Automotively, there seemed to be little to get excited about in 1977. Manufacturers focused on safety regulation compliance and devising strategies to squeeze power from engines hampered by emission regulations. Pontiac, always a company viewing itself as the performance marque within the General Motors empire, launched the Can Am in 1977. Conceived as a limited-edition model, the production run fell far below expectations due to bizarre circumstances. This Can Am is a survivor that presents exceptionally well. The seller’s decision to treat its 400ci V8 to a rebuild means it is a turnkey proposition with no mechanical needs. I must say a big thank you to Barn Finder JDC for spotting the Pontiac listed here on Craigslist in North Ridgeville, Ohio. The seller set their price at $42,500 for this rare, stunning classic.
Collaborations are not a rare occurrence in the automotive world, and joint ventures often produce vehicles that become classics. Pontiac wished to inject excitement into its 1977 LeMans range, offering an alternative to buyers who required more interior space than the Trans Am provided. It devised the Can Am program, planning a production run of 2,500 vehicles. Complete examples of the LeMans Colonnade Coupe left the factory, all finished in Cameo White. Their destination was Jim Wangers’ Motorworld facility, where cars received the Trans Am hood scoop, a rear spoiler, and unique tri-tone stripes and graphics. Most Can Ams rolled on White Rally II wheels, although some buyers ordered theirs with the Trans Ams Snowflake alloys. This Can Am is an absolute gem, with no cosmetic issues or shortcomings. The paint shines beautifully, the panels are as straight as an arrow, and I can’t spot any evidence of rust. The seller doesn’t mention a restoration history. Therefore, if this Pontiac is a survivor, it has led a very sheltered life.
Pontiac may have adopted a “one size fits all” policy for the Can Am’s exterior paint and stripes, but the interior was open slather. Basically, any trim color, combination, or factory option offered on other LeMans variants could be added to the Can Am. This car features Red vinyl trim with air conditioning, bucket seats, a tilt wheel, and an AM/FM radio. Many buyers ticked the boxes for a center console and a floor shifter, although this car features neither. As with the exterior, the interior is spotless. There is no wear on the vinyl or carpet, the dash is excellent, and the only visible addition is the aftermarket console. The faux woodgrain isn’t faded or lifting, and the gauges sport clear lenses and crisp markings.
Most buyers ordering a 1977 Can Am received the W72 version of the company’s 400ci V8 under the hood, although those cars destined for California received the “Olds” 403ci powerplant. There was no manual transmission option, and the combination of a three-speed automatic, power steering, and power brakes offered a relaxed and effortless driving experience. The seller indicates they recently treated this car’s numbers-matching 400 to a rebuild, meaning it should go close to producing the 200hp and 325 ft/lbs of torque quoted by Pontiac. They added a Flowmaster exhaust, which should bless the V8 with a deep, purposeful note. Although it isn’t stated specifically, I would expect any Can Am within this price range to be a turnkey proposition with no mechanical issues.
The quote, “The best laid plans of mice and men,” could easily apply to the 1977 Pontiac Can Am. The plan was for 2,500 of these classics to hit the market, although Pontiac received 5,000 firm orders when it announced production. However, one of those bizarre situations occurred that forced production to end when only 1,377 Can Ams had left the factory. The mold Motortown used to produce the rear spoiler broke, and without a spare, the proceedings ground to a halt. Pontiac management raised concerns that the Can Am would siphon sales from the Grand Prix, and took the opportunity to cancel the program before production reached its goal. Therefore, the 1977 Can Am became far rarer than originally envisaged, and pristine examples now command impressive prices. The seller’s figure for this car is realistic, and although it has been on the market for over three weeks, I believe that it will find a new home. Do you agree?
I think this is the nicest Can Am I’ve seen in decades. Absolutely stunning!!! The first thing I looked at was that rear wing. By 1977 this was about as hot a Colonnade you could get with that Pontiac 400. I was a little surprised at the lack of a console and floor shifter myself, but quite frankly, if I had the money and was wanting one of these, it wouldn’t deter me one bit. They always say find the nicest one you can find this just may be it. Great write up Adam!!! I enjoyed it.
