1989 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am Turbo Indy Pace Car Edition

This 1989 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am Turbo Indy Pace Car Edition has accrued 71,624 miles since new and is one of 1,555 total 20th Anniversary Pace Car editions produced for the year. That number is further narrowed to one of 1,324 outfitted from the factory with removable glass T-tops and a leather interior. Power is delivered from the original turbocharged 3.8-liter V6 that has been reworked with JE pistons, a Crane roller cam, moly rings, Manley valves, a TurboTweak adjustable chip, and many more performance upgrades. Like the engine, the 4-speed automatic transmission has been rebuilt with a shift kit and it is paired with a limited-slip differential. Finished in White over a Camel leather interior, this third-generation Firebird is now offered with a clean CARFAX report and a clear California title in the seller’s name.

Riding on the General Motors F-body platform, the third-generation Firebird debuted in 1982 in both liftback and convertible body styles. This three-door liftback from the Firebird’s 20th-anniversary production run was repainted in the original White, then redressed in livery as an official pace car for the 73rd Indianapolis 500 on May 28, 1989. The resulting finishes are said to be in good condition, having been garage-kept and collector-maintained since 2009. The cockpit has removable glass T-tops that come with shades and storage bags, and the exterior features fog lamps, a full-width taillight panel, stainless-steel dual exhaust outlets, and a fiberglass rear spoiler in place of the original rear foam unit.  

Basketweave 16” gold wheels with polished lips are wrapped in newer 245/50 Kumho Ecsta tires. Handling is assisted by power steering, a WS6 performance suspension setup, and four-wheel heavy-duty brakes.

The interior is fitted with Camel leather four-way manually-adjustable bucket seats, color-matching door panels and carpets, and contrasting black dash and center console. Amenities include air conditioning, power windows and power mirrors, door map pockets, reading lamps, a Delco AM/FM cassette stereo, and an aftermarket keyless-entry system with two fobs.

Instrumentation is framed by a tilt-adjustable multi-function steering wheel and includes a 140-mph speedometer, a 6k-rpm tachometer, and gauges for boost, oil pressure, coolant temperature, voltage, and fuel level. The six-digit mechanical odometer reads 71,624 miles, which the seller asserts is a true reading.

The turbocharged 3.8-liter V6 carried a factory rating of 250 horsepower and 340 lb-ft of torque when new. A rebuild was carried out under prior ownership at 57k miles, leveraging components including JE pistons, moly rings, billet main caps, ARP bolts and studs, a double roller timing set, high-volume oil pump, Manley valves, a Crane roller cam, roller lifters, and Comp 941 springs. The engine retains its stock intercooler and uses 30 lb. injectors along with performance upgrades including Scanmaster software, a TurboTweak adjustable chip, and an LS1 mass airflow sensor and translator. Power is directed to the limited-slip rear end through a rebuilt 4-speed automatic transmission with a shift kit.

Photos showing the underside are available in the carousel.

The CARFAX report shows no history of accidents or damage and documents an open 1990 recall for seat belt knuckles and a mileage discrepancy. Regarding the latter, the seller confirms that the vehicle has been driven approximately 250 miles over the past 8+ years. The sale includes storage bags for the T-tops.