This 1978 Pontiac Trans Am has sat for twenty-five years. Therefore, it is unsurprising that its list of needs is as long as your arm…and mine, as well! It is complete and features desirable factory options that enhance its appeal. However, its shortcomings raise the question of whether the Trans Am is a viable project or destined to become a donor for other builds. The seller has listed the Pontiac here on eBay in Bristol, Pennsylvania. Bidding sits at $1,131 in a No Reserve auction.
The story of this Trans Am is interesting. The listing suggests that the seller is only its third owner. The second owner’s father purchased it for her in 1979, updating the car to deliver improved performance and comfort. It hasn’t fired a shot in anger for twenty-five years, and the seller is candid about its needs. The tired Brown Metallic paint is the least of its problems, because there is extensive rust that requires urgent attention before the buyer points the Trans Am at the road. The seller states that the floor on the driver’s side is pretty sound, but things rapidly deteriorate from there. Areas requiring attention include the remaining floors, the deck lid panel where the trunk hinges mount, the front and rear nose mounts, the bottoms of both door skins, and the driver’s side fender. Replacement steel is readily available to eliminate these problems. Still, anyone considering returning this Pontiac to its former glory would have no choice but to adopt a nut-and-bolt approach. The glass T-Top is an interesting touch, and the seller confirms that the panels have never been removed. The lack of interior moisture damage suggests that the seals are okay. The remaining tinted glass looks quite good, but any refurbishment will include replacing the rusty aftermarket wheels.
Delving below the surface reveals that this Trans Am is a mystery machine. The seller confirms that it features a 400ci V8, a four-speed manual transmission, power steering, and power front disc brakes. If this Pontiac were original, the V8 would have delivered a factory-quoted 220hp and 320 ft/lbs of torque. However, if this motor started life, as claimed, in a 1971 GTO, those figures should climb to around 300hp and 400 ft/lbs, according to that year’s GTO Sales Brochure. The engine block code initially makes the claim seem plausible, although it is worth noting that the code was common on the 400 until the end of 1974. Drilling down further via the engine stamp raises questions because it indicates that this motor is 1973-vintage and produced 230hp when new. Whatever the truth, it is worth noting that the Trans Am doesn’t run or drive. Worse still, the seller confirms that the V8 is locked. Whether it is beyond salvation is unclear, but Job One might be pulling the plugs and adding some Mystery Oil to see if the new owner can make the motor spin.
The list of tasks facing the buyer increases the longer we scrutinize the listing images. The interior, trimmed in Brown vinyl, requires a complete retrim. The seatcovers are split, the carpet is tired, and the dashpad is badly cracked. The wheel is well past its use-by date, and the factory radio has vacated the premises as an aftermarket radio/cassette player occupies its rightful spot in the dash. Once again, it is sad to see so much deterioration, especially considering the list of factory options. The first owner ordered the Trans Am with air conditioning, power windows, a power antenna, a tilt wheel, and a rear defogger.
This 1978 Pontiac Trans Am has fallen upon hard times. That is a shame, because it is a three-owner classic that would have felt pretty special in its prime. The auction action has been quite spirited, suggesting that people see something worthwhile in this poor Pontiac. Perhaps it is the lure of a No Reserve auction that has proven irresistible. That brings me back to my original question. Do you believe that someone will revive this Trans Am, or will it surrender its useable components to other builds? I hate the thought of that happening, but if one classic is sacrificed to save several others, it’s a sacrifice worth making.
Purchase it as if it’s a parts car, then hope it’s more of a project. It should make a great parts car if it isn’t worth bringing back.
Steve R