I agree with Driveinstile on the condition, and I agree it is rare to see these without the buckets & console but it doesn’t bother me, lets the honey get closer. The price however seems astronomical for a Colonnade GM from the malaise error. I think closer to $30k would be reasonable.
In this market, probably low 20s to actually move it, but it certainly is a nice example of one of these.
The last time I checked they weren’t making any more of these so the price he is asking is fair. I think the sky is the limit on the Can Am. I think there are maybe five hundred left out of the 1,377 produced. Pontiacs are rising in value much like the Mopar brand.
In 1973 Pontiac made their best colonnade; the grand am 400/4speed. A 455 automatic was available too. These can ams fall short but were done in Pontiac last gasp form-they gave it all they had.
Looks more like a Canned Ham to me. That spoiler detracts from the Colonnade’s normally good looks and the rest is mainly decal packaging. No way will this go for $42k, even with the hood scoop, it still has the malaise era’s version of a “performance” engine.
If someone can ask 35k for a ’79 301 T/A, then this ask doesn’t seem that out of line.
Everyone is shooting for the moon lately and I’m guessing that they are willing to hold onto their stuff for awhile.
it’s a beauty for sure. like i always said it’s the family man’s Trans-Am
Only saw one of these that I can recall from way back then. Sat on a side street about a block or so from Thomas market on St. Joe Avenue. I really wanted one back then and still do, same problem today as it was then, don’t have the funding. Also have other things I need more than a car like this. But it would still be cool to have one. Didn’t seem like that long ago you could still get a nice one for under 20K
Stunning looking Cam Am. It’s the best i seen in a long while. I notice the AC belt is missing. For $42,500.00 i want everything working. $34,000.00 is a better price. Otherwise good luck to the seller. 🇺🇸🐻
Click on the pics in …
https://www.facebook.com/MusclecarFilms/posts/1974-grand-am-all-american-was-a-pontiac-proposal-that-was-met-with-enthusiasm-a/993962556095644/
Hmmmm, buckets, and yet a column shift automatic? That alone has to be a rare combo! A good friend owns one with white buckets on that red interior—a strange combo I wouldn’t have ordered. It looks like the seats were stolen from some other car! This one is clean, and will probably sell quickly. GLWTA!
I was shocked to see no console or floor shifter. It’s a very nice looking car but $42K worth? GLWYA.
Met a guy in the mid 80s that had one for sale, it was sitting in his backyard, engine was knocking n he wanted $500 for it, I passed because I couldn’t afford the repairs at the time, saw it sitting in that yard for a few years, slowly rusting away.. Same color as this one.. Kicking myself now
a le mans with a shaker hood. these seem to have acquired a cult like following. they are neat but not for 42k. i have seen these go north of that at a few in person auctions. i guess they fill the GTO void
Very nice Can Am. I do agree though with David above however, that the best Colonnade was the ‘73-‘74 Grand Am.
This is a very beautiful example of what Pontiac used to produce in the mid seventies.
I used to see a 73 Gto for sale at a salvage yard in SC.
Brown, 3 speed on the column, buckets and those window louvers, no spoiler
It really needs the console and floor shift shifter. But this car is really nice. Values on these the last couple of years has really jumped helped a lot by a couple of over achievers on National Auctions but that does tell you what they are worth. And as someone said it was not very long ago these were $20K cars. Not today.
I used to see one of these at the all GM car show at the Mn. State Fair grounds in St. Paul. The one I saw had a black interior with the console & automatic. Until this one, that was the nicest one I’d seen. Sound like Nixon, ” let me say this about that, my fellow American.”
I’d have found a color matching center console; the black looks a little out of place imo.
It’s a great looking car,it’s all there. The problem is no weasor will ever be worth that kind of money. Not a hater good luck.
If the seller used the optimistic Hagerty Pricing Guide, then they split the difference between a #3 Good and #2 Excellent to come up with their asking price.
