The original cost of a 1977 Pontiac Trans Am was about $8,000. Today, prices for the rotisserie restored and low mile Special Edition Trans Ams exceed $100,000. This 1977 Pontiac Trans Am has a long way to go before it makes it to that level. In fact, this car might not rank as a #4 car in most price guides. It is located out in the woods in Pea Ridge, Arkansas. It is listed for sale here on FaceBook Marketplace for $3,900. The Trans Am has been listed for 4 days and is still available. Maybe this car was left behind during the filming of Smokey and the Bandit!
The seller states that it is numbers matching 400 small block engine. Of course, Pontiac enthusiasts know that Pontiac engines don’t classify as small block and big block. All the blocks are the same external dimensions from a 326 cid to a 455 cid engine, just the bore and stroke are different. This makes it easy to transfer heads, intakes and exhaust manifolds between Pontiac engines to boost performance. In 1977, the base engine was a L78 400 cubic inch engine V8 engine in 49 states rated at 180 horsepower. The base engine in California was the L80 403 cubic inch V8 Oldsmobile engine that produced 185 horsepower. The performance option for 1977 was the W72 400 cubic inch V8 engine. It was factory rated at 200 horsepower in 1977. The W72 engine was a unique performance engine and was equipped with a 800 cfm 4 barrel Rochester carburetor, high capacity 60 psi oil pump, special cam, baffled oil pan, special piston rings and 6X heads with 8:1 compression.
Just like the exterior, the interior of this car is trashed and will need replacement. based on the pics, the Trans Am is equipped with an automatic transmission and 8 track stereo player. The seats appear to be the upgraded custom interior option instead of the standard seats. Most of the body of this car is eaten away with rot and rust. The trunk is full of empty beer cans. The seller will include another body (pictured below) to help replace body panels.
Of course, popularity of Trans Ams increased in 1977 due to the release of a box office hit called Smokey and the Bandit. The movie cost $5.3 million to produce and grossed $126 million at the box office. It was #2 movie in 1977 second only to Star Wars and remains a popular movie to this day.
“Rough Rider”? More like “Rust Reaper”. Sad that anyone that had any consideration would let it go this far, but then in all fairness when they parked it they thought was “I’ll get around to it”..as we see with many of these “projects”. Eventually the realization sets in that “well maybe not but these are sold at BJ for zillions of dollars so let’s cash in”, ergo here we are.
These are one of the most recognizable because, as you noted Bruce, ‘Smokey and the Bandit’ was a hot ticket especially with The Flying Nun in the passenger seat. Be that as it may you’d need Sally Fields, Burt Reynolds and Jerry Reed to sign it and include a signed unsealed record album to bring this up to break even on the cost of making this road/sale worthy IMO.
As it sits it’s worth less than six pack of Coors-Lite, even!
I love these F-Bodies…..someone please save this Firebird T/A! 👍🤓
What is that shot your supposed to get in your muscle tissue if you get a cut from rusty metal . your going to need it I think it needs to be scrapped
Call a hazmat team to clean out the car and disinfect the interior. I’ve seen better cars crushed.3900 nahhhh.
U are not getting 100 k for that car restored !! 😳
Don’t understand how car owners let their cars deteriorate to this level and then expect to get almost $4,000 for it.
Why wait till it’s a POS to sell it?
We will never know.
I knew a welder that told me,
“Once rust gets a hold of the frame, she’s done”.
Right just ahead of the rear wheels. He welded so many of these Firebirds that maybe he saved a few, depends just how bad the rust is.
Shame to see one neglected like this. (no T – roofs),
One of those
” I’ll get around to it one day ”
situations, I’ll bet.
Steve the expectation is not 4K! The expectation is potential, down the road! Regardless, of what may seem a basket case, as long as you have one of these bandit cars in storage, along with a possible parts car, you have the advantage with the market backing you, making BANK! These cars have already been cherry picked, what you currently see is what little remains on the vine. After this all gone, this car will move from 4k to 14k, as they all disappear! Consider a investment, like stock, buy low sell high. I have done very well in this market, buying rare cars in bad shape, holding and making a nice profit. Only in America!
Sounds like you might be buying this potential gold mine. I am looking forward to seeing your post after you have completed restoring this investment-grade Firebird. As you said- “Only In America!” Have fun! And if you could share some images of your other success stories that would be great.
Frank, I’m not holding my breath, lol…and, Danny, this is not a Y72 SE aka “Bandit” Trans Am.
Another case of IGFISD. “I’m Gonna Fix It Some Day”
Everyone says that. But now look what We have here.
WOW, when there is not even enough metal to hold up the trunk gasket seal you know the rust is pretty bad. The beer can visible where the curve of the fender should be hiding it is also a big clue.
This car should be in the Mom and Uncle Dad family reunion car show/parade.
400 BIG BLOCK!! Sweet! Save the rims and engine and crush the rest!
There’s no such thing as a “400 Big Block” Pontiac.
“Yes, yes, yes! Lightning McQueen here. And I use Rust-eze Medicated Bumper Ointment, new rear end formula! Nothing soothes a rusty bumper like Rust-eeeze.” Speed McQueen
I hear the hum of the Al’jon EZ press in the background. When you pick this car up or jack it the subframe will detach from the body. True these bring dumb money but you can buy one for dumb money cheaper than the insane money it will take to bring this back.