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Rare 400/4-Speed: 1976 Pontiac Trans Am

This Cameo White 1976 Pontiac Trans Am is drawing strong attention here on eBay. The Trans Am is equipped with a 400 cubic inch V8 engine backed by a 4-speed transmission. There are two days remaining in the auction and the bidding has reached $23,100. The Trans Am is located in Mount Vernon, Washington.

The black deluxe interior looks immaculate. The car has power steering and power brakes but no air conditioning or power windows. The seller is a dealer and says the paint is older but the correct factory color. The car is said to run and drive like new. My brother had a 400 cubic inch V8 Trans Am in high school and college that was practically new. It was this color combination but an automatic transmission. The red, gray and black hood bird makes a great contrast and the car looked better in person than in pictures.

Trans Am buyers had the option of two engines in 1976. While other car manufacturers were cancelling their performance cars and reducing their engine size, Pontiac was still offering what it could and still meet emission requirements. The base engine was the L78 400 cubic inch V8 engine that was rated at 180 horsepower and 320 lb ft of torque. Most Trans Ams came with this engine in 1976 but this one was ordered with a 4 speed. The optional engine in 1976 was the Pontiac L75 455 cubic inch V8 motor. It was rated from the factory at 200 horsepower and 330 lb ft of torque. It was offered with a 4 speed transmission and 3:23 geared rear end ratio. This was the last year for the 455 cubic inch V8 engine in a Pontiac.

The seller states that the car has not squeaks or rattles. This was the first year that T-Tops were offered on a Trans Am and only on the Limited Edition model. Hurst made the T-Tops and they had lots of problems with them leaking so the option was not offered for the second half of the production year in 1976. This looks to be a fine example of a fun car to drive.

Comments

  1. Avatar Classic Steel

    I luv the four speed, color and interior.

    Needs bored out and 3” cat back exhaust (forget the headers…)

    A fave late 70s car !

    Like 2
  2. Avatar Steveareeno

    Wow. This one brings back a lot of memories. Back in the 80’s, my late brother had the twin to this car. Same color combo inside and out, same drivetrain, but with AC. His had the “honeycomb” wheels that he swapped for “hurricanes”. He, my other brother dad and uncle rebuilt the 400, overbored, balanced, increased compression (earlier 388 heads, iirc) aftermarket crane cam, headers aluminum intake a big 750 holley dp carb. Ran like a scalded ape, as they say. I was about 12/13 yo but he taught me how to drive a stick in it. He sold it to our cousins husband for what was supposed to be thei son’s first car. By the time they got home with it, he had decided it was too much car for a teen driver. This was coming from a guy who had a tri-power 427 67 vette when new, so he would know

    Like 5
  3. Avatar Doug Jeffries

    I had a 76 Trans Am that I ordered as a wedding present to myself. I ordered a black over black, 400 4 speed with the honeycomb wheels. Had them leave the hood decal off at the factory. Very fun car to drive. Wish I still owned it.

    Like 2
  4. Avatar Cav427

    Wow, 35 years ago these were considered a joke. “Disco” Trans Am, among other slurs against these. Seen many with slapper bars, overloaded with air shocks, rusted out quarters. Now I look at these and wish I had one…

    Like 3
    • Avatar Cav427

      Worth mentioning, I had seen one with KMart air shocks that hit a bump and the airshock tore through the mount.

      Like 0
  5. Avatar Jack

    Love this… too bad no AC. Too hot in the midwest to drive without.

    The cigarette burns on the center console give it some charm… LOL

    Like 3
  6. Avatar Robbie R.

    This particular paint/decal color combo was the same for 76-77 with the exception of hood scoop callout. This one has the 77 decal pack instead of 76 (should say “400” instead of TA 6.6, which actually indicates the higher HP optional engine for 77). Sure, it’s relatively easy fix and probably a bit nit-picky to even mention. However if this car is being represented as original style or investment grade, it should be more period correct.

    Like 2
  7. Avatar Old beach guy

    Clutch pedal raises a question. Is this a change over?

    Like 0
  8. Avatar JIM LOCKARD

    I have had many cars in my 55 trips around the sun but my 1976 Black TA with the same drive train was one of my favorites. Love this car. That 4 speed transmission is a riot. Brings back lots of great memories.

    Like 2

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