Hidden in this barn is a 1978 Pontiac Trans AM Gold Special Edition that proves there are still desirable classics hibernating, waiting to be liberated and returned to their former glory. The seller indicates it is a generally solid car that is complete. With the SE version proving popular and commanding impressive prices in the current market, it should be a worthy candidate for restoration. The Trans Am is listed here on eBay in Lake Worth, Florida. Bidding has passed the reserve to sit at $6,650.
The seller indicates this Trans Am has sat in its current location for over fifteen years, slowly becoming buried under mountains of oil bottles and other items. Before we delve into its overall condition, we should determine whether this is a genuine Gold Special Edition. The Cowl Tag is the first port of call and is usually stamped with the code “Y88” to denote a Gold SE. However, this is not a hard-and-fast rule because various sources confirm that not every Gold Special Edition received the stamp. The next factor to consider is the T-Top. This was a standard feature on the SE, but it is another item that confuses some enthusiasts. Pontiac transitioned from the Hurst unit to the Fisher version in 1978, and the difference between the pair was significant. This car has a Fisher Top, indicating that it rolled off the line in the second half of 1978. Buyers could only order their Gold SE between December 1977 and February 1978. Common sense dictates that all examples should feature the Hurst Top, but with actual production running from January 1978 until the end of the model year, some have been found featuring the later T-Top version. It wears the correct Code 50 Solar Gold paint, but once Pontiac stopped taking orders for the SE, that shade became part of the standard Trans Am color palette. There are other interior features that we will cover shortly, but the indications are that the only way to confirm this classic’s authenticity would be by locating its original Build Sheet. The car’s paint is tired, although the panels are straight, and the seller indicates the rust is minimal. No significant issues show in the supplied photos, suggesting that whipping the body into shape may not be complicated or expensive. The glass looks good for its age, but this Trans Am is missing its original 15 x 8 wheels that were part of the WS6 pack fitted to this car.
This Trans Am features the company’s 400ci V8 under the hood, but I’m unsure which version it is. Therefore, the original owner would have had either 180hp or 220hp under their right foot. Its power fed through a three-speed automatic transmission to the rear wheels, with the original owner selecting power steering, power brakes, and the WS6 suspension package. The engine appears complete, but its scoop is sitting on the roof. It is unclear whether the car is numbers-matching or when it last ran. It has probably not fired a shot since it was parked, meaning the winning bidder faces some thorough checking before coaxing the V8 back to life. If they are lucky, some essential maintenance and some tinkering and cleaning of the fuel system might be all that’s required to have the V8 bellowing once again.
The confusion over the Y88 package continues when we assess this Trans Am’s interior. It features the correct interior trim material and color, with the same true of the wheel and steering column. However, the gauge fascia appears to be the standard silver machine-turned item, which should be gold. It may have “bleached” due to the camera flash, and only an in-person inspection would reveal the truth. The starting point with this aspect of the restoration would be to treat everything to a deep clean. The state of the upholstered surfaces is unknown, but the dash and pad look okay. The car features what appears to be the optional radio/cassette player, with the original owner adding air conditioning, power windows, a tilt wheel, and a rear defogger.
Although values for standard 1978 Pontiac Tran Ams have softened recently, the SE remains one of the classic market heroes. Other variants have dropped by up to 10% in the past year, but the SE has soared by around 15%. It means that if this ’78 Trans Am is confirmed as the rear deal, its potential value, once restored, could be double its more humble sibling. It needs work to recapture its lost youth, but if the bidding remains within shouting distance of the current figure, that leaves room to move on a restoration that could produce a classic easily commanding a value north of $50,000. With those thoughts in mind, are you up for this challenge?
While there are many who desire a Firebird like this one, it wouldn’t be the car for me if I wanted one. The owner didn’t take care of the car while it was in storage for 15 years, so I doubt he took care of it while it was on the road. On top of that, the seller should have dragged the car out of the garage and cleaned it up. He’d have a better chance of selling it and likely for a better price. I just don’t understand why folks don’t put a little effort into selling a barnfind classic.
Wouldn’t Pontiac Historical Services be able to clear up the “is it or isn’t it a Y88” mystery?
Short answer, yes
Some Solar Gold SE have the cowl tag stamped as Y88, others don’t. The build sheet will have a Y88 call out on it. If you don’t have the build sheet then yes, Pontiac Historical Services is where you can go to find out if it is a Special Edition.
