There is only one day remaining in the auction for this 1978 Pontiac Trans Am. The car is currently bid to $7,200 after 9 bids. From a first glance at the pictures in the ad, it is obvious that this car is a project. Located in Centerville, Tennessee, the seller states that it starts but is not driveable due to no brakes. The Trans Am was the top of the line performance offering by Pontiac in 1978. This car is listed here on eBay and it appears that the reserve has been met.
The ad states that the car has its original, numbers matching engine which appears to be the Z code W72 400 cubic inch V8 engine. Pontiac offered three different engine options in 1978. The base engine in most states was the L78 400 cubic inch V8 engine rated at 180 horsepower. In California, the base engine was the Oldsmobile 403 cubic inch V8 engine rated at 185 horsepower. It was only available with an automatic transmission. The performance option was the W72 400 cubic inch engine that was available early in the production run with either an automatic or manual transmission. Later in the year, the W72 engine was only available with a 4 speed like this car. The W72 engine was introduced in 1977 and received better exhaust in 1978 which increased the horsepower rating from 200 horsepower in 1977 to 220 horsepower in 1978.
The interior of the car is worn and sun faded. Aftermarket speakers have been added to the console. The car was originally ordered with air conditioning but not power windows and few other comfort options.There is rust throughout the car including the rear floor pans, rockers and rear quarter panels. The car will need new weatherstripping everywhere.
The car has sat outside for 10 years but is said to have spent its life in the Tennessee area. The paint is more than faded on the roof and trunk. It is non existent and rust is showing through. The car rides on the stock Rally II rims which indicates that the WS6 Performance Handling Package was not opted for by the original buyer.
People are willing to spend $7200 on this?? Sounds like they just dragged it out of a field and put it up for sale.
“Not drivable due to brakes inop. Has rust in lower sheet metal (not to bad) will need pan under pass rear seat.”
“The interior of the car is worn and sun faded. Aftermarket speakers have been added to the console. The car was originally ordered with air conditioning but not power windows and few other comfort options. There is rust throughout the car including the rear floor pans, rockers and rear quarter panels. The car will need new weatherstripping everywhere.”
“The car has sat outside for 10 years but is said to have spent its life in the Tennessee area. The paint is more than faded on the roof and trunk. It is non existent and rust is showing through. The car rides on the stock Rally II rims which indicates that the WS6 Performance Handling Package was not opted for by the original buyer.”
Has the desirable motor ,trans and handling pkg equipment. Dwell on the positives..
I good W72 reverse bandit will do $50k so at less than 10 grand ,a good DIY could do okay here .And , as a very fortunate multiple car collector/driver , I will repeat that there are VERY few cars that are as fun to drive as a 4 speed Trans Am , and even less that will cause such a scene everywhere you go.
I agree, back in the 90’s this particular car could be had for a couple hundred bucks, I have too keep reminding myself those days are long gone.
In fact,quick follow up ; I am going to fire up my Bandit for my first cool car cruise of the year today !We had a 3” snowfall on Monday, here in Northern Canada, but it will be in the upper 60’s and sunny today,so it;s time to leave the keyboard and go burn some ridiculously expensive fossil fuel !