The second generation Firebird ran from 1970 to 1981. Pontiac offered several different front and rear designs over that time period. The 1976 front end was a unique one year only offering and one of my favorites. That was probably because my older brother, Paul, came home one day in a mint 1976 Tran Am in the early 1980’s. That car had a profound impact on me as I sat in the passenger seat watching the hood scoop shake back and forth. This Firethorn Red (Code 36) Trans Am is located in Cathlamet, Oregon near Portland. The car is listed here on Craigslist. We appreciate TJ sending us this listing. The ad is a week old and the seller is asking $25,000.
This example also has a Firethorn Red deluxe interior which came with upgraded seats and door panels. Firethorn was a darker red than the regular Code 75 red that was introduced for the exterior in 1973. This car has remote mirrors and an automatic transmission. It does not have air conditioning, tilt steering or power windows. The interior appears to be in great shape and the odometer is said to read 75,674 original miles. The seller purchased the car from the original owner about 10 years ago.
There are no pictures of the engine compartment in the ad. In 1976, Pontiac offered Trans Am buyers two engine options. This car is equipped with the base engine that was noted as the L78 400 cubic inch V8 (Z code) engine. It was rated at 185 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque. So while it did not have a lot of horsepower, it still had Pontiac’s signature low end torque. Buyers could order this engine with either an automatic transmission or a 4-speed transmission. The optional engine was the L75 455 cubic inch V8 (W code), which was rated at 200 horsepower and 330 lb-ft of torque. This engine was only available with the 4 speed transmission. Of note, there were actually fewer 4-speed L78 400 equipped Trans Ams built (5,424) than Trans Ams with the 455 cubic inch V8 that only was available with a 4 speed (7,528).
This car looks to be well cared for and in excellent shape. Pontiac built 46,704 Trans Ams in 1976 and, as noted, most were powered by the base engine. This car rides on factory Honeycomb wheels. The tires look to be very old. So, if you could go back to 1976, how would you order your 1976 Trans Am?
The author knows a thing or two about nice Pontiacs. BJ i’d probably have gone for the big gun 455 w mandatory 4sp. Believe the weight difference vs the 400 was minimal, so why not the extra cubes. 💪 This beauty is ready for the new owner to part ways w those old tires 🔥 💨
I’m right with you Stan….. a few extra buck get the 455 and a 4 speed and have a blast.
This is a great color on this Trans Am. And it has a terrific presentation too. Kind of surprised by the lack of A/C ut its not a deal breaker for me.
Thanks Stan. I owned a 1976 TA a few years ago. I have always liked the front end but, like you, opt for the bigger engine.
I agree with both comrades here, very nice and the 400 is still not a deal breaker. With that amount of mileage I’d do a rebuild of that drivetrain, adding some goodies to engine and tranny. Add Vintage air and you’re in business. I actually like that it has manual windows..
Very nice clean Trans Am. Would like to see more under hood pictures and undercarriage pictures. Other than that this one is clean inside and outside!
I wonder what the weight difference is between this car and a 1973 rubber bumper car? I prefer the 1970-1973 front end style. But I know that bumper was pretty heavy. I had a chance to get one that had been a theft recovery. All the front end sheet metal was gone. And I seriously looked at a one piece fiberglass nose. The weight savings was several hundred pounds.
Nice, clean T/A and I always liked the ’74-’76 front end with the round headlights. The 400 is just fine. Easy to make more power if needed.
But…The only “engine” pic is the emissions sticker? C’mon…
I read somewhere that James Garner (The Rockford Files) hated the front of the 1979 so much that he had the front end changed to a 1976.
Based on what you can see, this one looks very nice.
Seems reasonably priced – these aren’t getting any cheaper.
Yes, James Garner did hate the front end of the 1979s, but he kept the 78 with the twin square headlights.
Traditional round headlights over the newer rectangle, any day!
Bought pretty much the same Trans Am in1980, 2 days after I bought it, trans & rearend started making noise, I had a draft giving to me on my old car I sold & would take up to a week to clear, the dealership let me take the Trans Am & bring in the cash after the draft cleared, needless to say I brought the car back & since at the time I wasn’t legally liable for the contract because of my age(not sure how that worked, but it did), they had no choice but to take it back, I was really disappointed for the fact the 76 was my all time favorite of all Trans Am’s, but not to be.
I experience an act of nature on a level that I’ve never experienced again. I was traveling with my brother in his 1976 Trans Am on I 10 in Texas heading to Louisiana.we were cruising around 80mph when all of a sudden something swooped down on us and ran us off the interstate.l looked up and saw this huge bird flying towards the sun. It was a bird of prey. Some kinda Condor or falcon.l looked at my brother and asked what just happened? The car behind us pulled up and asked were we alright.I asked did you see that.He said yes. I asked what him what just happened.He said that bird didn’t attack us it attacked the bird painted on the hood of the car and the car being white all it saw was that Phenix traveling at a low level. Birds of prey are known to Texas Me and my brother set there for about 30 minutes gathering ourselves still in shock before moving on. But it’s the only time in my life l’ experienced nature that up close before and to this day I’m still impressed by the the speed and power of these birds.And including the bird painted on the hood of the Pontiac Trans Am.
This is a nice TA . If things were a little different I would buy this and give it to my wife for her birthday next month.
Here it is again. Well preserved example that we all would have surely ordered differently. Air, 4-speed, power windows? Apparently unnecessary. It does have a great color and good presentation and it survived for others to enjoy today.
Greg G. That is a cool story. So besides
watching out for Armadillos and Havalinas. You have to watch out for condors. When in Texas I watch for the ground inhabitants AND the crazy drivers with Mexico license plates.
Really nice car & would be interested, but I’m in FL. I need AC.
During the several years I’ve been a subscriber to Barn Finds I don’t recall seeing anyone comment on making a purchase. Today I took delivery of this car that was located 5 hours from me. Overall great condition for its age. Body/paint is a 9 of 10, interior is an 8, engine, engine bay and undercarriage are all 6 due to surface corrosion and generally crusty condition. Zero body rust and except for the power steering hose, zero fluid leaks. Came with power steering hose to replace the existing leaking one. Also Pypes 3” performance exhaust system and headers that need to be installed. Planning on polishing and ceramic coating the body, performing cosmetic interior work, and cleaning/painting the engine, engine bay and undercarriage. Planned performance mods to go along with the exhaust and headers include a mild cam and heads. I was looking for a winter project and this car fits the bill perfectly.
Congrats on the purchase! I hope all goes well wothbthe planned upgrades!