1970 ½ Pontiac Trans Am RA IV
This is very likely the rarest and most desirable 70 ½ Pontiac
Trans Am RA IV left on the planet.

1 of only 88 ever made!
1 of only 24 Van Nuys, CA Built RA IV Cars
California car with CA Evaporative Emissions Package
4-Speed Manual Transmission
Nearly All Original Sheet Metal
All Matching Numbers Drivetrain
Build Sheet!
PHS Docs


By the numbers: Of the 3,196 Trans Ams Pontiac built in 1970, only a scant 88 were ordered with the Ram Air Super Duty or RA IV engine combination. Only 24 of that 88 were built at the Van Nuys, CA plant (can you say “Build Sheet”?). 59 of the total were automatic transmission cars and only 29 were 4-speed manual transmission cars. Now, of the small number of those 88 1970 ½ RA IV Trans Ams made, how many were California evaporative emissions package cars with the 4-speed manual transmission? Maybe 3 or 4? How many of those were destroyed on the road or are left un-crushed? I believe this may be the only 1 left.

If you were radical enough in 1970 to order your Trans Am with the 400 CI RA IV engine, you got an engine that was only rated 4 HP higher than the very much more common RA III engine (370 vice 366 HP). However, insiders at Pontiac and everyone who finally drove a RA IV equipped car can tell you that the 370 HP rating was a gross underestimate. For checking off the LS1 engine code (option 342) and an extra $389.68, you got the legendary big, oval-port 614 cylinder heads with longer, swirl-polished valves. You also got a very high lift camshaft measuring .527" lift (both intake and exhaust) and 308 and 320 degrees of duration, 1.65-to-1 ratio rocker arms, larger diameter push rods, higher valve spring pressures and an aluminum intake manifold. The engine was assembled with much tighter tolerances than any other high-performance engine Pontiac was producing at the time, closely resembling a “blueprinted” engine. In addition to the engine, you got the only 2nd Gen year Firebird that was ever equipped with a 12-bolt, heavy duty axle. What you really got was one of the most legendary and rare pieces of Pontiac history ever created.

“Born with”, numbers matching 400 CI/370 HP RA IV engine, Muncie M20 Wide-Ratio 4-speed transmission and 12-Bolt, 3.73 geared Positraction rear axle. Code 10 Polar-White exterior with code 211 Medium Bright Blue Vinyl (deluxe) interior. All original sheet metal (except lower rear valance). 40,431 original miles. Original stamped, date-coded wheels with the correct Firestone “Wide-60-Oval tires”. In addition to all the equipment that came standard on the Trans Am in 1970 (power steering, power disc brakes, F41 suspension, Rally Wheels, etc) and the mechanicals above, this Trans Am was additionally optioned with all tinted glass, AM Radio, floor mats, upgraded body moldings, door edge guards, custom trim, center console and the CA evaporative emissions package.

This particular piece of Pontiac history was built at Van Nuys, CA plant in the second week of July, 1970 and shipped for initial sale to Westward Pontiac in Phoenix, AZ. It had been originally intended for sale in CA, however a “Change Alert” on the PHS says someone changed their mind. It is documented with its original build sheet, Pontiac Historical Society papers, its original cowl tag and pre-restoration photos. Restoration completed to the highest standards, including the proper Polar White overspray over the red oxide on the bottom of the car. One of the rarest Pontiacs ever built.

Please call Rich at (703) 398-4988 or (704) 721-0090 if questions. More pics at www.rkcollection.com