Frame Off Restored Trans Am 400 Ram Air III 4 Speed

Because their production was so low to begin with, early second generation Trans Ams are becoming increasingly hard to purchase. And when you throw in the fact that, for years, first generation cars got all the glory in the eyes of restorers, it just complicates the search even more. Take a stroll through a bit of online inventory and generally you'll find either white glove show queens that command high dollar prices or rusted out basket cases that need high dollar restorations. Well Pontiac fans, today is your lucky day! RK Motors Charlotte is happy to feature this killer 1970 Ram Air III which combines a striking blue on blue color combination with a correct 400 cubic inch V8 and a correct Muncie 4-speed transmission. Not only does this stunning Poncho have the power to back up its outstanding looks, it's also fresh out of a professional, frame-off restoration that's so spotless you'd think it's never been driven. So, if you're a Trans Am enthusiast who's searching for that elusive F2 that you can literally purchase and drive straight to the show, we've got the car for you!

Before we go any further, here's how the car's Pontiac Historic Services documentation breaks down:

* DRIVETRAIN: L74 Ram Air III V8 that's paired to a 4-speed transmission
* EXTERIOR PAINT: Lucerne Blue
* INTERIOR: Standard Blue vinyl
* OPTIONS:
* --- Pushbutton radio ($61.09)
* --- Console ($58.98)
* --- Tinted windows ($32.65)
* --- Decorative mouldings ($31.60)
* --- Trim rings ($21.06)
* MANUFACTURERS SUGGESTED RETAIL PRICE: $4,587.63

Assembled at GM's famous Norwood manufacturing facility in May of 1970, this awesome blue bird was shipped across the country to A&G Motor Sales in Tell City, Indiana where it began a 43 year existence filled with immaculate maintenance and impeccable care. Today, wearing solid, rust-free body panels, it displays a nice looking coat of GM code 26 Lucerne Blue paint on top of smooth and solid surfaces that were recently re-visited in a high quality, frame-off restoration. And that cool blue paint is complemented by a correct set of “TRANS AM” call-outs that, along with a centered roof stripe and an aggressive 'Screaming Chicken' hood decal, create some of the most iconic and desirable muscle car war paint in automotive history.

The early 70s was a defining period for Pontiac's fabled Firebird. Sales were slow and new 'low speed' crash mandates required that the car either be completely redesigned or jump on the bandwagon of hideous and hastily done nose jobs that were creeping into every automaker's showroom. GM refused to spend the money on redesigning the car because of its low sales; and fortunately, Pontiac had a talented engineering staff which managed to blend both functionality and style into the car you see here. Up front, a straight and glossy Endura bumper hangs aggressive Pontiac grilles between clear Power Beam headlights and chrome-trimmed parking lamps. At the top of that bumper, a traditional shaker hood sits in front of pristine glass which is bordered by straight stainless frames and dent-free body trim. At the sides of that hood, body-matched sport mirrors hang between new-for-1970 fender vents, blue-inlayed door handles and four familiar fender spoilers. And at the back of the car, a rounded D80 trunk wing visually aligns with a centered “PONTIAC” script, pristine stainless exhaust tips, a pair of the last 'small' tail lights to ever illuminate a Trans Am valence, and a fresh copy of the final chrome bumper to ever adorn any Firebird or Trans Am.

Take a look under this Tin Indian's glossy blue hood and you'll find a 400 cubic inch, L74 Ram Air III V8 that, thanks to the car's fresh restoration, is a trophy worthy showpiece. Back in the early 70s, government-mandated emissions standards ensured the muscle car era was coming to an abrupt end. And many of the models that virtually owned the streets not even five years earlier were, unfortunately, in their final days of production. Luckily, the gearheads at Pontiac kept the faith and continued to offer multiple performance options which still created the kind of torque-rich power that muscle car buyers had come to crave. At 400 cubic inches, this WS block was already one of the largest engines you could buy in 1970; and by utilizing a unique distributor and application-specific heads, it managed to meet ever increasing emissions standards while still turning out a solid 345 horsepower and a stump pulling 430 lb./ft. of torque! At the top of the big motor, a reliable 4-barrel carburetor sucks air through a functional shaker mechanism that's anchored to a gloss black base. Below that carburetor, correct Pontiac Turquoise coats the entire engine, the aforementioned distributor sends fire through high quality Packard TV R Suppression wires; and restored exhaust manifolds swirl spent gases into a high performance, true dual exhaust system. All of the powerplant's ancillary components, from its mirror-like valve covers and new brake booster to its era-correct tower clamps and reproduction Delco Energizer battery are just as the factory would've installed them. The car's straight hood and engine bay are covered in a nice coat of GM satin black paint and detailed with baubles like a blue carburetor spring and fresh stainless fuel lines. And, as expected, decals, markings and stamps are just where they should be from the glossy, freshly stickered core support all the way to the clean, clearly marked firewall.

At the bottom of this slick second generation Trans Am, solid floorpans reflect a multiple year restoration; and a fully rebuilt suspension tells the story of excellent maintenance and very little road time. Behind the monster motor, a rugged Muncie M20 4-speed sends power to a beefy 12 bolt rear end that does a great job on either the back roads or the interstate. Below that stellar powertrain, a rebuilt Trans Am suspension, which includes factory power steering, thicker sway bars, better shocks and stiffer springs, combines with standard issue power front disc and rear drum brakes to provide quick stops and great handling. At the center of that correctly tagged chassis, a power boosting true dual exhaust system barks out a deep, vintage roar from a correct transverse muffler and spotless stainless tips. That roster of road ready hardware rolls on a fresh set of Pontiac Rally II wheels which spin F60-15 Goodyear Polyglas GTs around pristine PMD center caps. And all of the cars hardware and bushings appear to be in good shape from its tie rods to its solid and leak-free fuel tank.

Open this Pontiac's mile-wide doors and you'll find a fully restored GM code 201 interior that blends seamlessly with the car's bright blue paint! Low back bucket seats are supple, firm, and look every bit as nice and rich as our pictures imply. Between those seats, a molded blue console props an enclosed storage bin behind a chrome Hurst shifter and a factory 8-track player. Below that console, like-new carpet, which is carefully protected by silver-detailed floor mats, displays no fading or unraveling. And at the sides of that carpet, standard blue door panels hang pristine chrome handles between chrome window cranks and pliable plastic armrests. Above those door panels, a stain-free headliner is stretched tight between traditional GM shoulder belts. In front of the driver, an excellent looking engine turned dash props crystal clear gauges and a correct Delco radio behind a black tilt column and a black Formula steering wheel. And behind the cockpit, a fully restored trunk hangs a fresh decklid decal above a correct jack, a new houndstooth mat and a full-size spare tire.

Documentation for this awesome Trans Am includes an original owner's manual, original warranty paperwork, the aforementioned Pontiac Historic Services paperwork and a 1970 Car & Driver magazine.

Early second generation F-Bodies are becoming increasingly hard to find; and this highly desirable Trans Am is a pristine example of Pontiac's contribution to Detroit's first golden age of performance. This is the kind of car that you can take to the show on Saturday and drive to work on a sunny Monday morning. And with its correct drivetrain and top notch restoration, it's set to provide a new lucky owner with years of reliable cruising and great memories. If you're in the market for an old school classic that's the quintessential American muscle car; here it is. Grab it fast!