Most of the cars we cover on Barn Finds need work. It is always a plus when the car is drivable and can be restored and still enjoyed in the meantime. This 1978 Pontiac Trans Am is said to be in great running condition. It has some modifications but also has some nice options like T-Tops. It is located in Grinnell, Iowa and is being sold at no reserve here on eBay. With 2 days remaining in the auction, the car is bid to $12,700 after 39 bids. So clearly, there is some interest in this Pontiac Trans Am.
Of the three engines that were used in the 1978 Pontiac Trans Am, this car has the base L78 400 cubic inch V8 engine. It was rated at 180 horsepower in stock form from the factory. In California, the Trans Am could only purchased with the Oldsmobile L80 403 cubic inch V8 engine due to emissions requirements. It was rated at 185 horsepower and had about the same amount of torque as the L78 Pontiac engine. The optional performance engine for 1978 was the W72 400 cubic inch V8 engine that was available in all 49 states excluding California. Power improved compared to the prior year (1977) with the W72 engine due to new dual exhausts. The W72 engine was rated at 220 horsepower in 1978 and 320 lb ft of torque. The W72 engine could be paired with either an automatic transmission or a Borg Warner T-10 4-speed manual transmission. Whereas the other two engines were only available with an automatic transmission in 1978.
The car has aftermarket 17×9 aluminum wheels that imitate the look of the factory 15×8 snowflake aluminum wheels. One interesting observation is the tail lights are from a 1979 Firebird. I prefer the 1978 tail lights but at some point these were changed out. The seller states that the car has been repainted at some point. There are a couple of flaws in the paint and the front spoiler is missing. The odometer shows 27,193 which means it has probably flipped over at least once.
The interior looks nice in dark camel tan. The seats have been recovered and the car has new door panels. This Trans Am is not heavily optioned other than air conditioning and T-Tops. The seller is including the stock snowflake wheels with the sale. What will this one sell for in the next two days?
Here’s a suitable cruiser. Presentable but not perfect. Plenty to improve with your spare time and money.
Something is amiss…I have a ’78 T/A, Y88 SE that I’ve just completely torn down. You cannot simply switch the tail lights with the ’79 style. The underlying metal tail panel is completely different and they just simply don’t work. More than likely this is a ’79 (or later) that someone stuck a ’78 nose on…buyer beware.
I see a 79 with a back dated nose.
I believe it’s a 78 with an updated rear end…..
I see some bondo pop outs and some rust bubbles under the paint on the ebay pics. No underbody shots is worrying but would be a great cruiser if you had 15k to blow. Def 127,000 miles. Can anyone breakdown the vin to see what engine it is? Just says 400.
Good lookin’ car from a galloping horse, and would be fun as a driver. Unfortunately the repaint job is covering some “flaws” that are going to take a good bit of time and money. There’s rust, and the larger paint chip reveals serious bondo. I was just getting a license in 78. Wanted one bad then and still would like one, but the issues evident raise concern of what’s not visible. BTW, bid is over $13k now.
BONDO-BUCKET!!!! Just look at that chip in the right rear quarter! 😱😱😱