“ I just don’t understand why folks don’t put a little effort into selling a barnfind classic. “
A valid question and one that has been a puzzlement to a lot of us.
Possibilities:
1) It’s their way of keeping it safe from being stolen.
2) It’s their way of hiding truths and/or faults.
3) It’s their way, because they’re just lazy and think it’s so valuable prospective buyers will take the trash/garbage with them when they get the car.
Or possibly aged and disabled.
….or they really don’t want to sell it it’s their wife that wants it gone which in this case probably isn’t the case. Looks like this is sitting g in some kind of former repair shop or their storage area.
All the aged and disabled folks we help out here in our community have more pride than what’s shown here-even the hoarders are neater than this seller.
This shed looks like the dumping ground of a lazy painter-though the 3 gallon jugs of NAPA coolant should cause some concern regarding the condition of the engine.
In one of the pics it looks like either the edge or rocker is rotted towards the front on the drivers side.This car is gonna need a lot of everything to get it safe and roadworthy.I wouldn’t buy it without a thorough inspection.Could be a lot of surprises you find the sellers terrible pics are hiding.Neat car.I remeber working on quite a few of these.Always had worn out door hinge pins from the weight of the long door.Glwts.
When your car becomes a work/storage bench,it’s time to sell
What are the snaps along the t-tops, looks like something off a boat?
Maybe the t-tops leaked like hell (as many of these cars do) and someone installed homemade removable vinyl tops which were fastened by those snaps. I saw the exact same poorly made “remedy” here in Puerto Rico, on a similar car. Don’t know if that solved the leaking issues… but the car looked ugly as hell with them.
“This Trans Am features the company’s 400ci V8 under the hood, but I’m unsure which version it is.”
Well, this is the VIN: 2 W 87 Z 8 L 161250
Fifth digit is for the engine: Z = 400 CI V8
this is the 7.7:1 compression ratio, 180 HP @ 3600 rpm, 325 lb-ft @ 1600 rpm V8 engine with Rochester M4MC.
If the engine has never been opened up you can tell a T/A 6.6 by the valve covers as they come stock with a cheap looking set of chrome ones.
I’ve never seen a definitive breakdown between the L78 and the W72 for ’78. 2,692 manual T/As were built (all W72s) and 70,590 automatics between the L78 and W72. I will guess the vast majority are the former, like this car. There were 8,969 L80 403 cars.
Bidding is over 8k now. I just don’t see the appeal here. L78, automatic, poor storage (obviously), and a lot of questions about rust and condition. You can get a mint ’78 for what, 30k? You’ll be over that here even if there are no hidden demons. I don’t get it. But to each their own!
Indiana license plate – county number 45…. Lake County. One of the snowiest of the snow belt counties…
Beware of salt induced rust!
That plate is from the mid 80’s. Combine that with the rampant crime in Lake County back then, I would have someone run the vin to make sure it wasn’t stolen.
VIN = 2W87Z8L161250
I did a CarFax check: not stolen.
So, now you will buy it?
Car seems to be missing the TRANS AM lettering on the rear spoiler and front fenders, and is also missing the bird decals on the sail panels. but it does have some incorrect pin striping. A repaint at some point?
Here is the same seller’s other TransAm.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/145047878766
Impossible to believe that it is in worse condition than this one,
This is down right laziness and absolutely no respect for an automobile. This makes me sick just to look at it.
My 76 came with this same engine.180hp is just anemic.the key with these is putting on 72cc heads using 1967-70 heads.with flat top pistons will give you about 10:25 to 10:5 to 1 compreesion.use a non egr manifold and early 455 carb,and a cam with the “ram air”profile and long tube headers.will get you 300+hp and on 93 octane pump gas.
That is a Lake County Indiana liscense plate. The 45 denotes lake county. We are at the tip of Lake Michigan, and every car is rotted to the gills here, I’d fly down and take a serious look if I was interested.
Having owned several later 2nd Gen. T/A’s, 2 Formula’s as well as several Firebirds… I never really cared for the Gold SE cars (or for the 10th Anny’s either. Just too gaudy to me. Now, my wife on the other hand – she owned a Gold SE after we split in H.S. & later had to sell it to pay the rent when her illustrious (now ex) husband spent the rent money. She’s always regretted it too! 20 years later we got back together & ironically enough, I owned a Martinique Blue 78 T/A at the time. That one’s long gone now. Some days, I wouldn’t mind another one!
What Fordguy1972 said.
Mid ’80s Indiana plate, and it looks like it’s been in the Upside-Down.