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17k Mile Gold Edition: 1978 Pontiac Trans Am

The Pontiac Firebird was a popular car in the 1970s, including the performance-focused Trans Am. Sales exploded after the release of the 1977 movie Smokey and the Bandit where a black Trans Am was part of the cast. As a result, 1978 was a banner sales year and even prompted Pontiac to produce the Gold Edition, which went to just 8,666 buyers. Located in Mission Viejo, California, this beauty has been babied for the last 44 years and has just 17,000 miles on the clock. It’s available here on eBay where the reserve has yet to be met at $38,100 (so far).

As a one-year-only offering, the Y88 Gold Special Edition Trans Am was an exclusive for 1978. With the success of the black and gold special edition the year before, Pontiac decided to reverse the paint scheme and the Gold Edition was born. Ordering the package got the buyer Solar Gold paint with dark gold pin-striping, gold headlight opening trim, a gold Pontiac nose emblem, and gold-tinted T-tops. But it didn’t stop there. The cars also came with gold 15X7-inch snowflake wheels with gold emblem center caps. The cool-looking auto was finished off with a five-color “screaming chicken” hood decal.

This ’78 Gold Edition also has the W72 Performance Package which included the Trans Am 6.6-liter V8 engine that produced 220 hp in those days of tightening emissions standards. This motor produced an extra 20 horses thanks to an upgraded camshaft and compression ratio. For reasons unknown, the original owner (s) of this car must have thought they had a future collectible on their hands, so it was driven sparingly, and the odometer has yet to reach 18,000 miles.

The body, paint, and interior look as nice here as they did the day the dealer delivered the car. If there are any scratches or other flaws, you’d have to take a fine-toothed comb to find them. There are a couple of dirt spots on the mat in the trunk, and that may be it. The Pontiac is said to be in great running condition and is loaded with options as the build sheet provided with the car will attest. One odd item that sticks out on a nice survivor like this is the brand-new gas tank. Did the car sit too long, and rust formed inside?

Comments

  1. Avatar Greg B Member

    Wow, that is nice!

    Like 16
  2. Avatar Stan

    This seems like a perfect car for a warm mission vièjo evening drive.

    Like 8
  3. Avatar joenywf64

    My ’74 bird still has original gas tank with 225k miles on it. Maybe it was replaced on this car just as a precaution or to dress it up underneath?
    I believe the original BFG tires in ’78 had bigger white lettering.
    Aren’t the steering wheel spokes & dash panel supposed to be gold, like on black SE’s?
    Did they build any non t-top black SE’s with a vinyl roof?
    I hope not.

    Like 3
  4. Avatar Poppy

    Awesome car, but why do I suddenly have “Macho Man” playing in my head?

    Like 4
  5. Avatar 455RAIV

    W72 400 Engine underated @ 220 hp NHRA Rates them at 285 hp . With tuning Dual exhaust Hooker headers Twin catalytic converter’s and open shaker hood – stock engine 78-79 W72 400 Macho T/A’s From DKM were running low 14’s at near 100 mph and you got a Warranty – back in the day fastest american car :)

    Like 0
    • Avatar RH

      Great information, except the car in the article isn’t a Macho TA.

      Like 1
      • Avatar 455RAIV

        Correct just mentioned that to show uncorked how strong the W72 400 engines are :)

        Like 2
  6. Avatar 370zpp Member

    Nice to see it here in this condition, but what a waste to not drive it back in the day.

    Like 0
  7. Avatar Ronnie

    Russ Dixon, You state a “6.6 litre” However the denote a “K” code olds 403 engine. The shaker is clearly marked “T/A 6.6” which is 400 cubic inch engine with the available upgrade in ponies. Caught you . Lol

    Like 0
  8. Avatar Ronnie

    Russ Dixon, You state a “6.6 litre” However the denote a “K” code olds 403 engine. The shaker is clearly marked “T/A 6.6” which is 400 cubic inch engine with the available upgrade in ponies. Caught you . Lol

    Like 0

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