A 1974 Pontiac Trans Am was discovered abandoned and gutted inside an Illinois building recently purchased by a new owner.
A forgotten piece of American muscle car history has resurfaced in Illinois — buried under years of dust and decay.
A newly purchased commercial building in Illinois has revealed an unexpected and neglected tenant: a 1974 Pontiac Trans Am. The car, found stripped and abandoned inside the structure, was discovered by the building's new owner during his first walkthrough of the property.
The muscle car, once a symbol of V8-powered American performance, was reportedly left behind by its previous owner, who passed away while reportedly owing more than $50,000 in storage fees. By the time the car was uncovered, it had been reduced to a near-empty shell.
According to a listing for the vehicle, the Trans Am’s engine and many major components had already been removed, leaving just a handful of interior parts — including a pair of front seats, a gear shifter, and the original steering wheel. Dash gauges were missing entirely, and rust had begun to take a firm hold of the classic bodywork.
Despite its deteriorated state, the vehicle is now for sale — with an asking price of $1,000. Though not likely to be roadworthy again, the shell may serve as a donor for other restoration projects or as a unique piece for collectors seeking hard-to-find Trans Am body panels.
The 1974 Pontiac Trans Am came during a high point in Firebird sales. That model year saw over 10,000 Trans Ams sold, and more than 73,000 Firebirds overall. With optional engines like the 455-cubic-inch V8 pushing out over 300 horsepower, these cars remain among the most iconic from the golden era of American muscle.
Pontiac’s final Firebird rolled off the line in 2002, and the brand itself was shuttered in 2010. This recent discovery offers a glimpse back at a storied chapter in Detroit’s performance history — now reduced to a quiet, rusting relic in a Midwestern building.