We’re no strangers to Second Generation Pontiac Trans Ams at Barn Finds, with some better than others. This 1978 example will appeal to purists as a numbers-matching survivor wearing its original paint. Its presentation is quite impressive, but there is scope for a minor, affordable improvement if the new owner wishes to enhance the appearance. I must say a big thank you to Barn Finder Curvette for spotting the Trans Am listed here on eBay in Cheswick, Pennsylvania. The solitary bid of $500 is, unsurprisingly, below the reserve. The seller also provides a BIN option of $55,995 for those wishing to bypass the auction process.
After performing a fairly significant facelift for the 1977 model year, Pontiac only performed a few minor cosmetic updates to the Firebird range for 1978. These included a revised grille and a new font style for the decals on the Trans Am. This car features those updates and presents nicely in iconic Starlight Black. The seller states that the paint is original, making its appearance particularly noteworthy if that is the case. It retains a warm shine, and any defects are relatively minor. The panels are as straight as an arrow, and the underside shots reveal no rust in the typically prone locations. It features the “Screaming Chicken” on the hood, and like the remaining decals, it looks impressively crisp. The first owner ordered the car with a T-Top, and since it is a Fisher Top, this confirms that the Trans Am left the factory later in the model year, after the company transitioned from the original Hurst T-Top. The tinted glass looks clear, and the Snowflake wheels are excellent.
Many readers will welcome the news that lifting the Trans Am’s hood will reveal Pontiac’s 400ci V8. The first owner teamed that motor with a three-speed Hydramatic transmission, a Safe-T-Track rear end, power steering, and power front disc brakes. Those considering the investment potential of this Trans Am will welcome the news that it is numbers-matching. The listing indicates an odometer reading of 44,300 miles. While the seller doesn’t mention any verification, the fact that this survivor spent decades with its original owner might mean the sale includes Service Records as documentation. There is PHS paperwork, and the original Window Sticker, and potential buyers will undoubtedly welcome both items. Otherwise, the buyer will slip behind the wheel of a classic that is a turnkey proposition.
The first owner obviously craved a comfortable motoring experience, loading this Trans Am’s interior with desirable factory options. The buyer receives air conditioning, power windows, “Custom” velour trim, cruise control, a remote trunk release, a tilt wheel, and a Delco AM/FM stereo radio/8-track player. The seller confirms that the A/C doesn’t blow cold, which appears to be the only functional issue. The seats look remarkably good for their age, seemingly supporting the seller’s mileage claim. The remaining upholstered surfaces are equally impressive, and there are no issues with the dash or pad. If I were to mark the interior harshly, I would note that the carpet exhibits wear and fading. It is comfortably acceptable for a survivor-grade vehicle, although some potential buyers might consider spending around $220 on a carpet set to improve the appearance. Beyond that, the interior needs nothing.
Although it isn’t perfect, this 1978 Pontiac Trans Am is a wonderful survivor deserving respect. Its condition tells the story of a classic that has been cherished throughout its life. It has avoided the scourge of aftermarket additions, and its rust-free state and mechanical good health should provide the new owner with years of motoring joy. The seller’s BIN is at the top end of the market, but it isn’t unprecedented. I hope that it heads to a new home with someone who will continue to treat it respectfully. If that person is a Barn Finds reader, it is guaranteed.
🎶🎸 Eastbound and down, loaded up and truckin’! 🎥🎶
$56k. Man, these things used to be attainable by high-school kids, hopped up and driven into the ground. I guess enough of them got discarded, that they’re a rare commodity now.
The dealer selling this car set an unrealistically high price. They’ve been featured on this site multiple times, they usually run around 80 listings at a time, over the last 90 days they’ve sold a grand total of 1 car through eBay. Dealers don’t set market value, neither do auctions, there are plenty of cars at substantially lower prices available for people that put in the work to find them, the best place, as always is still through word of mouth.
These will never again be affordable to high school kids, but there are plenty of later model performance cars that are.
Steve R
Smoggy And The Bandito episodes ruined a lot of these cars, so there’s that. But this one is still wayyy overpriced. For what they’re asking, you’d think the seller would throw in a new carpet.
Only thing that could make this TA better is a four speed manual transmission. Beautiful car.
John
boy that is a strong asking #.
Too strong. Although a sharp car w low mileage, not the high HP engine. Also not a SE car, just a regular black car. Probably a 30-40k car at max.
The chicken on the hood adds $20k to the “value”. Now if this was an early 70s Formula in perfect shape……
Looking at the detailed photos on the sellers website, you can see that this car is equipped with Pontiac’s “regular” 400cid engine that produced 180hp. It is not Pontiac’s “TA 6.6l” 220hp engine, just for clarification.
Seems like there used to be one in every town.
Roommate ordered a 78 Pontiac Formula new with the “custom blue velour” seats. I can honestly say they were far superior to the vinyl or leather options. Actually, held you in place better and were definitely cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter. And they looked great. He also ordered: no Formula call out sidestripe lettering, standard steering wheel, stock white wheels with chrome trim rings, no radio, 220hp motor, and AC. Was quite a good-looking car. We tinted the windows limo black, (back before tinting laws) and tossed the cats. Those were the days my friends, we thought they would never end.
Didnt the standard steering wheel also change the dash panel to fake woodgrain instead of the machine turned metal? Wouldnt be my choice but to each their own. I like the idea of the side lettering delete though. I had a 79 formula in black with the grey and gold trim. Would have loved to have it in all black. (With functional hood scoops but that would be dreaming) California car with the anemic SBC 305, the saving grace of that is SBCs with horsepower were plentiful and dropped right in. Paid $3500 for that car in 1983, today in good shape it would be $25k+.
56k for a not so perfect malaise era trans am just because of Smokey and the bandit? It’s not even the same type of car.
That’s insane, but real insanity would be anyone paying north of 35k for it.
Note the 15×7 (vs 15×8) wheels. So this is also not a WS6 package car. Along with the standard 180hp engine, AC thats been neglected meaning the whole system needs replacing (and who is driving a black/black car in the summer with no AC?) this is definitely not a $55k car.
Insane asking price for a car that isn’t all that special. Boring automatic, blah, blah, blah. Never buy from a dealer. I know. I work for one. It is beyond any logical thinking the nonsense and fees I see where I work. People driving away with an $1,300 a month car payment for 84 months. Pontiac built tens of thousands of these in 1978, I used to look at them new on the lot of the local Pontiac dealer in State College, PA, when I was attending PSU. They were about $7,000 new, plenty of coin for a poor college student. Truth be told, yes, they are very popular today and sell for much more than many 70s Corvettes, but the reality is nobody ever drives them, at least I don’t see them on the roads, just SUVs.