Limited Edition vehicles are nothing new to the automotive world, and almost every manufacturer has trodden that path at some point. However, some classics achieve that status due to unforeseen circumstances. The 1977 Pontiac Can Am is a perfect example because the planned production run was far higher than the 1,377 cars that reportedly left the factory. Our feature car is one of those vehicles, and faulting its presentation is seemingly impossible. Its V8 engine is freshly rebuilt, making the Can Am ready to hit the road with a new owner behind the wheel.
Pontiac sought to inject some excitement into its Le Mans range when it introduced the Can Am to the market. It followed a typical path of employing an outside contractor to perform the necessary upgrades. Therefore, it shipped Cameo White vehicles to Jim Wangers’ Motortown, where cars received their modified hood, the Trans Am scoop, a rear spoiler, and distinctive graphics in Red, Orange, and Yellow. Buyers could add almost any option within Pontiac’s range, including the Trans Am’s Snowflake wheels. This Can Am emerged from thirty years in a private collection, and its presentation is first-rate. The paint shines nicely, the panels are excellent, and the graphics are crisp and clean. The seller supplies an excellent selection of images that help to confirm that this gem is rust-free. The hood tach is an interesting touch, and this Can Am rides on its correct color-matched Rally II wheels with the right trim rings and center caps.
Pontiac offered Can Am buyers a choice of two engines to power their new toy, depending on their location. Some received the 403ci “Olds” V8, although the more desirable was undoubtedly Pontiac’s 400ci unit. This car features the numbers-matching latter, with the seller indicating it was recently rebuilt. That means it should come close to matching the factory’s claimed power and torque figures of 200hp and 325 ft/lbs. Shifting duties fall to a three-speed automatic, with power-assisted steering and front disc brakes standard equipment. The engine bay presents as impressively as the rest of the vehicle, with no evidence of oil leaks or other problems. We receive no information regarding how this Can Am runs or drives, but I would be surprised if it were anything but perfect.
Buyers may not have faced a choice of exterior paint shades for the 1977 Can Am, but the interior was a different story. If a trim type was available in a standard Le Mans, that could be ordered inside a Can Am. This car’s first owner selected White vinyl, which was a bold decision. However, it has avoided the marks and stains that often plague this trim type, presenting in virtually as-new condition. There is no visible wear. The dash and pad are excellent, and the only visible addition is a Kenwood radio/cassette player. The new owner will undoubtedly welcome factory features like the air conditioning and tilt wheel.
This 1977 Pontiac Can Am proves that old saying about the best-laid plans of mice and men. A broken spoiler mold ended production after only 1,377 cars had been built. With no spare mold, the resultant delay caused Pontiac to pull the pin on the program. Our feature car is an impressive beast that the seller listed here on Craigslist in North Ridgeville, Ohio. While their asking price of $48,500 isn’t unprecedented, it is at the top end of the market. However, with cars featuring the Pontiac V8 typically commanding a 10% premium over those with the Olds powerplant, that fact and the car’s overall condition may justify the price. I will qualify that statement by saying that due to its price, it will take the right person to appear from the woodwork before it finds a new home. Do you agree?
Good call Clarkey.
Beautiful car, one of the best available that year. 400 4-Barrel, 400Turbo Hydramatic.
3.23 gear ⚙️ std equipment from the Pontiac factory.
WOW, what a well-preserved gem…If the original owner had only checked the 4-speed box, this would be perfect! I hope it finds a nice home, as it is guaranteed to draw a crowd anywhere you park it!
I am pretty sure this the first time I have replied to my own post! But after reading this, I looked into the history of these deeper and discovered that Pontiac didn’t offer these with a 4 speed option. There is at least one known with a 4 speed but it is believed that it was done after the vehicle was purchased. $48K is probably a good buy giving the rarity of these and the broken spoiler mold causing the company to halt production.
NONE were offered with the four speed . . . . . and it was not an available option.
Yes, it was not an available option, but there was one Can Am modified after it left the dealer at some point in time with a 4-speed trans installed, all the correct clutch pedal & linkages, a center 4-speed console from a Firebird/Trans Am & it was a few years back it was for sale with many pictures of the mods, beautifully done to look like a factory installation!
What makes this car look so good is the Colonade (faux hardtop) roof line. They looks especially nice as two-doors.
I owned one of these until about two years ago. They are a great, comfortable car. The white interior in this one is unusual but not rare. Mostly red interiors.
