The original buyer of this car new what to order when they walked into the Pontiac dealer. This is a 1978 Pontiac Trans Am with the Y88 special edition package, 4 speed, W72 400 cubic inch engine and WS6 suspension. While it is just a shell of its former self, it would be incredible to see this car back on the road. The listing was sent to us by Russell Glantz and the car is located in Richland Center, Wisconsin. There are 5 days remaining in the auction here on eBay and the car starting bid is listed at $3,500. So far no brave souls have posted a bid.
The interior shows that the car was well optioned with power windows, power locks, tilt steering air conditioning and a deluxe cloth interior. The deluxe interior came with upgraded seats and door panels. Obviously, this car has been exposed to the elements and everything needs to be replaced or restored. The 4 speed shifter looks like the factory Hurst shifter and the car also has T-Tops which was fairly rare in 1978. I believe the T-Tops on Y88 cars were gold tinted.
A look under the hood indicates that the car was originally equipped with the W72 400 cubic inch V8 engine which was the highest performance engine available in 1978. The seller states the block is not original. The W72 400 cubic inch V8, which came with either an automatic or 4-speed transmission. In this case, the engine is backed by a 4 speed transmission which would have been paired with a 3.42:1 rear gear ratio. The W72 engine received new dual exhausts compared to 1977, boosting its horsepower from 200 in 1977 to 220 in 1978. The base engine in 1978 was the L78 400 cubic inch V8 (180 horsepower, 310 lb ft torque, automatic only) and California Trans Ams received the L80 403 cubic inch V8 (185 horsepower, automatic only, for California residents).
The exterior gold paint still covers some of the body. Rust and bondo cover the rest. This car was listed back in February but did not sell. Pontiac produced 1,267 Y88 gold special edition Trans Ams in 1978. The car left the factory with the WS6 Special Performance Package which featured improved handling including 15×8 aluminum snowflake wheels, special shocks, larger diameter sway bars and a better steering turning ratio. This one will need a nut and bolt restoration but it is a unique car.
F-Body Fever
F-Body Fever
Awesome pkg from Pontiac for 78′
Other than exotics, what keeps up with these Birds that year ? 🇺🇸 😎
a 1978 Dodge Monaco Police with the 440, Cop Tires, Cop Shocks, Cop Suspension.
😎
Hit it
😆
😆
Depends on what you mean by ‘keeps up’, but the Dodge little red express truck was the ‘fastest’ American made vehicle in ’78.
The 360 powered truck. Yessir. Good call.
This is a parts car. The sellers description points potential buyers in that direction. As stated in the write up, when it was last featured on this site the seller had an opening bid of $5,000, the next time they ran this car its opening bid was $4,000, this time it’s $3,500. Sooner or later they’ll hit a price point that will be enticing enough for someone to take a chance.
It has some good options, but how many are useable?
I give the seller credit for being flexible and lowering the price, there’s nothing wrong with starting high, especially if you can’t find a direct comparison as a guide. Far too many sellers set an unrealistically high price and sit on an item for months or years without budging on the price, that doesn’t seem to be this guy.
Steve R
For a second, I thought I saw a cool old graphite equa-lazer tucked beneath the steering column, but I think it’s actually just a Summit sticker.
As someone who bleeds Pontiac Red, it’s truly disappointing to see a car like this in such a miserable state. This is barely a parts car.
How special or rare is the W-72 engine package. My Mom had that engine in her 77 T/A she bought new.
The wheels shown are not the 15×8″ as indicated with the WS6 package. The ones shown are the optional 15×7 wheels.
It looks like the last driver self-combusted while behind the wheel.
Rusty junk.
Just a “shell” of its former self, but there barely any shell left here!