Some classics leave buyers with potentially difficult decisions to make. Such is the case with this 1978 Pontiac Trans Am Y88 SE. It is an original and solid survivor with no pressing needs. However, what is the best path for the buyer to follow with this classic? Does it deserve a cosmetic restoration to recapture its former glory, or is preservation more appropriate? The good news is that whoever takes it home can take their time to consider their options as they enjoy all that it has to offer. The seller has listed the Trans Am here on Craigslist in Lewis Center, Ohio. They set their price at $45,000, and I must say a big thank you to Barn Finder T.J. for spotting this beauty.
Pontiac adopted an evolutionary approach to styling updates when it released the 1978 Trans Am, choosing not to reinvent the wheel. It announced the Y88 Special Edition version in November 1977, but buyers could only order those cars for three months. As a result, only around 8,600 of these cars rolled off the line. That represents around 9% of total Trans Am production for that model year. It was known as the Gold Special Edition, and, as the name suggests, all cars were finished in Solar Gold with matching Gold decals and graphics. The seller describes our feature car as a survivor, meaning that a close inspection reveals a selection of paint chips and imperfections. However, with no panel damage or rust issues, the new owner could take their time to plan the future for this classic. Its Gold T-top glass panels are spotless, as is the remaining tinted glass. The trim is in good condition, and the 15″ Snowflake wheels look excellent.
The high point of this Trans Am from a presentation perspective is its interior. Trimmed in Buckskin vinyl, it is free from wear and major issues. The carpet looks exceptional for its age, and the plastic hasn’t crumbled or broken. It retains distinctive Y88 features like the gold machine-turned gauge fascia and gold-spoked wheel, and the only visible aftermarket addition is an upgraded stereo. Someone cut the console to accommodate the speakers, and I would be tempted to source a correct AM/FM stereo and a replacement console to return the interior to a totally stock look. The first owner ordered this Pontiac with air conditioning, power windows, power locks, a rear defogger, and a tilt wheel.
The first owner equipped this Trans Am with the more desirable 400ci Pontiac V8, rather than the 403ci “Olds” powerplant. They teamed this motor with a three-speed automatic transmission, and since the engine is the L78 version, it produces 180hp and 325 ft/lbs of torque. That doesn’t make it the most powerful beast on the planet, but squeezing extra ponies from the V8 is easy and inexpensive if the buyer isn’t focused on total originality. The seller quotes an odometer reading of 62,000 miles without mentioning verifying evidence. However, it may exist among the documentation that includes the original Build Sheet and Owner’s Manual. This Trans Am is a numbers-matching classic that the new owner can enjoy immediately.
Okay, it’s decision time, and it will be fascinating to gauge your view on this 1978 Pontiac Trans Am Y88 SE. Its relative rarity means that it deserves to either receive a faithful restoration or to be preserved as a genuine survivor. The seller’s price isn’t affordable, but it is realistic when we consider the car’s condition and originality. Restoration to a high standard could yield a potential value north of $60,000, especially if the odometer reading is verifiable. However, some readers will subscribe to the “they’re only original once” philosophy, meaning that I believe a fair few of our readers would opt for preservation. Of course, I have been wrong in the past, and it will be interesting to see if that is the case this time.
Not a rocket by any means, but a very nice Pontiac. 👌
$45k is silly money for this thing. I could see maybe in the low $30k range. Nice Trans Am but not that nice for the money. GLWTS
I agree completely. Seems as though that anyone that has a “malaise era” Trans Am just automatically defaults to 40K plus.
Question, could you get the cloth buckskin interior with this special gold edition and with out T tops.
Yes, you could get either the velour or vinyl custom trim and with or without t-tops. So there were a couple of combinations of the gold special editions you could order. The most desirable IMO is the T/A 6.6 (220 HP) four speed with velour and t-tops. That would have included the WS6 (actually it WAS a WS6 because the four wheel disc brakes didn’t come out until 1979. And when Pontiac ran out of 4WD rear ends, then it became the WS7.
I like it. I would like to have it just as it is and drive during the summer months.
I had a 1979 without the T Tops that was Solar Gold. It had the 403 Olds motor.
I wasn’t aware that you could only ‘order’ for a short time? I’m not sure what the seller means?
Most folks preferred the Black so they could look like Smoky and the Bandit.
Just my opinion!
19tiger65, very well said 👍
No Stick!
A little greedy on price for sure.
Not an L78 unless someone removed the chrome valve covers of the L78 and replaced them with the standard 400 (180 hp) painted steel covers. In 78 I believe 49 state cars got the base Pontiac 400 with the L78 an option whether the car was equipped with WS6 suspension or not. The Olds 403 was the California spec engine. Also, 4 wheel disc brakes didn’t come along until 1979 and then only with the WS6 package. Late in the model year Pontiac introduced the WS7 package with rear drums as capacity constraints arose.
Come on people. 30 thousand? I see shade tree, redone TA’s, not even close to this car for 30 to 35 every day. What is or is not correct on this car? They have the build sheet. Nothing to argue about there. This is a super nice, super clean, original car which needs nothing. Where are you going to get any year TA this nice for any less than 40 or 45? It would take a fool to paint this car, or to do any detail work on it, in my 68 year old professional opinion. Why would you paint it for another 10 or 15 thousand? It is not even faded enough or beat up enough to call it a patina car. Buy it and drive it, and be cool doing it.
U agre 40K us is a good price for this nice of a car. Some one is going to get a real nice car. I would have no complaints if some one was to put this under my Christmas Tree.
Too much money.
Nice T/A survivor. Twice its value
U agre 40K us is a good price for this nice of a car. Some one is going to get a real nice car. I would have no complaints if some one was to put this under my Christmas Tree.
I know I can find a lot of cars I can invest 40 to 60k on besides a malaise era Trans Am were the only thing I can see is a special color combination. Sorry I didn’t get the memo.
30-35 thousand tops for me.