You have to find an original one as very few parts are made for restoration. For example, the rubber front bumper strip cracks right in the center on most all of these. No one made this part, at least when I needed one, it was an expensive and difficult part to find used.
Always liked these My sister had a 75 Lemans sport coupe red with white buckets and console. Really enjoyed that car.sharp
I have a question …..do they only come in white.
The only ones I’ve seen are white, …What a gorgeous car !
Thank you
This was the only color/stripe scheme available on the CanAm. Well known fact was that the die for the spoiler broke, and Pontiac decided to “can” production of the remaining CanAms and turned them into Lemans Sport Coupes.
Did not know these cars were available in any color except white. Have never seen them in any other color. Wonder how many were produced in the other two colors?
A Can am only came in white, period. how do I know? I worked as a tech at a local Pontiac dealer at the time. There was no color option for a Can Am!
White only, kids. One Carousel Red prototype was built but Wangers. I was friends with Jim in his later years, he said Pontiac was happy to ax the Can Am because they were robbing instrument panels from the last of the ‘big’ Grand Prixs, which were quite popular.
One of the cars just parked, looks fast and loud, realistically it’s not but just great to have, will appreciate in value.
Good to see some positive comments on these cars today. This is one of those peak malaise era cars that somehow appeared against all odds. A bit like the original GTO it probably shouldn’t have been built. The 200-horse 400 was the Firebird engine yet was emissions certified for the Can/Am. Then there’s the Shaker hood that never appeared on another A-body. That had to be crash tested. Then what happens? The spoiler mold ends the production? Not one more dollar was going to be spent. This car must have POed someone inside.
Yes all the standard CanAm’s were white. You could however do a CoPo and get a different color. Mine was the prototype built in 76. It was a CoPo that my Granddad ordered when it looked like I was going to make the A honor role for HS graduation (he was a former line Super in the Atlanta plant and got a new car every other/even year at plant cost). It was black/black/black with a 455 4spd. I got to see it sitting in the rotunda in Sept 75 – I didn’t get it (89.7 Grd avg) – but I was told the plant Manager’s son did. Seems the PM really liked what came out of the order and put in for a production run since the Colonades were built there. Would you believe they only made one mold for the rear spoiler? And when it broke rather than fix it they suspended production.
Dang! That was harsh! What’d they do to you if you came home late?
I highly doubt this story…with no proof it’s just another old wive’s tale. There was no 455/4-speed Colonnade ever produced in 1976.
If memory serves, other than in a LeMans cop car; a Pontiac 400 or Olds 403 was ONLY available via the Can Am.
correct on the engine options. Officially the last 455 was offered in the 74 Grand Am if I remember.
I don’t understand the broken spoiler mold bit. What they couldn’t fix or replace it? Not that it matters now but they were a manufacturer. You know. Manufacture one. I’m tempted to take a look. N Ridgeville is a couple towns over from me but the price is eye watering.
I don’t understand the broken spoiler mold bit. What they couldn’t fix or replace it? Not that it matters now but they were a manufacturer. You know. Manufacture one. I’m tempted to take a look. N Ridgeville is a couple towns over from me but the price is eye watering. White on white too? Outstanding.
Make an offer that doesn’t make your eyes water. Ya never know until you offer/ask.
I’m would be pretty sure in saying that the spoiler mold story is the proverbial urban myth. Truth is they were not a very good seller in period so any reason to say they had to quit production would work. But hey….it might be true as well…
I can’t say if they languished on dealer lots but the car was a spring introduction. Like others have said it was a one way car. White only with a choice of interior color and options. The TA 6.6 (400) was the 49-State engine with a 6.6 litre (403) in California. Turbo Hydramatic only. The brochure says the Grand Prix instrument panel and gauges were part of the package but the GP IP was included in the Luxury leMans, too. 1976 was the last year for the 455 in A,B,C,F&G-body cars. The brochure says the engine is comparable to the previous year’s 455.
Nice, my pops was looking at this car in 1977, he was a mopar guy, traded a 440 4speed 68 charger, i was heart broken id been saving to buy it from him. He ended up getting a 77 Monaco which was a huge mistake. My mom drove the monaco, i bought a Datsun 510, my dad found a rotary powered mazda/currier. A year latter my brother drove that monaco into a lake.
ALL of the RPO WW3 Can Ams were built at the Pontiac Assembly plant ONLY. NO 4 speed manual trans was offered due to the cost of EPA certification testing.