- Seller: Kelly K
- Location: Grand Island, Nebraska
- Mileage: 129,000 Shown
- Chassis #: 2W87Z6N521382
- Title Status: Clean
It may seem strange or at odds with the classic scene to describe this 1976 Pontiac Trans Am as a survivor, but I feel that term is appropriate. The custom car scene has continually evolved since the first passenger vehicles rolled off the production line. Coachbuilt bodies were the earliest examples, but owners have focused more on modifying production models since the 1950s. This Trans Am is a prime example of the scene during the 1980s, and it is rare to see such vehicles so nicely preserved. Most have been further modified to reflect current trends or have gone to that great motoring graveyard in the sky. It has sat for a few years in dry storage, but the owner feels it needs a new home with an enthusiast who can preserve or restore the Trans Am to its former glory. Therefore, they have listed this cool Pontiac with us at Barn Finds Auctions.
Readers who were in their youth during the 1970s and 1980s will find this Trans Am’s appearance pretty familiar. It started life finished in Cordovan Maroon, but the custom process included fitting a 1977 front end before performing a color change to its current Bright Red. Custom pinstriping, a booming side exhaust, and classic Cragar SS wheels were added. The Pontiac is remarkably well preserved, which is rare for vehicles of this type. It has remained garage-kept for years, meaning the significant rust issues that often plague these cars have been largely kept at bay. There are visible signs in some lower extremities, although I see nothing that couldn’t be tackled with patches. A few minor paint and panel blemishes can be seen in the supplied photos, but addressing the rust and preserving the Trans Am in its current form is a viable option. It is also worth remembering that every change is reversible, making a faithful restoration another option. The glass is in excellent condition, while the rear window louvers are another wonderful period-correct touch.
Lifting this Pontiac’s hood reveals the original 400ci V8 that produced 185hp and 310 ft/lbs of torque when this car was shiny and new. Shifting duties fall to a three-speed Turbo Hydramatic transmission, with power assistance for the steering and front disc brakes. The power and torque figures look relatively modest, but improved breathing courtesy of the headers and side exhaust may have unlocked performance improvements. The owner says the engine always ran well but has hibernated for a couple of years. However, the bulletproof mechanical components mean that coaxing it back to life shouldn’t be challenging. A thorough inspection and some rudimentary maintenance could make returning this gem to active service an affordable and achievable short-term goal.
The Trans Am’s exterior isn’t the only area to receive custom touches because they abound inside this classic. They include carpet covering for the dash and console plastic, a Kenwood radio/cassette player, a nine-band graphic equalizer/amplifier, a wiper delay unit, and a CB radio. These updates supplement factory options that include air conditioning and a tilt wheel. This car’s standard Red vinyl upholstery and trim are in remarkable condition for their age, with no rips or tears. The headliner is excellent, the machine-turned gauge fascia is free from cracks and issues, and the carpet shows no significant wear. Reversing the changes should be possible without spending a fortune because the carpet will be glued onto the plastic and vinyl. While it will require patience, it is worth remembering that it should have protected those surfaces from UV exposure. Therefore, the condition of those items could be remarkably good once exposed to the light of day. Those seeking a more stock appearance will welcome the inclusion of the factory 8-track player in the trunk.
The Second Generation Pontiac Trans Am remains a strong player in the classic market, and spotless examples often command impressive prices. This 1976 beauty isn’t perfect, but it is a fantastic project candidate. Possibly its greatest attribute is the endless opportunities it offers the winning bidder. A faithful restoration is a realistic goal because every existing custom touch is reversible. Modernizing it is another approach worth considering, but I find the prospect of treating the rust and preserving it in its current form almost irresistible. Unmolested customs from this era are thin on the ground, and those that still exist always draw crowds. Interestingly, it is not merely people who grew up with these cars that are drawn to them like magnets. A new generation of enthusiasts finds them fascinating because they provide insight into a unique era in motoring history. Which approach would you consider? Transforming that dream into reality may only be a bid away.
Bid On This Auction
- joelvscars bid $5,600.00 2023-12-22 12:50:19
- Norman bid $5,500.00 2023-12-22 11:33:35
- joelvscars bid $3,235.00 2023-12-20 16:17:13
- RockMoto bid $1,755.00 2023-12-20 13:39:35
- Freebird bid $1,200.00 2023-12-18 06:50:06
- Perry Kleine bid $600.00 2023-12-17 05:58:58
We’ve seen this car before.
A pre ’77 taller rounder shaker hhod scoop is used here – not sure if the air cleaner had to be changed or the hood had to be cut.
Well, it is a ’76, so maybe he kept the original hood/shaker and swapped the rest of the front end with a ’77. A more curious alteration is why the engine fan is flipped backwards. Is that a drag racer’s way to reduce engine drag or something? It certainly can’t move much air that way.
