The 1970s was a pretty miserable time for car enthusiasts, with most formerly potent classics reduced to shadows of their former selves. That has often left me pondering whether there is an American car from that era that could be deemed iconic. Broadly, that means was there a single vehicle that burrowed its way into the public’s imagination and is instantly recognizable by people who aren’t passionate enthusiasts? Starring roles on the small and big screen would give potential candidates a head start, and some would nominate the Gran Torino used in the TV series Starsky & Hutch. However, the black Pontiac Trans Am driven by Burt Reynolds in Smokey and The Bandit would be chosen by many. Our feature car is from the wrong model year, but this 1978 Trans Am would evoke strong memories for many of a carefree movie that offered unbridled entertainment. This is a dusty barn find with a documented 13,600 miles on the clock. Time hasn’t treated it kindly, but its unmolested state and low mileage might make it appealing to someone willing to accept a challenge. The Trans Am is listed here on Craigslist in Des Plaines, Illinois. The seller set their price for this classic at $10,000 OBO.
This Starlight Black Trans Am makes a positive first impression once the dust is washed away. The wheels aren’t original, but they seem to be the only modifications to a car that shines nicely and was ordered with the desirable T-Top. The plastic has survived well, and the tinted glass shows no signs of problems. However, we must brace ourselves because the situation may not be as positive as the photos indicate. The engine bay shots reveal a heavy coating of surface corrosion across many areas, suggesting the storage environment wasn’t favorable. The seller confirms there is rust in the lower extremities from sitting, but it is unclear how extensive it may be in the floors, trunk pan, rear valance, rails, or other prone areas. The new owner probably faces a nut-and-bolt restoration to recapture the car’s former glory, and how expensive this will be will depend on the skills they can bring to bear themselves. Structural issues would require professional attention, but an enthusiast with respectable skills could tackle the less critical issues themselves. Only an in-person inspection will reveal the truth, and it is something I would recommend with this classic.
Look at that corrosion! This photo illustrates why I recommend an inspection because there are few things worse than an enthusiast biting off more than they can chew. Beneath the corrosion is a 400ci V8 that sent 180hp and 325 ft/lbs of torque to the rear wheels via a three-speed automatic transmission. It would have produced a ¼-mile ET of 17.2 seconds in its prime, which looks pitiful today. However, buyers during The Malaise Era were used to such results, and it would take years for manufacturers to regain ground lost to emission regulations. The seller claims this Trans Am has a documented 13,600 miles on the clock and has hibernated since 1994. It is unclear why its previous owner parked it, but the physical deterioration may mean the buyer faces a long list of mechanical tasks before it resumes its rightful place on our roads. However, with parts readily available and affordable, this could be viable since the V8 turns freely.
The Trans Am’s interior hasn’t escaped the ravages of time. The photo quality is poor, but they suggest a retrim is on the agenda. The front seats need new covers, and I think the back seat might also be damaged. The carpet is only fit for the bin, and I think the same may be true for other upholstered components. Trim kits are available, and I can picture one of those on the new owner’s shopping list as they recapture this car’s lost youth. The seller refers to this Trans Am as well optioned, but the only extras I can spot inside this classic are air conditioning and an AM/FM radio.
It will be interesting to gauge your feedback on this 1978 Pontiac Trans Am. I am unsure whether its problems are as bad as they seem or if this is a case where the car is being “undersold.” It’s begging for love, but I wonder whether it might be beyond the point of no return. Its greatest attributes are its largely unmolested state and the verified low mileage. The buyer faces a nut-and-bolt restoration, and the reward could be a classic valued above $40,000 if they achieve a high-end result. Would you roll the dice on a classic that some might consider a 1970s icon, or is there more to this project than you could handle?
The rust in the engine compartment is enough but the rusty seat belt piece really does, or undoes, it for me. Low mileage doesn’t fly with me either.
Agreed. Not that they were galvanized steel or anything but here had to be a lot of moisture to rust a chrome plated seatbelt buckle. I shudder to think what the underside looks like!
