Rollers and parts prices in SoCal have always been higher than the rest of the country- I guess the rest of the country is just catching up.
T/As have always been recognized as the top-of the line Firebird, so it's not surprising they command higher prices. I recently worked on a 79 T/A that a customer bought last summer for around $14.5k. the car was your typical 79 T/A- black w/ hood bird,403, auto, T-tops, and clean. Not sure I would pay that much for a 403-powered T/A, but clearly people are willing to pay.
Geno