The 1976 model year was the end of an era for the Pontiac Trans Am. Few realized at the time, but it would be the last where buyers could order these classics with a legendary 455ci V8 under the hood. This is one of those cars, and faulting its presentation is pretty hard. The only thing it appears to need is a new home, and I must say a big thank you to Barn Finder Rocco B. for spotting this beauty.
Pontiac’s Second Generation Firebird remains among my personal favorites, but nailing down which I would park in my garage is challenging. I have always been drawn to the styling of the ’76 Trans Am, but my preferred paint shade would be the Martinique Blue that the company offered in 1978. The seller confirms that while this car wears its correct shade of Starlight Black, it underwent a repaint approximately fifteen years ago. The only imperfections are minor chips on the bumper, suggesting nobody has gone out of their way to wear out this classic since the repaint. The panels are laser-straight, with the underside shots confirming that this Pontiac is rust-free. The graphics, including the iconic Screaming Chicken, are crisp and clean, and the Snowflake wheels are spotless. The Snowflakes rate a special mention because this car rolled off the line fitted with a set of Rally II wheels. However, the first owner soon discovered they preferred the alloys, swapping to this set as soon as they had the chance.
If anything surprises me about this Trans Am, it is the original owner’s decision to combine Starlight Black paint with Buckskin vinyl interior trim. Black and Red were more popular choices according to several resources that I have, but that point of difference helps this car to stand out. The presentation isn’t up to the same standard as the exterior, with the driver’s seat showing some wear and deterioration. However, with the remaining upholstered surfaces in good order and no evidence of abuse, it is comfortably acceptable for a driver-grade classic. It seems apparent that the first owner focused on performance because the only factory options specified on the Window Sticker are the air conditioning, console, and rear defogger. They also specified an AM/FM radio, which has made way for a modern CD player.
Everything to this point has been the entree, meaning it is time to move on to the main course. The 1976 model year was significant because it was the last where buyers could order a Trans Am with a 455ci V8 under the hood. The first owner chose that path, adding the four-speed close-ratio manual transmission, a 3.23 rear-end, and power-assisted steering and front disc brakes. It is fair to say that this engine was a shadow of its former self, delivering 200hp and 330 ft/lbs of torque. Rewind the clock to 1971 and the driver would have had at least 335hp and 480 ft/lbs at their disposal. There is a vast chasm between those figures, just as there is when the subject turns to the ¼-mile ETs. A 1971 Trans Am took 14.3 seconds to complete the journey, with the time ballooning to 16.4 seconds when this car rolled off the line. That demonstrates quite graphically how things changed during The Malaise Era. The seller claims that this Pontiac has a genuine 23,000 miles on its odometer without mentioning verifying evidence. They state that it drives better than it looks, opening the door for a pretty enjoyable motoring experience.
The seller listed this 1976 Pontiac Trans Am here on Craigslist in Farmingdale, New York. They set their price at $54,500, which is well above the market average. However, it isn’t unprecedented for a car in this condition and with a 455 under the hood. It isn’t perfect, although its presentation makes it ideal for someone seeking a high-end driver. Its most significant attribute is undoubtedly its engine because that 455ci V8 marked the end of an era. There has often been debate about which would be the best cars to preserve that will allow future generations to appreciate what was lost with Pontiac’s demise. This Trans Am must be a strong contender. Do you agree?
Puttung the correct factory wheels back on it would help this sale a lot.
It would indeed, but I’d want the snowflakes as part of the deal. At least there factory.
C’mon Adam, it’s a Phoenix, not a chicken.
In 1976, Pontiac’s Firebird brochure referred to the Screaming Chicken as “the available giant Firebird hood decal.” Starting that year the unmistakable graphic was glued to the hood of every Special Edition, Anniversary and Pace Car model Trans Am sold until 1981.
I’ve researched the screaming chicken, and Pontiac never divulged what bird.
The screaming chicken was originally a derogatory term, but evolved into a proud part of the Firebirds history.
The screaming chicken, was almost not to be .
Nice looking T/A. Little before the black -n-gold craze. The interior looks a little bit off. The car is well appointed and the upgraded wheels fit the bill. Worked with a guy who owned a white 455/4-speed with blue interior. Poor car was beaten to death. He traded it for a new automatic ’81 chevette.
I know GM interiors in the 70s to early 80s tended to have a range of somewhat matching colors across the various plastic, vinyl, metal and cloth components, but this one looks like it has an off-white dash, camel tan (or Buckskin, I guess) seats and door panels, and a black center console ? While I know from experience that the camel tan interiors were hard to keep looking clean, I do think an ALL tan interior would look good in this vehicle with the gold trim. If the dash and console were dyed/painted to match the seats and door panels, the look would be much better.
This car maybe a laser straight rust free example but it is hardly original. I owned a 76 455 4-speed in white with the tan interior. I traded it in for a new 78 model WS6 in Martinique blue. My 76 came with a tan console, not black, and those floor mats are not OEM. It is also missing the driver side shoulder harness guide and the exhaust cat. Seems very suspicious for what is presented as such a low mile car.
I wonder if the console was an option not ordered and the black one was added later ?
It could be as simple as there weren’t any brown 4spd non-power window consoles on the shelf, so black was installed to keep the assembly line moving.
Steve R
Losing the cat probably gained the big 455 25-30 horsepower.
Good points It is also missing the clutch pedal pad!
Nice car but interior looks like a mismatch.
Love the 455/4speed. Round headlights look better than the side by side in 78.
Could the power numbers be down because of net vs gross figures.
Classic looks with still some punch in the end. Always like this car in white.
We take all undocumented mileage with a grain of salt. It checks most of our boxes otherwise. Reduce the price about 35%, we’d consider checking it out.
My older brother had a black ’76 like this one he bought new back then. I don’t think it had a 455 though. It had a white interior with the dash, center console and carpet being black…it looked nice, contrasting with the black exterior paint and gold TA graphics. The wheels it came with were the original style snowflake wheels. It was a cool car…wished he had kept it.
Very few vehicles keep their original owners for 48 years. Marriage, mortgages, children and education costs usually get in the way.
The wheels look good on this car but the snowflake wheel wasn’t available until ’77. I own a ’76 Formula with brown interior and it has several different shades of brown. I think they just pulled whatever off the shelf and stuffed it in.