Completely darkened save for the lights and reflectors, this 1976 Pontiac Trans Am in Godfrey, Illinois looks as black as Lincoln’s top hat and rusty as a sunken Civil War battleship. Joking aside, we’ve all seen worse-looking rides restored to show-quality grandeur, so don’t poo-poo this Pontiac’s potential. The Poncho’s 455, four-speed manual gearbox, and factory air conditioning make it an interesting find. Check out more pictures and details here on eBay where at least seven bidders have cast a bid, easing the mid-west classic’s market value over $3000 with about three days left.
Can rust fly? Pontiac’s 455 cubic inch V8 will give it a fighting chance, though the seller recommends a solid donor car. This beast runs and drives, though the listing calls it “not roadworthy.” It’s rare to see a ’70s car this rusty wearing an air conditioning belt; mark that as one good omen. Horsepower ratings reached all-time lows in the mid-’70s but that big-inch torque will make itself known, especially with the attached four-speed.
Blackness continues inside, except for the snazzy engine-turned dash and other brightwork. That three-spoke steering wheel is about as cool as they came in ’76. With no center console, the no-nonsense shifter sprouting from the carpeting begs for a workout, one performer in a delicate dance of converting torque into forward thrust as the 455 works hard to melt the stock-sized tires.
Just guessing here, but it’s too bad nobody took pictures of this car in the field or yard where it sat for decades before finding this garage. Expect a host of cutting, measuring, and sizzling metal before this Trans Am heads eastbound and down. Luckily many restoration and replacement parts for these popular Pontiacs are plentiful. The allure of a black Trans Am carries across multiple generations. What future do you see for this passed-over Poncho?
I see the credit card being put on the skillet.
Thanks for the link Fitch love that tune 🎸 🎶
Absolutely true story Stan.. I was playing East Bound and Down today in my truck while at work. Granted I was stuck in bumper to bumper traffic, so I guess you could say I had a long way to go, and a short time to get there. Great refference to the song Todd. Thanks
At least it’s air conditioned.
not enough pics to decide value . because of this expect people to walk away when standing in front of this TA. this also works for camaro bodies . to see the integrity of these bodies .this is a good way to check structurally how sound they are. you pull the air vent inside the door near the latch catch below B pilar on both sides of car . get those out of the way and a good quality light and shine the light in the body cavity …
The engine department appears to have been under water.
Just my thought.
R.I.P…Rust in pieces
dang,, it has all the right stuff … what a shame it was allowed to get this way
As clean examples get scarcer, these will only go up in value, despite the admittedly rough condition. With the prices these command when restored, even a complete rotisserie restoration might be worth the coin you’d have to pay, especially if that 455 could be upgraded to “Super Duty” status, with a forged crank, four-bolt main bearing caps, high-flow cylinder heads, a low restriction intake and making that “shaker” hood scoop functional in the process! If my budget could stand it, I’d seriously consider installing a full aftermarket frame under this bad boy. Either that or aftermarket front and rear subframes, with subframe connectors, as part of the restoration process. With amount of power and torque that 455 can make, I’d want to keep the engine from twisting the body into a pretzel, LOL!