This 1976 Pontiac Trans Am will require some restoration work, but with a 455ci V8 and 4-speed manual transmission, it was the most desirable offering in the Trans Am range for that year. It looks like someone might have commenced the restoration, but it has stalled fairly early for some reason. It now needs someone who is willing to take it on, and to return this classic pony car to the road once again. The Trans Am is located in Orlando, Florida, and has been listed for sale here on Facebook. The owner has set the asking price for the Pontiac at $8,500.
The photos that the owner provides of the Trans Am aren’t particularly illuminating, and apart from saying that the vehicle needs work, he really doesn’t tell us that much either. The matte black paint that graces the Trans Am’s flanks is a later addition, but I believe that it might have rolled off the line finished in Starlight Black. I can see rust in a few locations around the vehicle, including in the lower rear quarter panels, and around the trunk opening. It isn’t clear whether there is any rust in the car’s lower extremities such as the rockers or floors, but the lower corners of the doors, the lower fenders, and around the rear window, all look quite good. The Trans Am is fitted with tinted glass, and this all looks like it is in good condition. The wheels aren’t original, but they would be considered to be period-correct for this car. Whether they stay or whether they go will be a matter of personal preference.
The Trans Am’s interior is a mixed bag, and it will need some work to return it to its best. The covers on the front seats have some rips and seam separations, so they will require replacement. The headliner is sagging and showing signs of developing mildew, while the carpet is also showing wear. Both will require replacement, but for me, that mildew is a bit of a worry. That indicates that things have been pretty damp in and around the vehicle, which might not bode well when we return to considering rust issues. The dash, dash pad, and the rear seat, all look to be pretty good and should present quite nicely with a good clean. The Pontiac was also ordered with a nice array of extras, including air conditioning, power windows, and a tilt wheel.
This is a numbers-matching Trans Am, equipped with a 455ci V8 and a 4-speed manual transmission. We don’t get any shots of the engine bay, but this one of the trunk seems to confirm the owner’s claim that the engine has been disassembled. We can see the intake, pistons, and the rods, all floating around in there. The shifter for the 4-speed wasn’t poking through the floor in the interior shot, which suggests that both the engine and transmission have been removed. The amount of corrosion that is present on the pistons and rods could indicate that the engine has been dismantled for quite some time, and that, once again, the Pontiac has been exposed to a significant amount of moisture. I would like to see the engine block because, with the corrosion that we can see here, I’m wondering whether the cylinder bores are in the same sort of shape. If I look into my crystal ball I can foresee plenty of work in the future for the next owner of this car.
If someone was to take on the restoration of this 1976 Trans Am and they performed the restoration to a very high standard, then it would be one really nice car. It could also be a car with a value that could nudge up towards the $40,000 mark. That value would be significantly dictated by whether or not the original engine is in a fit state to be rebuilt. If it can’t be, then this will knock a noticeable amount off that potential value. However, the corrosion and the mildew that I’ve spotted around the vehicle has set the alarm bells ringing for me. So, just how viable this Trans Am is as a restoration project will probably only be able to be determined by personal inspection. What do you think?
Don’t recall any floods in Orlando but you can’t deny the trunk and the parts in it sure look like they had one.
It could be a nice restored looking car.
The engine worries me a bit as no block shots or under hood along with parts all in boxes to have lost parts.
The engine is a five grand build . The body and the interior is going to put one in the hole. The four Speed is the selling point with engine if its matching # s and not a cracked block .
I thought the pictures looked faded deep blue to me but the quality of photos lighting is not that good.
I have a numbers matching project 76 455 in process of restoring right now. I’d say a fair price might be in the neighborhood of $4500-$5000 Providing the engine is rebuildable..
I agree the most I would pay is $5000.00
Such a high price . To have to pay a big price for the parts it will need. I have a 76 TA . It needs alot of work on it and if he thinks he can get $8,500 for it. Maybe I should raise my price $7,500 . hahaha It was a 4 spped car too. I can,nt believe some of these asking prices and see a reasonable price. But $8,500?
Too high for an unknown engine and the mildew isn’t good either.
I had a 76 with crow on the hood, don’t see one here unless covered with dirt
Steve,The bird on the hood was a factory option! I also had a 76 ordered with no hood decal!
Mine was originally Firethorn with red interior. PHS shows no hood bird. LOL $35.00 wish I could get one that cheap now. Anyways, I bought it as a flip 5 years ago, gotta do black on black with chicken decal. LOL I have another plain rust bucket 400 auto 76 T/A That might be a keeper for a while.. Still battling color choice, was silver with black interior.
Thx Leo, had no idea
More than one red flag here for me.
It looks good enough to deserve an up close and personal inspection. “Moisture and Rust” is the Florida state motto.
And here’s a useful tip for all of you who like to dismantle engines to let all the parts take on an even shade of rust color while you contemplate your bellybuttons; do this instead, spray them with a nice coating of Cosmoline! They still have plenty of the stuff and it’s way cheaper than refinishing or replacing those precision parts! At least think of someone else for a change, like the person who takes on your project after you give up and quit.