If you’ve been looking for a Trans Am, this one could be the golden ticket! And that’s not just because it’s a Y88 Special Edition Gold Bird. Not only is it a 15k mile survivor, but it’s also well equipped with the WS6 package, W72 optioned engine, and a 4-speed. You really couldn’t option a ’78 Trans Am any better than this! These cars have taken off with and values seem to still be climbing. You can find this one here on eBay in Dickinson, North Dakota with a current bid of $16k.
Pontiac offered a number of special edition Trans Ams, but the Y88 Gold Special Edition was the only one available in ’78. The package included the Solar Gold paint, color-matched headlight trim, contrasting pinstriping and matching gold Snowflake wheels. It’s definitely a great looking combo! The interior in this one looks just as nice as the outside and is ready to enjoy.
Given when it was built, the performance was obviously down, but Pontiac made sure the Y88s were as fast as they could be. The suspension was upgraded with heavy-duty components, quick-ratio steering box, and the beefy sway bar. Under the hood is the 220 horsepower 400 cui V8. That might not seem like a lot of power, but these engines churn out about 320-foot pounds of torque!
The seller calls this T/A an investment-grade car and I tend to agree. At the same time, I’d have an incredibly hard time buying it and not driving the wheels off. It might not look like the Smokey and the Bandit car, but I’d still drive it like it is! I suppose a few burn-out won’t hurt anything. You can always buy new tires, right? I’m sure whoever buys this beauty will park it somewhere safe and sound, but I sure hope they put a few miles on it!
Hmmmm…the seller says it was repainted and got a new interior somewhere along the line. That doesn’t exactly square with 15K miles to me, and puts a little bit of a crimp in the sales price if you’re buying what amounts (to most people) as a display-only piece.
For a price somewhat south of the ask, I’d like to buy it, perhaps check out a few upgrades for the 400, refresh all the systems that may have suffered from lack of use — no mention of it being drivable, or even a runner — and then rack up a whole bunch of fun miles. The paint/trim package really doesn’t mean that much to me, but the basic specification sounds like a winner.
Looks like some bids have come in, and I’ll bet some of them would stash it in a collection. That’s not the way I roll….
Still looks good to me. I’d drive it.
While I’ve never been a big fan of gold paint, this has the Poncho 400 and 3 pedals, so I’m already excited. The low mileage definitely helps. I’m glad to see there is quite a few low mileage, well taken care of Trans Ams. Nice car to own in my book.
Hmm. This or the clapped out 318 Barracuda above… Not a difficult decision. Plus this has the 4 spd!
The 1978-only Gold Special Edition certainly stands out against the sea of black Special Editions out there. I recall reading that poor paint quality was the reason the gold version was one year only. This could also explain the repaint.
Mullet heaven.
Did anybody notice that all the low miled cars? What di all those people buy a car and put less than 15000 miles and put it away? Cant and wont believe all the cars that pop up here is low miled cars. Some one is lying. Nice car. But I think it is what you call a restored low miled car.
A car with low miles that old every thing you would have to do to it to drive it is a lot I have had some cars as nice as that but I believe in driving them they were built to enjoy instead of just looking at. they need to smoke the tires on occasion not tear it up but enjoy it I had a 1971 Corvette 454 ci 450 hp that was not only beautiful but an awesome car it was never mistreated but enjoyed to the fullest.
I believe that is the wrong year stripe kit for that car.
Its the correct decal kit for this car. Pontiac used the newer bird and lettering for this SE.
Again too far for me to take a look see! I always love the gold paint on these TransAm. Good luck to the new owner.
$40k and reserve still not met? I have a ’78 W72 4-speed T/A in Mayan Red with T-tops in similar condition and I’m getting a boner…..:-). Like they say, a car is worth whatever someone is willing to pay for it.
Getting excited here too Joe. I have the exact same SE only automatic that I paid 21K for. 4 speeds will obviously command higher pricing but the Y88’s are definitely starting to get noticed now.
It’s surprising how many 2nd gen t/a’s got a/c. Looks lot better under the hood w/o a/c. Factory 8 track now(’78) built into the radio, i guess.
Beware when parking, with no body side molding, then again, should you really drive it, if mileage is correct?
Vintage Air makes a really nice AC kit for these cars and gets all the clutter out of the engine compartment. It’s really the way to go. There are several examples on the http://www.RestoreaMuscleCar.com website to see what it looks like installed. I am going to install this in my car to get the clean engine compartment look!!
Auction ended with Reserve not met at $43,000.
Car-azzy