Just a few weeks ago I wrote about a 1977 Pontiac Can Am that was in dire need of a full restoration. The one submitted by reader Pat L. and found here on Craigslist in Green Bay, Wisconsin is the complete opposite. This Can-Am isn’t perfect, but with 67,000 original miles, it’s an incredible survivor. It is also listed for more than ten times the asking price of the aforementioned project from the earlier post.
The seller correctly states that there were only 1,377 of these special edition Pontiacs produced. While the even rarer Can-Am is powered by an Oldsmobile 403 this one runs true to its Pontiac pedigree, sporting 400 cubic inches of Poncho power. Thankfully the air conditioning is still intact and hopefully, a potential buyer could get it to produce cold air with minor work.
While some may criticize these big, heavy, and underpowered cars one can rationalize that away with the rarity of the Can-Am option. The car was a sign of the times in that Detroit was dressing up cars however they could to increase their sales numbers. From a historical perspective, it’s good to preserve a car just like this no matter the ruling of it in the court of public opinion.
If the seller is correct that somewhere around 300 are believed to still be in existence it makes this car a worthy investment of future value. A discussion that is taking place in the world of classic and antique cars is preservation versus restoration. So, the question is could fixing a few minor imperfections on the car take away from the “survivor” status or would that work increase the car’s overall value? And is this survivor worth the $21,900 asking price as it sits?
22K and you don’t get to test drive it. Two reasons to pass on it just for starters.
It must be Can-Am Friday! I’m a big fan of these cars but 21,000 is way too steep. For that money I would expect a trophy winning, fully detailed show car, which this is not, or an original survivor with about half of the miles.
What? 1995 called and wants it’s statement back…….. where do you live and in what year are you living that $21K would buy you a “trophy winning, fully detailed show car” that is somewhat desirable & collectable, fairly low in total production much less how many are left?
Sorry, comments like this leave me shaking my head in disbelief. See my comments below.
300 left 2 available for sale. Build the rust bucket or buy this one.
Grand Am thank you;455. Too much $ For this one. They are nice
Mine now has 38000 mi…..403….owned for 24 yrs.
The one posted twelve hours earlier for $6500, seems realistically priced. This one not so much
In 1999 I bought one,at that time there were supposedly 1277 built and 199 left,so somehow today there is 1377 built and 300 left that accounts for an additional 100 recently surfacing.anyway I sold that one which is a twin to this one bench seat black interior,42000 miles and got $8500.i’ve always regretted selling it so I bought 2 more,all in all nice car but I see the owner is not brave enough to list it e-bay no reserve,he’s trying to get it appraised.
way over priced!!!!
Very cool Pontiac… can’t restore one for that money… need to see more of these body styles instead of the same old same old… hope he gets it or close to it….
Way overpriced, especially for a bench seat car. Good luck.
I love the Colonade body styles regardless of car division. I just wish some vendors would get off their fat behinds and make some parts for them. Start with a complete floor pan. Almost every one of them needs one!
Just saw one here yesterday, less many of the decals and in not quite this shape. I liked the one before without the billboard graphics, just me being me I guess.
Interesting learning about how Hot Rod magazine reported a high 15 second ET with a trap speed close to 90 miles an hour yet another publication could do no better than 17.1 at 76 miles an hour. Big difference, not even in the same league, but Hot Rod actually never tested the car. They were quoting Pontiac actually and we all know how honest those guys at Pontiac were when it came to public relations and marketing.
My only comment is that I think many of you commenting need to be a little more realistic and thoughtful when a car like this shows up in the market place, here is what I mean.
The car has issues, most minor, 67K miles and 41 years old….as a survivor it is in pretty good condition. Then the thought of “they are only original once” AND being this nice….I would recommend NOT restoring it. Restoring this car will take at least another $50K and it is not worth it plus it would erase its strong survivor condition. The Can Am from the other day for $6500, you restore that one because Can Am’s are cool enough and rare enough and that one needs restoration.
No test drives, I will drive it for you. I had a very responsible man from NY fly into Chicago to look at buying my 72 Corvette 454 M22 car. Very nice car. He was driving and a little old lady blew a red light. Thank GOD the brakes and horn worked well and we did not wreck it. Made me think twice about test drives ESPECIALLY when you can tell a person is a joy ride and not a prospective buyer. My NY prospect certainly was serious having paid for a plane ticket and the time to come here. I think better said “I will take you on a test drive, IF YOU ARE going to do a deal on the car after me taking you on a test drive, show me the money, car is basically sold pending a quick spin behind the wheel”. I think that is more realistic. I don’t even believe in a test drive UNLESS you KNOW THAT YOU KNOW this IS the car you have been looking for and you ARE going to buy it. If not, why are we going out on a drive?
I am not saying $21K for this car is not a bit too high or not… but “Trophy winning fully detailed show car” for $21K …..good luck with that one…..not sure what you are buying for that amount of money fitting that description but I can guarantee you it is NOT any car that is mildly desirable and one of 1300 +/- built much less how many are left.
Not sure where you live but in the midwest, a show winning paint job with body work to support, IF you are paying someone else to do it, is about 15-20 grand. THEN you still need to buy the car along with its interior, trim, drivetrain, wheels tires, electrical……sorry comments like that don’t sit well with me.
Tom, if somebody says I have to decide I am going to buy the car before I drive it, I walk away. I would be extremely insulted.
Good luck with that strategy.
I think the decision whether to allow someone to test drive a car depends on the car. On all of the car shows where they spend a lot of $$ building a car, they always take the buyers for a drive. Makes sense.
This car here, letting a serious buyer drive it before deciding makes sense.
What I do is decide when I see the buyer, but I would never post something so negative sounding in the ad. The only test drives I ever denied was when selling an Audi S4. The hothead kids did not get to drive it. One of them ended up buying it, with Mom’s money.