Believe it or not, a #1 is priced at $67,800.
I thought W72 engines came with chrome valve covers? Or was that only theTrans Am?
In ’77 I was in the market for a Grand Am but somehow it got discontinued in favor of this for that year only. The Grand Am was back in full battle regalia for ’78. If I had opted for this in ’77 it might’ve been a better choice as the A-bodies got shrunk for ’78 and you were limited to a 301, which wasn’t bad but sure wasn’t a 400. I got a ’78 Gand Am, and while it was a good car, I preferred this body style. But I sure wouldn’t kick this off my driveway…
I bought one last year and absolutely love it.
Inspired by the ’74 All American Grand Am show car – not sure if still exists …
https://images-stag.jazelc.com/uploads/theautopian-m2en/all-american-3-9_9-1536×783.jpg
&
https://images-stag.jazelc.com/uploads/theautopian-m2en/all-american-9_9-scaled.jpg
Thanks Adam and the other BF writers for imparting so much information about all these cool cars on this site. Every time it’s a learning experience! Thanks!
Love the Can-Ams!
Nice write up on an unusual car! I had only seen one of these in my life time until I saw one at Spring Carlisle 6 years ago, and bought it! Not nearly as mint as this one but its numbers matching and all there. Unusual tan interior too! PHS documentation as well. What alot of people forget is that like alot of the Malaise era cars, most were used, abused and left as parts cars if not totally scrapped. So of the original 1377 produced, how many are left? I’ve run across many parts cars. Most way too far gone to save. I agree on the price being a bit high but if someone wants one bad enough and has the money, it will be sold. The W72 engine actually moves this heavy car quite nicely. The GM Colenade cars all rode and drove real nice too. The question I have? What about the remainder of the W72 equipped Lemans Sport Coupes that never got converted to Can Ams?
Correct me if I am wrong but, weren’t all of these single-exhaust cars from the factory? The splitters look great, though. Big question is, does it have a Safe-T-Track rear differential? I would like to see the build sheet or PHS docs for this car. I think it is priced appropriately for the condition.
I believe all GM cars from ’75-79 used one big flat pancake restrictive cat converter. The Macho TA got 2 cats, but not sure if those were aftmkt or GM – would love to see the original underside of 1 of those cars.
Not sure if CARB would allow you to register the latter in Calif.
My thought to about the exhaust too. This is a very Clean Pontiac here.
I lived in a small town in Nebraska and was 16 when these came out. I think I had seen a Pontiac ad for them in Hot Rod or CarCraft. I worked at a gas station on I-80 and finally saw one when it pulled in for a fill up. I couldn’t stop drooling on it. The owner was nice and showed me all the details of the car. The next fall, we had an away football game in another small town and there was another Can Am sitting up by the H.S. It was still in town three years later and still looked great, especially for a town with only one paved street. Later, after college, I went back there and drove around the town hoping to find it, but no luck. 😪
Not at that price or any price within $15,000. Incidentally, if I were looking for one of these, I would keep looking until I found one with the proper interior. A gear selector (not a gearshift) on the steering column is grandpa in a cardigan. No pictures presented of the actual dash where you can determine if this has the gauge package. (I had a new 1974 Grand Prix J with the gauge package and that was the most perfect instrument panel I’ve ever seen, along with the Jaguar MkII’s) If not, this is just another GM 1977 A body with nice wheels, and a ridiculous price. One reason collector car prices are getting out of hand is that sellers decide to double the price of the advertised car over its actual value and then, unfortunately, someone with no actual knowledge of what he or she is doing pays that price, and the ruination of the hobby is shifted into overdrive. Let’s hope this car gets the attention it so richly deserves.
Column shift or floor shift, really just depends on what the owner or new buyer prefers. The “nice wheels” are nothing special, just painted Pontiac steel wheel with trim rings. All Can Am’s came with the Grand Prix dash, which this one clearly has, so not really sure what you’re referring to with the gauge package comment. I would be interested in knowing, so could you explain further?