Looks like the engine came out of the Titanic. Post sinking ….
Trans Am Sugar Cookie.
(Left in the oven too long…)
Low mileage means nothing if you replace the engine and rebuild it.
Too bad it was neglected so long, might as well pay 35k and get an immaculate one.
114,000 miles, it will cost WAY more than the value to restore.
Interesting it’s listed as Auto parts by owner. Is there a ” Rusty auto parts by owner” section on craigslist ? Too much rust for low mile barn find. Under carriage pictures would have been nice or gross ?
Craigslist now charges $5 for an auto for sale ad, so the new thing is to list them for free in the auto parts classification.
Dash shows 1,361 miles which is certainly 101,361 miles.
There’s no way that’s the interior of if a 13,000 mile car.
You beat me to it — The guy apparently doesn’t know how to read an odometer. Must be a youngster who does not know what a tenth of a mile is, and failed to learn such things in public school …
I totally agree, good luck on the price!
Seller is reading the odometer wrong. It clearly reads 01346, as in 101,346 miles. Nice car once it gets cleaned up and has a cosmetic refresh.
I sure would love to see the seller’s mileage documentation. You’d have to get pretty creative to convince people that this is a 13KJ-mile car. It’s been repainted (care to wager there’s Bondo under that paint?), the engine compartment has more surface rust than cars with ten times the mileage, the interior is rough for 13K, the original wheels are gone, and so on and so on. Plenty of red flags here. It’s worth noting that the seller also claims this is a “Bandit” car (officially called a “Special Edition” car), which it most certainly is not.
Are we going 110? (Yeah) We’re going 110! Why do you wear that cowboy hat? I know, you think it’s dazzling.
Looking at the condition,that has got to be 113k and it has flipped over once.Only 13k miles put on it from 78′ to 1994?The interior has alot of wear,pull back the rug and check those floor pans,it is a t-top car…..
It’s a shame they let it get this way but I’m sure it’s not a “Bandit” as the stripes are all wrong and the dash if I remember correctly was gold instead of silver around the gauges. What is interesting is that on the driver’s side of the engine you can see one of those cheap chrome valve covers they put on the T/A 6.6 engines and it had, I think, 220hp instead of 180. At least that was how my 77 was sold. Funny the T/A engine was only a $50 option according to the window sticker.
Looking at the interior and how the rest is on the dash and the brake pedal and parking brake etc how about maybe the thing was underwater once? Totally not out of the question…
OMG! I think even the fan belts and engine hoses are rusted too!🤣
Fail to mention this ‘barn’ was found when the reservoir was drained.
The deceptive “wet” pictures.
I don’t get how many read the mileage wrong! It certainly doesn’t have 01361 miles on it. A very hard 101K at least.
Everybody’s wrong with the mileage (but right that it’s wrong). It says “013614” Somebody just transposed the last two numbers. It must be a gen z’er who doesn’t know the white last numeral is one tenth of a mile. Thinks he found a pot of gold. So, I would agree it’s 101,361.4 miles. It’s certainly not 201,XXX because we know they don’t last that long. Sorry dude, good try.
We have seen much worse come through here , it has potential but an in person inspection is a must. I agree that odometer has rolled over and the seller just doesn’t know what the real bandit cars are and how too read an odometer or they are flat out lying. I especially don’t like the fact they listed it under parts to avoid paying the nominal fee to list a vehicle, that’s scamming/ lying right out of the box. Giant red flag to me.
What flood water did that car come from ?
At one point wanted one of these. Now that I’ve grown up and see the later 2nd gen Trans Am’s for what they are.. Heavy, tacky, and underpowered. Not even considering feeding one, but don’t mind either way. Just not much on the body style beyond the graphics and shaker hood. Guess if the nostalgia is your thing? If it’s your boat and it floats.
I’ve owned 5 of these cars from different year models. Loved them all.. ,but I’m agreeing on mileage being over a 100K and it’s been under water… I personally have never seen anything rust like that…. couldn’t pay me to haul it off…Sorry man