The 1977 and 1978 Trans Ams have always been my favorite of the bunch. I’ve always liked the “bird beak” front end better than those before and after these years. Then add black paint and the gold markings and it will always catch my eye. This reader submission 1978 Trans Am, found here on eBay, caught my eye pretty quick for its looks as well as its price tag.
It seems like it’s getting harder to find these cars in halfway decent shape for a halfway decent price. They will likely continue to climb in price in the coming years and that seems like a good reason to take a second look at examples like this one. The seller states that this one runs and drives great which is a big plus for a potential buyer.
This Trans Am could definitely use some love. The seller states that it does have rust in the rocker panels as well as the quarter panels, but the pictures overall don’t look terrible. It’s always hard to know what’s underneath so a potential buyer should proceed with caution. Thankfully, this one has the Pontiac 400 instead of the Oldsmobile 403.
This Pontiac seems to be right between being a driver and needing to be restored. Could this be a project that could be driven while it gets some work done? And does the $5,000 Buy It Now price seems reasonable for this T/A’s current condition?
It doesn’t seem potential buyers think it’s a good value, this is the 5th time it’s been listed on eBay in just over a month. Being located in the middle of nowhere doesn’t help it’s prospects either.
Steve R
cheapest ask i’ve seen on a T/A in anything approaching reasonable working condition in a couple years.
seems like a no-brainer if it’s what a person is looking for.
i love ’em….to look at. the long doors & inevitable body noises with age & t-tops have kept me away.
still love to find a clean 70-73 Formula or T/A 4-speed for a good price.
heck, since i’m already dreaming, might as well make it a SD455, right?
Best movie EVER!!!( 1st semi truck I ever drove was a KW like this) I’m a bit disappointed the author makes no mention of it. That movie helped sell a LOT of Firebirds. Everybody wanted to be the Bandit.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UuDK0xIZFTo
R.I.P. Burt Reynolds
I am not an expert at all but do like this.
Would love to own it if it were local. I suspect its worth a lot more in the UK too.
At some stage I want to get my first Amercian classic and this is an iconic car.
Go for it. There will be time when you wonder “why” but it’s worthwhile. LHD in RHD country takes a bit of getting used to but it’s no biggie for me.
I think your right Chris.. sadly I am burning every spare penny I have at the moment on a property renovation.
I also have this romantic idea about buying a car in Vegas and driving it to the port with the kids in the back.
One day I will get one .. just not at the moment sadly. Unless .. right car, cheap and near a port maybe …
I try to stay away from cars like this one.
When I look under the hood I see somebody has messed around with it and probably removed the A/C system to save weight or something like that.
You can bet the rest of the car has been messed with as well.
I paid $6,500 for a great looking 78 Trans Am. Am now into it for $20,000 and almost done. These cars are expensive to restore.
Any car is expensive to restore…
The 76 was the only year for the front end that came on the car. No other year had it. I find that one the better looking then these ugly things. Also, if you find these better looking then the 70 through 73 with that fighter jet front end on it that screamed fast. Well I just don’t know.
I’m sorry. I have to disagree with you. I like all the Trans Am’s of that era but especially like the 1976 model. My 1976 was the same color, silver with red interior, 455 four speed. The only difference is mine had the honeycomb rims. Yes it had the lower compression engine. But a few simple mods (real dual exhaust, changed metering rods in the carb, and lose the pollution controls made a big difference). I still love that car and knew I was making a mistake when I traded it for a new car.
Vehicle Title: Rebuilt, Rebuildable & Reconstructed
May be one of the reasons why it hasn’t sold.
God speed Bandit, always a hero
Burt Reynolds, this car’s best salesman, died, today. Maybe that will raise awareness and get this sold quicker?
More like add a zero to the price tag,,,RIP Bandit.
Even Burts passing couldn’t prompt someone to pull the trigger on this car.
Steve R
I’m sure he’ll meet up with Jerry reed & Jackie Gleason to make one more run.
10-10 as you ride into the sun Burt.
Look for them to come out of the woodwork now, due to Burt’s passing. He made them very popular!