Performance cars from the late 1970s were mere shadows of the fire-breathing monsters many had been at the decade’s commencement. No car was immune from the iron fist of evolving emission regulations, although Pontiac worked to maintain its position as the performance marque in the General Motors empire. The 1976 Pontiac Trans Am was a perfect example of that thinking, with these cars retaining large-capacity V8s in an era when others were dropping them in favor of smaller motors. This Trans Am is a one-owner survivor with 64,000 miles on the clock. It runs and drives beautifully, retaining the hallmarks of a classic that has always been treated respectfully. It is a turnkey proposition for its new owner, and the next trip it makes could be from Monroe Center, Illinois, to your driveway. The Pontiac is listed here on eBay, and while bidding sits at $21,300, that figure is below the reserve.

Pontiac came within a hair’s breadth of discontinuing the Firebird in 1972 due to ongoing industrial action. It wisely chose to continue production, which brought continuous sales records for the rest of the decade. This Trans Am is 1-of-46,704 to roll off the line in 1976, an increase of 66% compared to the previous year’s record. It presents superbly in Starlight Black with Gold decals. The seller indicates the exterior is totally original, and although the steel appears laser-straight, the paint sports minor chips, confirming it isn’t a trailer queen. The imperfections aren’t bad, and preserving this beauty is a viable option that would allow it to continue commanding respect. The decals look surprisingly crisp for their age, with no shrinkage or checking. However, this car’s ace is visible below the surface. The underside shots confirm it is rust-free, with only occasional minor traces of surface corrosion. The spotless Honeycomb wheels are wrapped in new Cooper Cobra tires, and the tinted glass looks flawless.

The Trans Am’s interior brings more positive news. The Black Deluxe vinyl upholstered surfaces exhibit no evidence of damage or abuse, with only some minor stretching on the driver’s seat as proof that this car has seen active service as its creators intended. The carpet would benefit from professional cleaning, but those are the only items worth criticizing. The dash and pad look perfect, the machine-turned gauge fascia is flawless, and damage-prone areas like the console lid are excellent. There is no crumbling plastic or signs of UV deterioration. The interior features a more modern Kenwood radio/cassette player, but the seller includes the factory radio for those craving originality. The new owner doesn’t receive power windows or locks, but the ice-cold air conditioning, cruise control, and tilt wheel are nice touches.

The original owner ordered this Tran Am with the 400ci V8, producing 185hp and 310 ft/lbs of torque. They teamed this with a three-speed automatic transmission, adding power assistance for the steering and brakes. The 455/four-speed was the more potent package, but this car makes all the right noises when the “loud” pedal is pressed and will cruise effortlessly at freeway speed. That should satisfy most owners unconcerned about winning the next “Traffic Light Grand Prix.” The seller claims this Pontiac has 64,000 genuine miles on the clock, and although they don’t mention verifying evidence, the ownership history suggests it may exist. Potential buyers can consider this a turnkey proposition that runs and drives perfectly. The seller supplies this YouTube video in support. The V8 sounds sweet and crisp, the car rolls along the road nicely, and there are no signs of significant annoying rattles or squeaks.

I have always liked the styling of the 1976 Trans Am, and this car ticks the boxes for me. Pontiac has joined the growing list of manufacturers that have been like Elvis and have left the building. There is no evidence that General Motors plans a revival, meaning that preserving classics of this caliber has become imperative. Otherwise, future generations will be unable to appreciate the diversity of marques and models that our generation has been fortunate enough to experience first-hand. A picture might be worth a thousand words, but they are a poor substitute for viewing one of these classics in the flesh. Are you willing to accept that challenge? I wish you luck if you do.