Compared to its natural competition, the 1978 Pontiac Trans Am offered buyers a better performance proposition than either the Camaro or the Mustang II. Every manufacturer was struggling with tightening emission regulations, but it seems that Pontiac was coping better than the opposition when it came to offering potential buyers a performance alternative. This 1978 Trans Am is a survivor that has been given a bit of a performance boost. It should go harder than it did when new, but the option is there for the buyer to return it to its original factory specifications. Located in Rochester, New York, the Pontiac has generated plenty of interest since it was listed for sale here on eBay. After initially opening at $5,000, thirty-two bids have pushed the price beyond its reserve to $20,350.

This Starlight Black Trans Am is a two-owner vehicle that the current owner purchased in 2006. The original owner used the car as a daily driver and accumulated 72,000 miles on the clock before parking the car in the 1990s. The current owner chanced upon it in 2006 via a dealer who was “flipping” it. It appears that the Trans Am has never undergone any form of restoration work, with its paint and panels remaining untouched from new. The panels themselves look pretty good, with nothing more severe than a few very minor marks. The paint still holds an impressive shine, although, once again, there are some marks and chips. What it appears that there is a shortage of, thankfully, is rust. I can’t spot any in the usual places like the lower rear quarter panels and around the back windows, and the owner refers to its overall condition as being of good #2 quality. The distinctive gold decals have begun to deteriorate, and even if the buyer doesn’t choose to undertake a repaint, I wouldn’t be surprised if they replace these. Adding to the Pontiac’s appeal is the original owner’s decision to order the vehicle with a T-Top. This is in excellent condition, with no evidence of any leaks or other issues that could cause headaches.

When you lifted the hood of the 1978 Trans Am, you revealed why it held an advantage over its natural competition. In this case, we find the 400ci V8 that would’ve been producing 220hp when it was shiny and new. The car also features a 3-speed Hydramatic transmission, power steering, and power brakes. Pointed at a ¼-mile, the journey would be over in 16 seconds. To place that figure into perspective, the best that you could hope to extract from an automatic ’78 Camaro Z28 was 16.8 seconds, while a Mustang II Cobra II would wander through in 17.1 seconds. You could order a Corvette that would show the Trans Am a clean set of heels, but that wasn’t seen as a direct competitor. When the owner purchased this classic, it had 72,000 miles on the clock. He accumulated a further 4,000 miles behind the wheel, and he then handed it to a specialist to have that 400 rebuilt. However, he wanted to extract improved performance, so the first port of call was to have the engine bored by 0.030″. The original cylinder heads made way for a set of Edelbrock units, along with an upgraded intake and camshaft. That got the gases into the engine more effectively, while a set of headers and a new dual exhaust should help the spent gases to exit significantly better. The owner doesn’t indicate whether he has ever had the car on a dyno to ascertain the actual difference this has made, but I’d be willing to bet that the 400 now produces significantly more than its original 220hp. Since the owner completed the work, this Pontiac has only covered a further 4,000 miles, meaning that it is barely broken in. If the buyer is worried about maintaining originality, all of the factory components that the seller removed are included in the sale. The owner says that the Trans Am runs and drives well and cruises happily on the highway at 75. He includes this YouTube video featuring 400 running, and I must say that it sounds pretty sweet.

If this Trans Am is to be considered a survivor, the interior condition will rate pretty well. Its most significant issue is some noticeable wear on the seats, but this hasn’t deteriorated into holes at this point. The remaining trim is surprisingly good for a vehicle of this age. There is no significant deterioration in any of the plastic, although a couple of the gauges will require new lenses. The dash and pad are in good order, as is the console. There is no significant wear on the carpet, while the door trims and remaining upholstered surfaces are also surprisingly good. If I were to buy this Pontiac, I would be tempted to splash some cash on a new set of seat covers. A complete set in the correct color and material would leave no change from $700, but they would lift the presentation enormously. There have been no aftermarket additions, but the interior also isn’t loaded with optional extras. The factory AM/FM radio is intact, as is the air conditioning. This doesn’t blow cold, and the owner hasn’t worried too much about it because he simply opens the T-Top on warmer days. He says that the blower motor and fan work okay, so this will require some further investigation.

If this 1978 Pontiac Trans Am is as rust-free as the listing description would seem to suggest, it could be an excellent thing to park in your driveway. I would love to slip behind the wheel because I’m pretty sure that the engine upgrades performed by the owner will have unlocked a significant amount of extra power. The Malaise Era was a miserable time for performance enthusiasts, so to be able to find a pearl from that point in history is a real treat. I don’t know if any of our readers are willing to submit a bid on this classic, but I’m willing to admit that I will envy the new owner. That’s because this Trans Am looks like it will be a blast to own and drive, and enjoyment is what the classic car ownership experience is supposed to be all about.