it fast I’m in a goddamn hurry!
10-4
The Flaming Chicken makes the car what it is. It is iconic just as much as the car is. A beautiful automobile.
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. 😁
Brings me back to the 80’s. 👍🏼 Burt Reynolds was my favorite.
kzhead.info/sun/nNGCmJWbrWqYeYk/bejne.html
Loni ripped Burts heart and soul right out of him
Nice Piper cub in your avatar sir! My pops had a J3 for almost 20 years!
Hee Haw too?
Only if I can bring the money I’ve made.
That car is just a beautiful. Reminds me of the 70's
Yes it does
That's why that gen of Trans Ams are sometimes referred to as "disco mobiles"
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
I've had my baby for almost 35 years and it rocks!! 🤘
This was my second car. But white with a red bird, red interior and smoked tops. I miss that car.
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
If only we took care of great cars like this when we had them....
The trans am is and will always be my favorite car of all time!
I still have my '87 Trans Am GTA in black... i.pinimg.com/originals/0a/6e/92/0a6e925d76ea7b8a50b40ef04eb7a4b5.jpg
No it isn't.
@@User0000000000000004 Get back in your DeLorean, Marty 🤣
Jay is that old guy whom is cool to listen... so many stories
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.
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.
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.
I like how Jay actually knows cars. Thanks for another great video
The TA/6.6 Pontiac engine was in limited supply in 1979. Most Trans Am got the Olds 403.
Still have my 80' Black 3tone Red Stripes Z28 w Ttops numbers matching LM1.. from High School Grad 88'... Still drive it today.
"Lose the chicken"???? That's crazy talk!!! LOL
Why do some people call it a chicken?It looks nothing like a chicken.
@@redgreen6436 I don't know, it is supposed to be a "Fire Bird" I guess...
Yes. The bird is part of the appeal.
Fire”Chicken” is what I always heard them called way back in the day!
Crazy Shaker hood?
"It's been babyed It's whole life" , except when Jay drove it 😁
I love these things. Reminds me of my childhood and my cousin's. He had a yellow with Keystone Classics and white vinyl interior.