I would replace the nose with a 70 to 72 nose. The 77 to 80 nose looks like crap with that big bumper sticking out a foot farther. Then I would repaint it back to the stock paint and redo the interior back to stock also. Put the cb in a different spot and redo the side pipes.
To each his own…I’m sure whoever made these changes thought it was pretty “rad” back in the day. I do like that all the period aftermarket add-ons are still present. The wiper delay I’ve never seen before but the equalizer/power boosters were very popular given the state of factory car audio at the time.
I hope someone buys and appreciates it for what it is and takes care of it.
At one point they called some of the milder examples like this “day two” cars. You pick it up from the dealer, do headers with side pipes, ladder bars, cragars, and other mild mods. I don’t think there’s anything wrong with calling that a survivor.
Love those deep set cragers
A little ornate for my taste perhaps but it’s a genuine Trans Am. The side pipes actually work for me here. Right now I’m remembering something approximating what we see here pulling up to a 7-11 during a blizzard. The driver had a set of chains on the rear tires with tensioning bands to keep the chains stretched as tight as drum skins. I think that is what got my attention; there was no slack in the chains. I was on my way to work in the same blizzard and I’d end up staying in the plant for the next 36 hours. The Governor of New Jersey (Tom Keane was it?) had closed the roads while we intrepid types were at work.
Put a flux capacitor on it and take this car back to 1985….
Joe Dirt comes to mind.
The side pipes might look better if they where like Corvette side pipes than the short fake pipes on it niw.
I was loving the car until i read the h.p. #s way to low.
I bought a new 1976 Trans Am Limited Edition L75 455, four speed, T-Top and black on black.
Only 110 manufactured that year.
Owned it for only two years…
Today it’s be worth 15 times or more what my window sticker said.
Kicking myself these days for selling it.
And the ‘70 Boss 302 Mustang and…
A 1976 round headlight (only year on 2nd generation Firebirds) is worth the most out of the 2nd generation Firebirds…
I’m still too sensitive to look at the Hagerty value.
Maroon would have sucked in my opinion but resale red would not have been my choice for a refinish.
If I were looking for a project this would be a good starting point if the price was right and it wasn’t rusted out.
Graft a correct ‘76 nose on it, reduce the 1970’s red hippie house fuzzy stuff inside and at the very least, remove the pin striping with solvent (If it’s enamel on polyurethane) buff it out and find some factory wheels..
You say 76 is only year round headlight on second generation. Last time I checked second generation was 1970-1981 and 1970-1976 all had round headlights.
2nd Gen Trans AM started in 1970, the 76 definitely isn’t the most valuable!
I too owned 1 of the 110 455 T top LE cars back in the day.
Join the club. Nineteen years ago I traded the last black 2002 Firehawk east of the Mississippi on a pickup truck. This is the one vehicle for which I have true seller’s remorse. My local Pontiac dealer spent ten days or so tracking this car down for me in July of ’02. Turned out there was one just across the river in New Jersey about 20 miles away.
I don’t know much really, but I seriously dig the duct tape on its air intake pipe! And then there’s the carpeted dash and console – kinda reminds me of Sesame Street…
This isn’t a 76 it’s a 77. 1977 was the first year for the back glass to wrap around the sides of the quarters onto the b-pillars/quarter panels. I bought one new in summer of 77. I’m a fan of most 77 T/A’s but this one isn’t one of them.
1975 was the first year for the wrap around rear window. 1977 was, however, the first year for the quad rectangular headlamps.
Poppy is right. 1975 was the first year of wrap around rear window.
I believe the vin# says it all,it’s a 76′!
Actually if you read all the write up you will see this is a 76 but with a 77 nosepiece added.
And If I read your comment all the way I would have seen the comment about the rear window and the rear window was actually wrapped around Pontiacs and Camaro’s both in 75. 1974 was the last year with the smaller back window because of some people not being able to see with side mirrors. Personally I find the smaller back window a better looking option but can see from a safety point where the larger wrap around window is a better option. All that said, This car could certainly use some serious help on the interior. I would leave the front end on it and repaint it back to the original color. As for the fan, it’s just a guess but I wonder if it’s the original fan and for some reason it wouldn’t fit put on correctly with the next year nose. No matter the reason, it’s definately something that needs addressed.
https://www.imcdb.org/i002521.jpg
Thought of the movie, the jerk when I saw this
The only amazing thing about this TA is the headliner seems not to be falling down!
Like the dash & console cover, the headliner is a custom replacement.
Next……
I’m saying more rust than meets the eye but hey, it’s got almost a full tank! That’s worth a hundred.
This car was probably wrecked and put back together with the first thing they found in the salvage yard back in the days before damage disclosure was a thing. The fit is terrible on the nose at the fenders.