Low Miles

1986 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am

"The 1982–92 Pontiac Trans Am is still the epitome of '80s cool” – Hagerty, May 2019

The Hagerty writers continued: “The 1982 update to the Trans Am was a drastic one. Pontiac managed to shed a full 400 pounds from the outgoing 1981 as well as chop 11 inches in overall length. Pontiac traded the anemic 301 Poncho V-8 for the similarly poor performing 305 Chevy with optional, yawn-inducing Cross-Fire injection. Where the Trans Am really started to gain its stride back was with the introduction of Tuned Port Injection. With the new multi-port EFI system, Pontiac was finally able to crest the 200 horsepower mark in 1985. Yes, the dark days of emissions-restricted power were beginning to fade.”

Offered here is a 1986 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am in red-and-silver over gray. You can tell when a car's been loved. This Trans Am has been driven just 21,153 miles, an almost incredibly low, roughly 600 miles per-year since new. Its condition, inside and out, is a direct result of owner commitment and reserved use.

Overall, the car's exterior red body paint retains excellent gloss (paint on the sport side mirrors shows some minor deterioration). The use of silver (with a fade-out stripe showing minor chips in front) surrounding the entire lower-body of the car emphasizes the horizontal dimension of the car's design. There are no dings, no dents, no other damage anywhere on the sheet metal. The black rear spoiler is complete (but shows some surface sun-damage). Lightly tinted cabin glass (and lighting lenses, including in the pop-up headlights) are clear and uncracked. The large rear-glass hatch is clear, but the gas struts need to be replaced. Firebird and Trans Am identification on the car's hood, front bumper, front fenders, b-pillar, and rear bumper is all complete, correctly applied, and in excellent condition. The smoked rear taillight bar is undamaged. Original, angled-5-spoke alloy wheels are mounted with raised-white-letter Cooper Cobra® Radial GT tires.

Inside, the vertically pleated velour upholstery, in two shades of gray, has been well maintained and is free of damage or significant signs of wear. Matching door trim in a square design theme is similarly well-kept. The combination of high-back front bucket seats and foldable rear seats makes for flexible configuration for cargo. Cabin carpeting is dark gray (including in the cargo area) protected by carpet mats up front. A black, Firebird-icon-embossed steering wheel frames the black dashboard's four large, analog instruments including speedometer, tachometer, and two engine-monitoring gauges. Instrument lenses are clear and graphic markings are crisp. HVAC controls are located in the lower-center dash, with the factory audio unit below. The center console houses the angled t-shifter for the automatic transmission, and power-window controls with storage under the center armrest. All switchgear control surfaces in the cabin retain their like-new condition.

Under the hood, the 5-liter V8 commands a properly organized, nicely clean, stock engine bay. There have been no performance “mods” added, no factory-mounted components deleted. Hoses and wiring are properly routed and undamaged. Viewed from below, the car's chassis is complete and undamaged. Minor surface rust shows on some untreated metal, but there is no indication of body rust.

The car's build data-tag and VIN stamping remain as mounted at the factory.

While the more than 145 high-definition photographs and the short walk-around-and-startup video available on the GarageKeptMotors website showcase this '86 Trans Am in detail from every angle, including from below, we expect and encourage in-person inspections at our Grand Rapids, Michigan showroom. Please call to arrange an appointment in advance as our showroom is not open to the public. And feel free to get in touch anytime by phone or email if you have questions.

Everything “Eighties” is hot again these days. And what better icon of that decade is there than a period Firebird Trans Am in red? With your Journey or AC/DC music playing loud, is there a better ride for an afternoon drive or nighttime romantic touring? We don't think so.