Autoblog and Yahoo may earn commission from links in this article.The 1979 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am Special Edition is pure late-'70s muscle car royalty, mostly because of that iconic black-and-gold look. This one's a real-deal Y84 Special Edition, decked out in Starlight Black with Camel Tan inside. It's been with the same owner since the '90s and is now up for grabs on Bring a Trailer. With 54,000 miles and a stack of recent maintenance, it's got the right mix of pedigree and preservation.1979 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am Special EditionBring a TrailerWhat It's Worth Right NowOriginal 1979 Trans Am Special Editions, especially the Y84s, are still hot property. According to Classic.com, these cars from 1976 to 1981 are averaging around $73,500, with a market benchmark just over $68,000. The wildest sale hit $265,000, while the latest one went for $26,500. So, prices are all over the map.AdvertisementAdvertisementIf you check out what's on the market, prices are all over the place. High-mileage originals start just under $50,000, but if you want a time-capsule or something rare, you could be looking at close to $180,000. Most 1979s seem to land somewhere between $89,000 and $126,000.1979 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am Special EditionBring a TrailerThis auction car sits right in the middle of the pack. With 54,000 miles, a paper trail going back to 1996, and Pontiac Historical Services docs to prove it's the real deal, it ticks a lot of boxes. At the time of writing, bidding was at $8,779 with days to go—which is pretty normal for Bring a Trailer before the last-minute frenzy.Condition and DetailsDraped in Starlight Black with gold stripes and that unmistakable hood bird, this Trans Am is every bit the Y84 legend. It's got the shaker hood, spoilers front and back, painted mirror caps, and those gold 15-inch snowflake wheels on BFGoodrich Radials. According to the seller, it's been living indoors and hasn't seen a winter road since the '80s.1979 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am Special EditionBring a TrailerInside, you're greeted by Camel Tan cloth everywhere—seats, doors, the works. The dash is engine-turned, the center console runs the length of the cabin, and all the gauges are pure late-'70s. It's had some recent TLC too: new insulation, headliner, package tray, trunk divider, lighter, shifter, mats, and sill plates. Cruise control is out, but all the original bits come with the car.1979 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am Special EditionBring a TrailerUnder the hood, you get the Oldsmobile 403 V8, hooked up to a three-speed auto and a Safe-T-Track limited-slip diff. It's not totally stock—there's an Edelbrock intake, Holley four-barrel carb, long-tube headers, and dual exhaust. The original carb and manifolds come with it if you want to go back to factory spec. The carb was rebuilt in 2026, and the fuel tank got swapped out in the late '90s.1979 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am Special EditionBring a TrailerAdvertisementAdvertisementThe OfferSpecificationDetailMakePontiacModelFirebird Trans Am Special Edition (Y84)Year1979Mileage54,000 milesEngine403ci V8TransmissionThree-speed automaticDrive TypeRear-wheel drive with Safe-T-Track limited-slip differentialExterior ColorStarlight BlackInterior ColorCamel Tan clothInterested in this Pontiac Firebird Trans Am Special Edition? View the listing here.What Makes the Pontiac Firebird Trans Am Special Edition UniqueThe Y84 Special Edition is the poster child of second-gen Firebirds. Pontiac went all-in with Starlight Black paint, gold pinstripes, the famous hood bird, gold snowflake wheels, and a bunch of unique trim. That black-and-gold combo is pure late-'70s, and it's a big reason these Special Edition Trans Ams are so sought after by collectors today.1979 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am Special EditionBring a TrailerThis car's a bit of an oddball too – it came without air conditioning and stayed pretty bare-bones, even with the Special Edition package. You get all the paperwork: Pontiac Historical Services docs, window sticker, owner's manual, spare parts, and the original bits that were swapped out. Add in 30 years with the same owner, and you've got the kind of history muscle car fans love.Final ThoughtsIt's not a museum piece, but it hasn't been hacked up either. Most of the upgrades are period-correct and easy to undo if you want it stock. The mileage, long-term ownership, paperwork, and that classic Special Edition look all work in its favor.AdvertisementAdvertisementThe auction's just getting started, so the current bid doesn't tell us much yet. But if recent sales are anything to go by, documented Y84 Special Editions like this one still pull plenty of attention—especially when they look the part and come with all the right paperwork.Disclaimer: This post is for informational purposes only. We are not a dealership or broker. All vehicle specifications, pricing, and availability are subject to change without notice. We are not responsible for typographical errors, omissions, or the accuracy of the provided information. Please verify all details directly with the seller.This story was originally published by Autoblog on Sep 7, 2026, where it first appeared in the Car Buying section. Add Autoblog as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
