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Cracked Bird: 1976 Pontiac Trans Am

1976 Pontiac Trans Am

Why can’t some sellers back far enough away from the car when they take pictures? The shot above is the widest angle showing the most of the car out of the nine pictures the seller posted when they listed the car for sale. It’s offered here on eBay, and is located in Oxnard, California.  The opening bid is $200 but the car has a reserve. Yes, I like to see detail shots, but at least give me one overall picture so I can frame the car in my mind. This be-spoiled Firebird has paint that is cracking horribly on some surfaces, and I’m guessing the white showing through on the back bumper means it’s been replaced with a junkyard unit at some point and poorly prepared for paint. This car is one of the relatively rare (2,590 produced) 50th anniversary (of Pontiac) cars that had the black and gold color scheme and special decals.

Cracked paint

This was not the “Bandit” package though. It was offered later and was also black and gold. Despite Pontiac producing over 47,000 Trans Am’s in 1976, this 50th anniversary edition really was unusual at the time. I can’t get past the body issues though, and there’s no telling what’s hiding under that paint. The car does have a 400 cubic inch V8, which in this model year meant it was still a Pontiac engine; later TA’s had some Oldsmobile and Chevrolet engines. Even though the car runs well, has a good transmission and is well optioned with power windows, air conditioning, tilt wheel and cruise control, I just wouldn’t want to take on all those body issues. What about you?

Comments

  1. Avatar Gary Fogg

    I junked one of those years ago, severely rotted, had tons of cool options, sold off some parts but not a big demand for stuff of that vintage, still have hood, air breather, scoop, deck lid, spoilers, etc. Mine was a 400, AT, am FM with an 8 track in the console, had a posi but only 2:56 gears ! Talk about wimpy ! I also had the Hurst Hatches in the roof which I still have. Too bad mine was so rough, 2590 is a low production run. The honeycomb rims looked sharp as hell on those too.

    Like 0
  2. Avatar Jamie Staff

    According to this site: http://www.2gta.com/1976ta.html there were only 533 400’s with the Hurst Hatches…that was a rare car!

    Bidding is now at $3,550 and hasn’t met reserve yet…

    Like 0
  3. Avatar JW

    If it’s all there and since it’s running it would be a collector car to have but only if the price is right. With the Smokey and the Bandit thing these cars especially the black ones are desirable.

    Like 0
  4. Avatar DON

    looks really rough! not telling how bad the rust may be, rust frame?

    Like 0
  5. Avatar pontiactivist

    These are coming up in value. If rust isnt too bad and its complete I wouldn’t mind having it.if price doesn’t get stupid. Had a few second gens. Good brakes and handling decent performance. Really not bad cars.

    Like 0

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