Just bought a 1983 Trans Am. Car is totally pristine. 35k original miles. Never seen rain.

My first car as a kid was an 82 firebird manual long ago.

This car has a rough jump and clunk into gear going from drive to reverse and visa versa. Also when coasting and then accelerating, there is a decent delay in the car grabbing and going.

I kind of remember my first car doing this and my brother’s 87 Trans Am also doing this but it’s been quite some time.

Is this normal? Just an 80s era car? My mind is polluted with modern car driving experiences.

 

I would get underneath and check out the rear transmission mount. Known to go bad and cause loose clunking from rear of tranny shifting around.

 

My thoughts here ;

Has this car had it's transmission fluid & filter changed recently? If not, that's one thing to try right there WRT the "decent delay in the car grabbing and going" thing.
As to the clunking, yes as Aaron said it could be the transmission mount, if it's never been changed it's rubber has likely turned to mush by now , easy enough to check.

Also,

If your first car was a manual shift I don't see how it coulda been jumping when being shifted from Drive to Reverse.....

 

LOL, yeah i drove my brothers 87 Trans Am a lot. That is what i meant.

Transmission fluid is brand new and very clean. I will definitely check the transmission mount though. Thanks!

 

I will definitely check the transmission mount. My dad is saying it could be the U joints.

 

Check the torque arm mount as well. Excessive back-lash in the ring & pinion can cause a clunk, but not with only 35,000 miles.
Engine idle that is too fast can cause a clunk as well. The delay you mentioned could be transmission related though...