This 1977 Pontiac Trans Am is an unrestored example of Pontiac’s top performance car in 1977. It left the factory with the W72 400 cubic inch V8 engine backed by a Borg Warner T-10 4 speed transmission. The car is located in Saint Petersburg, Florida and is currently listed here on eBay. With 2 days remaining in the auction, the Trans Am is bid to $9,300. The seller states that this 1977 Trans Am has the original paint. However, Pontiac did not offer blue in 1977 and the blacked out trim around the tail lights are for a 1978 model. Pontiac offered the 1977 in Cameo White, Sterling Silver, Starlight Black, Golden Rod Yellow, Brentwood Brown and Buccaneer Red. The car appears to be painted Code 24 Martinique Blue which, if original, would confirm the car to be a 1978 model.
The engine compartment looks very nice. While the factory block is gone, the rebuild looks like they used the factory heads, intake and valve covers for the rebuild. Pontiac rated theW72 400 cubic inch V8 engine at 200 horsepower in 1977 and upped the horsepower to 220 horsepower in 1978 and 1979 by adding dual turbo mufflers. The W72 engine was built with a 800 cfm 4 barrel Rochester carburetor, high capacity 60 psi oil pump, special cam, baffled oil pan, special piston rings, and 8:1 compression heads. The car has an aftermarket air conditioner compressor.
The standard black interior looks pretty good but the driver’s seat is tearing at the seams and the console has some bubbles in it. The factory radio has been replaced but the car has power windows and air conditioning. Hot Rod Magazine tested the W72 400 4 speed equipped Trans Am in 1978 and published a 14.7 second quarter mile time. The 1977 Trans Am were about 0.5 seconds slower depending on what rear end they came with from the factory. The tires on this car look pretty dated and I would not trust them on the highway.
There are up close pictures of rust in the lower sheet metal and around the back window. This car could be restored or driven and enjoyed as is. The seller includes pictures of the undercarriage that look pretty clean and don’t indicate any major rust or rot. The seller says he has the PHS documents to prove the car is authentic and could probably tell you the correct year. It might have been built in 1977 but is a 1978 model. While there is some rust and the original block is gone, this car would be a lot of fun.
Couple of issues that appear to me on this one. The extensions that go up the leading edge of the front and rear fender wells appear to be a different color than the main body of the car. Additionally the hood does not appear to sit properly in line with the front fenders which might be just an adjustment or the hood could be bent.
Much IMO depends on how much tin-worm damage is present on the car. The front fender doesn’t appear too bad but that rust around the rear window could be a deal breaker depending on how extensive it is.
My thoughts.
I don’t think those are correct door panels for a ’77.
The cat converter is gone but the shaker is still not opened up? – after all these years?! It makes no sense that pontiac would put chrome valve covers on the t/a 6.6 motor, but not on the sd-455 or 455HO.
I wonder why Pontiac changed to these brushed dull wheel trim rings starting in ’73 – the earlier chromed ones had a better style too.
Having all the spoilers & flares intact here is a plus.
ONLY 20 MINS LEFT…..Good deal at 11K!!