By 1975, the party was almost over. AMC AMX? gone; Plymouth Cuda? gone; Dodge Challenger? gone; Camaro Z28? gone; Pontiac Trans Am? Not quite, it was still hanging in there but the famed 455 CI Super Duty engine sang its swan song just the previous year. So, what was left for the Trans Am? Considerably less, but before we write it off completely, here is an example to review. The listing is as thin as it gets and it incorrectly identifies this Cleveland, Mississippi domiciled Trans Am as a ’74 – it’s definitely a ’75. It is available, here on Facebook Marketplace for $1,800.
When I read what little the listing states, I had to laugh as it claims, “This vehicle has no significant damage or problems“. Perhaps significant should be substituted with “insignificant”. The listing also claims that “all parts are there” but makes no allusion as to what parts. There are few images to go with the few words and there is enough dust covering this Pontiac’s horizontal surfaces that it’s tough to tell how bad the finish and body may be. There is clearly rust present in various places, note the area around the rear window and rear wheel opening. Situated on a dirt floor, for an obviously a long spell, will work negative wonders to the underside.
There are no images of the engine or interior though it’s not hard to imagine that the interior is in concert with the exterior. Pontiac started the ’75 model year with only one engine available for the Trans Am and that was a 185 net HP, 400 CI, V8. Transmission choices were either an automatic three-speed Turbo-Hydramatic, such as this example owns, or a four-speed manual. Pontiac added a 200 net HP, 455 CI “HO” engine to the Trans Am lineup in March of that year but it’s a safe bet that this ‘Bird has the standard 400 CI mill. Performance stats from ’75 put the automatic-equipped, 400 CI powered Trans Am’s 0-60 time at 10 seconds with the quarter-mile trap arrival occurring in 17.5 seconds, ouch! Examining the tilted shaker hood scoop would lead one to believe that all is not well under the hood. It’s safe to say that this Poncho’s engine hasn’t spun a revolution in many moons.
The bad news is that this listing is inadequate and the car is in deleterious condition. The good news, I guess, is that it’s cheap. The question is, will cheap sell, even with a car in this shape? There is no question that second-gen Trans Ams have come into their own with standouts being model year ’70-’72, SDs from ’73 and ’74, and any version dressed in a Smokey and the Bandit vibe. There’s probably $1,800 in parts alone on this forlorn Firebird but it’s nearly impossible to know, at this point, what it would take to turn this car back into a functional runner. What do you think, does the paucity of written and photographed detail make you want to take a pass, or is there enough here to posit an inquiry?
The price has already more than doubled on the listing, so, no, not a “bargain”.
Peculiar, it still states $1,800 in one place and $3,930 in another. Just another red flag…
JO
In two words, face & book.
Fireturd Trans Am Not.
“Driven 199,999 miles”
Who wants the honor of watching it turn over to 200,000?
…by rolling it downhill
From the Facebook ad…”This vehicle has no significant damage or problems.”
AHAHAHAHA!
Wondering how long it was under water???
Significant or Insignificant ? All relative I suppose with a laugh. Lack of photos is the issue. It appears the hood scoop/intake has fallen in toward the passenger side, begging more questions as to what lurks beneath the hood. Hate to see these so forlorn. This was a great car in it’s day, I’d gladly have the 400 in a solid ’75 TA…
shaker is 77 and up
What do u mean? They had a shaker all through the 70s.
I looked at the ad photos. What jrc is saying is that the scoop in the photo is from a 77 or later TA. He’s right. In addition the rear decal is from a 78 or later package (car is too dirty to see any of the other decals).
This is trivial but I believe the ‘77 was a one year only shaker with a very low profile
Tom, you are correct. Actually the low-profile didn’t even make the full run of 1977. Late in the model year, Pontiac increased the height of the molded scoop, however it did retain the vertical body color strip on the backside of the scoop (driver’s view). The 76 models and all earlier scoops were more rounded and had removable plates on the backside. The first couple years were actually functional. From the lousy ad photo, it’s difficult to tell whether it was the low-profile early 77, or the higher profile late 77, or 78-81. There was no knock-out plate on those scoops, all one piece molded plastic.
I had one just like it in 1989 and it was a great car. I would love to have it but it is in terrible condition from all I can see which isn’t much!
I guess if you were a firebird lover it would a $1800.00 starting point
What a sin. I had a yellow one of these. Of course swapped out the intake for a torquer & a 780 holley dbl pmpr. Scrapped out the pistons for some 10.5-1-s, edel cam & hookers, all in one weekend as an 18yr old with minimal guidance & LOTS of frustration. But it came alive to dust those late 60’s muscle, even the ponies. I traded it for a ’70 vette conv 350/350 4sp. in 1981. Wonder if I can still find that bird by vin #?
Parts car at best
Nightmare!
You’ll notice that now the price shows $18,000 scratched out to $3930. Still may be worth it to someone hankering for a T/A (like me) or for parts, but a classic “oops I have lots of interest so I must’ve priced it too low” move. Lots of shenanigans on Marketplace but also have made a couple good scores there. The way the wrong year shaker is sitting makes me think the intake and or carb is off, which could mean not so good for the OG 400 if it’s still in the car. Likely a poor repaint or accident repair judging by the license plate holder / fuel filler door. Rust. Rust. Rust. It can be ‘fixed’ but it never sleeps. Could make a fun somewhat cheap beater Joe Dirt Mullet driver with an inexpensive or budget refreshed drivetrain….. Super glad it’s on the ‘wrong’ side of the country for me or I’d be there with a trailer and some talkin’ money!
When is someone going to invent synthetic salt that still melts ice but don’t kill cars?
I bet they have……but its too expensive.
Fun fact…..there r salt mines under the city of Detroit.
Always a great idea to leave the window down. Keeps it aired out.