Pontiac Firebird 1967-2002 - Whats a 81 Smokey and the Bandit T/A worth$$$

Found what I want. 81 T/a Black w T-tops. 350 needs work best offer. Have not talke to the owner but it looks to be in original shape old seats bad paint a few dents ect. Not sure if it runs or not. Auto trans. What is a car like this worth? How much should I offer. I am very excited looks like it needs paint weather stripping and some TLC.

I always start with $20.
Got a couple vehicles for $50 that way. It really depends on if the owner thinks it is worth alot or not.

I was thinking like 500$. Guess you never know.

The 1981 Trans Am originally listed for $8,300, and that's without the Y84 option for special appearance option (black and gold treatment). It never came with a 350 engine from the factory, so if you want to restore it back to factory specs that's a minus. The car could be worth as much as $5K, but without photos I'm guessing. Keep in mind more reproduction parts are becoming available for these cars, but big items like fenders, hoods and complete quarter panels are not reproduced and thus will be $$$$.

Derek

81 isn't really sought after that much by a lot of people. Depending on if it runs or not and look for rust at the a-pillars at the windsheild, back window at the deck lid, front and rear quarters, trunk, floor pans, etc. I would say you could pick it up for no more than $1000. You need to start low though, don't be afraid to insult the guy, tell him $300 and go from there.

Ok so it needs a fuel line repaired it was JB welded no big deal. It originally had a manuel trans now has a auto. 4:11 rear. Motor is 350 with machined heads harland sharp roller rockers new intake holly 600 or 650 ?? carb. interor has leather seats all good except driver. little rust extra fender and trunk the originals are not bad. new altnator and water pump. So I offered him $1000 if it runs he wants $1500 what do you all think. I should give him $1500!!!

If you get the car what are your plans for it? If you are going to just change a lot of the stuff then I wouldn't get it. Just because it runs doesn't mean shit, anyone can get anything to run for a few minutes, just means that the dizzy is stabbed right and the gas in the tank isn't that old :)

Those came from the factory with the Olds 403 6.6L V8 I believe.

I used to have a '79 T/A.

I think they may have also come with a 455, but I'm not sure.

455's were last offered in '76 i think, the olds 403 from '78-'80 maybe? '81's only had 301's i believe...

455 engines stopped in 1976.
Olds 403 engines used in 77-79 models only.
A 1981 T/A would have either a 301, 301 turbo or 305 Chevrolet engine originally, and they didn't have leather from the factory (only '79 10th anniversary models did).

Again, without photos I'm guessing, but it should like it could be worth the $1500 even if you parted it out. All depends on what you want to do with the car and how much money you have to do it. Buying a complete car (or even a clean car with an underpowered motor) can be tons better than a project, but just another opinion.

Derek

i had an 81 non turbo car 4.9. i loved it. my dad bought it new in oct 1980 and gave it to me in 85 when i got my license. its what got me hooked on fbodies and now i have owned about 15 of them

My planes for the car are to make it able to be a daily driver and restore it close to original. Just get it on the road some paint ect.

at least it has a 350 in it to start with. I have an 80 Trans am myself and pulled that boat anchor out (301) and built a 400 sb the way i wanted it with all the goods. Its black and red interior. The car is a BLAST to drive and always gets looks everywhere i go b/c you really just dont see many on the road. Havent seen the photos but a good place to look for rust is under the battery....I had to completly rebuild the framing underneath it including the radiator support. To me it was worth all the time/effort/and money!

if you are looking for a car to restore to original then stay away from this one

Picked it up last night. Working on getting it cleaned up and started today.

Yeah, without having a matching number engine, it will never be worth top dollar (second gen t/a's just don't bring in the big bucks....although a 71-1/2 split bumper Camaro will see some good coin). But, you can always go resto-rod with it. I'm thinking 1200hp twin-turbo small-block. Time to get crakalakin!

Yeah, without having a matching number engine, it will never be worth top dollar (second gen t/a's just don't bring in the big bucks....although a 71-1/2 split bumper Camaro will see some good coin). But, you can always go resto-rod with it. I'm thinking 1200hp twin-turbo small-block. Time to get crakalakin!What?!? Try finding any decent '70-'73 Trans Am!! I'm not even going to mention the prices for an original Super Duty 455!!! Also, the '79 400 4-speed cars have really increased value, as well as the 10th Anniversary cars.

Enjoy your Trans Am. Look towards putting a nice PONTIAC engine in the bay. 455's and 400's are easy to find and build and make great torque!!

2nd gens are really starting to increase in value. I have been looking for a good 77 black & gold one for about 3 years now.All you can find are rust buckets or clean low mileage or restored ones in the 30's or 40's. So I went with my 2nd choice,a all original 75,000 mile, 81 Turbo Y84 black & gold edition TA. It's not as fast as my Firehawk but its sure gets 3 to 4 times the looks !! I love that car.

2nd gens are really starting to increase in value. I have been looking for a good 77 black & gold one for about 3 years now.All you can find are rust buckets or clean low mileage or restored ones in the 30's or 40's. So I went with my 2nd choice,a all original 75,000 mile, 81 Turbo Y84 black & gold edition TA. It's not as fast as my Firehawk but its sure gets 3 to 4 times the looks !! I love that car.I recently replaced my rusted 1980 WS6 car with a rust-free 1980 Y84. While I'm not keeping it in SE trim (or the 301 for that matter) it's cool and gets noticed! You used to see them everywhere. Not anymore.

I agree, the 2nd gens are really going up in value.

Yeah I was thinking about buying a 79 TA 400/4speed back in austin Tx for around 3 or 4 grand that was runing just rough exterior interior. If I wasn't about to move to San Diego I would have been all over that thing like ants on candy. Those are going up in price.

They had a whole bunch of Bandit cars at the TA Nats this last weekend.

I like the 67-69 fire birds......And alot cheaper than 69 camaros

Well I got mine for 1000$. Had lots of problems. The fuel was leaking. Gas tank had to be dropped and cleaned. Intake was leaking water into the oil. Had to replace the intake gaskets. I got it running and put 1/2 mile on it yesterday. Now the radiator is leaking. So if any one could recomed a good radiator?? Worst part the oil pan was leaking jacked up the motor droped the pan found part (the little ear that sticks down)of number 2 piston in the oil pan. I could see the piston itself missing the peice. However the motor does run and we will see for how long after I get this radiator replaced.