Faster GNX: 1989 Pontiac Trans Am Turbo Indy 500 Pace Car
Our next feature is one of the coolest third-gen F-body specials and easily one of the sneakiest fast cars GM sold in the late ’80s. Pontiac took the turbo Buick V6 (related to the one in the GNX) and shove it into the front of a Pontiac Firebird Trans Am and put some Indy 500 Pace Car logos on the side. With more than the rated 250 horsepower and 340 ft-lbs the GNTransX hit 0 mph in the high-4 to low-5-second range and quarter-mile times commonly quoted in the 13-second range stock. That made it one of the quickest American production cars of its era and something special. Find this 1989 Pontiac Trans Am Turbo Indy 500 Pace Car offered for trade for an older muscle car – 60’s or 70’s located in Winchester, VA via facetrans pacecarbook.
From the seller:
1989 Pontiac trans am Indy 500 Pace Car, GNX v6 turbo
$1,111
Listed a day ago in Winchester, VA
About this vehicle
Driven 128,000 miles
Automatic transmission
Exterior color: White · Interior color: Tan
Fuel type: Gasoline
Clean title
This vehicle has no significant damage or problems.Seller’s description
Very rare and collectible 1989 pontiac trans am Indy pace car. GNX 3.8 turbo. Only 1500 made. Rated at 250Hp but more like 350 in reality. 4.6sec 0-60 times, they could high 12’s, stock out of the box, with slicks and some minor tweaking
I am looking to trade it for an older muscle car – 60’s or 70’s. Or maybe a ford hot rod Can add $$ for the right car.
This car never had any rust, it had 1 repaint. Door jambs and engine bay are original paint. Excellent floors and frame rails. Original exhaust in great condition Recent work includes brake rebuild, tune-up, and new wheels and tires. The immaculate interior is original, except new seat covers. I do have the original body side moldings they were left off during the re-paint. I have the door decals all the emblems are new.
Runs and drive great! I have had it for a couple years and time to get something different Located near Winchester VA
See a better way to drive something wild? tips@dailyturismo.com
Amusing missed character typo in DTs description. FWIW, i have a stock 87 ford escort that _can also hit_ 0 mph in hi4- low5 seconds!
How did I not know this engine had ever been a factory option in a Firebird? I’d have lost a serious bet on this topic had I been unlucky enough to make it.
I wonder if a 5-speed manual was also on the spec list as that would’ve been the bee’s knees!
https://www.turbotransam.com/history/
https://www.turbotransam.com/history/specs.php
Thanks Z, now I have a new unicorn to look for!
Gladly, now get back to being an undead sax player!
As I recall it was the fastest American car made in 1989…I’m going off old, old memories, but I recall it hitting something like 168 mph in a C&D test from the era.