The first black and gold production Trans Am was offered to the public in 1976 to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Pontiac and is known as the LE or Limited Edition. The Special Edition (or SE) cars were introduced in 1977 and designated as RPO code Y82 when equipped with T-Tops and Y81 without T-Tops in 1977 and 1978. The RPO code was changed to Y84 from 1979 to 1981. While this car is not a real SE, it is painted to look like one and is equipped with some pretty nice upgrades. The car is listed here on eBay with 2 days remaining in the auction. The car is located in Rome City, Indiana and is currently bid to $39,633 although the reserve has not been met.
The SE Trans Am was an immediate hit and included gold decals, pinstriping and gold accents on the interior (dash bezel, steering wheel, etc.). It was popular with a former stuntman turned movie director named Hal Needham who saw a Special Edition 1977 Trans Am advertisement and decided to make it the focus (and really the star) of his first movie. That movie was called Smokey and the Bandit and cost $5.3 million to produce. The movie grossed $126 million at the box office and was the #2 movie in 1977 second only to Star Wars. As can be seen in the picture above, this car has the standard vinyl interior and the SE accents have been added by way of the dash bezel and the Formula steering wheel.
In 1977, there were three engine options. The base engine was an L78 400 cubic inch engine V8 engine and was rated at 180 horsepower. The base engine in California was the L80 403 cubic inch V8 Oldsmobile engine that delivered 185 horsepower. The performance option for 1977 was the W72 400 cubic inch V8 engine (as equipped in this car). It was factory rated at 200 horsepower in 1977 and 220 horsepower due to improved exhaust in 1978 and 1979. The W72 engine was a unique performance engine and was equipped with a 800 cfm 4 barrel Rochester carburetor, high capacity 60 psi oil pump, special cam, baffled oil pan, special piston rings and 6X heads with 8:1 compression. This engine has Vintage Air added and an aluminum intake manifold. It is backed by a 4 speed manual transmission.
The underside looks nice and has been painted gloss black. Originally, the undercarriage would have been a dull red primer. Several upgrades including 4 wheel disc brakes (not available until 1979), electronic fuel injection and 17 inch snowflake wheels have been added.This car looks the part and, if you are not into authenticity, it would make a great grand touring car for the open road.
“For the good old American life, for the money, for the glory, and for the fun . . .mostly for the money.”
“When we get home, the first thing I am gonna do is punch your momma in the mouth.”
” There is no way, no way you came from my loins.”
” I need a speedy car. Speedier than that.”
“Hey, Loni, make me a sandwich!”
Look at the ebay listing for some other cars in this collection that are being sold. – “1973 Trans Am 455 4 speed Red, 1977 Trans Am Y82 400 Bandit AT car, 1979 Trans Am Y82 1 owner 400 4 Speed 1 of 1107 every made comes with 2 engines including the numbers match 400, 1974 455 Super Duty numbers match, 1969 GTX 440 4 speed restoration started, 1972 Trans Am Clone Special Edition, 1979 Atlantis Blue Trans Am T top 56k original miles unrestored survivor. “
“Give me a Diablo Sandwich and a Doctor Pepper!
40k for this one or 40k for a new car. This one for sure. The new “ sports cars” of the big three have been on the boring side for quite some time now. Sorry big three – build me something special, and maybe I’ll get excited. Pontiac used to build excitement and “Unique”. Now it’s just the same, year after year. I’ll definitely take this one. Great article. Good luck to everyone.