If Burt Reynolds had driven a black Pontiac Trans Am convertible in Smokey and the Bandit, would it have looked like the seller’s car? This is said to be one of 55 rag-tops produced by National Coach Engineering under contract with Pontiac. If you ordered one, you paid about $12,000 more than you would have for a regular Trans Am. This one is in rough shape and hasn’t run in 38 years, so it will need a complete restoration. Located in Clayton, California, you can buy this rarity for $10,000 here on craigslist.
According to research provided by the seller, Pontiac may have commissioned upwards of 500 Trans Am convertible conversions between 1978 and 1981. Several coach builders were involved, and National Coach may have had five or six dozen orders to fill. The plaque on the door jamb on the seller’s 1980 T/A says it was #9, and we understand that these cars had the proper bracing needed for the stability required for drop tops. Thanks to the continued popularity of the Smokey movies, Pontiac still sold some 51,000 Trans Ams in 1980, but none were officially convertibles.
This example has been dormant since 1988, and the odometer reflects 90,000 miles. It’s numbers-matching, but the seller is throwing in a 1979 T/A engine (6.6 liters) in case fixing the one in the car proves too problematic. As the engine in the machine turns freely and the car has a new battery, perhaps Herculean efforts won’t be required. The car is still in the California DMV system as non-op, so no back registration fees will be required of the buyer.
If Smokey had once driven this car, the gold emblem on the hood is no more. The whole car may have been repainted way back when, and it will need it again. While the seller says the auto is solid, there is rust under the rear seats. A restoration may be cheaper than chopping the roof off a regular 1980 Trans Am, and there are very few of these left because the original population was so small. Have you ever seen one of these (besides this cool tip from Jack M.)?
No.
That passenger seat 💺 got laid back a few times 💁♂️😲
May have to go back and check the definition of “rough”.
This is indeed rough. It may be worth bringing back do to its rarity, but being a non-OE conversion good luck finding any parts for the convertible components.
I think this was featured on Jalopnik the other day (nice price/no dice), almost universally despised LOL. Questionable initial build quality of the convertible conversion, followed by decades of outdoor storage with the roof down. One comment was approximately “…driven for eight years then parked with the top down. You gotta ask why?”
I think, had it been maintained, it might be a pretty cool set of wheels to burble around town in, but this one has a lot going against it.
That’s 54 more than what they should have made.
55 too many!
You have to know that any additional bracing was not enough. Particularly in a Firebird. I had an uncle that had a 79 Cadillac Eldorado that was a convertible conversion and that poor car was never the same regardless of the additional bracing that was claimed to have been inserted. A car not engineered from the start for a convertible roof is a disaster waiting to happen.
In 79-81my Dad was involved in design and tool making at NCE Port Sanilac Mi . They made limos Camaro s and Firebird convertibles. Once they had a maserati as well. As a 12 year old I’d sweep floors on Saturday there would be t top roofs cutoff and lined up outside. ( I always thought that was a waste). But as all things end the economy cost and body change ended that run
RUFF!!
10k. yeah good luck with that.
Free would be to much money for this pile..
I’ve given away a couple Firebirds ( a ’74 and a ’77) in the past that were in better shape.
Nice area in the East Bay though…
lol
If Joe Dirt was a Poncho man, maybe
I have a 1979 National Coach Engineering (NCE) Z28 Camaro Convertible.
The structure under the car added by NCE is actually very well designed and substantial.
Certainly not everyone’s idea of great however I like it as I have thing for and own numerous Cut Cars, Limo’s and cut/modified trucks including Centurion 4 door Bronco’s and Customs of Cleburne Dodge Diesel Crew Cab conversions among others!
How about a photo of your Z
Site will not let me post a photo.
Yes i own a Sawzall, why do you ask?
Never seen one before in the wild and while it’s cool for the unique factor, I have to admit, I am not crazy about a vert in this body style as the body geometry doesn’t lend itself well to not having a solid roof line.
Scotty G. could probably design a better looking one!
What a piece of garbage. Just crush it already
I’ve seen a couple of these in the wild back in the day, & they don’t look good with their tops up & not much better with them down. I had honestly forgotten all about them until I saw this listing. Lotsa luck to whomever decides to take it on. They’re gonna need every bit of it.
It is certainly interesting. I’ve finally learned not to buy a project, no matter how cheap. That’s me. It always costs more than it’s worth considering that I can work on things, but I’m not a welder, painter, machine shop or upholsterer. I’m not even sure I could be paid to take one this rough.
No.
Terrible thing here! My dogs both say this one is RUFF!!!
If the suitcase is too large to fit in the back seat or trunk, then tie it down on that high tech luggage rack on the trunk lid. You’ll be the most popular guy in town !
$9000 to much for this . it will cost $30000 to make this drivable . Not Werth the time .