This 1978 Pontiac Trans Am wears the classic Bandit colors and was a well-optioned car when it rolled off the Norwood, Ohio assembly line. The seller has listed the T-top coupe at no reserve and bidding has risen to just over $8K. The Trans Am will need some level of refurbishment to be road-ready but it appears to have good bones. Find it here on eBay and located in dry Colorado.
The seller introduced me to a new term based on his description of the faded lettering beneath the spoiler: “German script,” which, sure enough, is a term used to describe the gothic-looking Trans Am lettering on the trunklid. Reproductions are available. Some other interesting aspects of this early-production Trans Am include the Hurst Hatches for the T-top roof, as the Trans AM panels has monochromatic edging to make them blend into the roof.
The cabin looks better than expected, although the automatic isn’t our favorite means of propulsion. You’ll notice some of the pricier options in the cockpit, including air conditioning, electric windows, rear window defrost, cruise control, tinted glass and power locks. The Trans Am also comes with the desirable posi rear end to help get the healthy 220 b.h.p. to the ground effectively.
The Trans Am is equipped with the W72 high-performance engine, but not running at the moment. The seller says it needs complete restoration, as there is some rust to contend with that’s not readily visible in the photos. Per the seller: “There is rust in the rear quarters, and surface corrosion on most of the body panels, but it is a very solid car to fully restore.” Lots of documentation is included, like the PHS and a reproduction of the original window sticker.
these firebird’s are just flat out great cars! Good find and the price is flying up!
Dry and really dusty Colorado. Another pipe dream. Buy it for $10,000 and toss another $10,000 into it.
I just looked at a black 1987 Firebird. It had a carb instead of the fuel injection on the V8 engine.
The dash had been upholstered over so the defrost vents were covered.
The center console was covered in a red something eliminating the glove box.
The car was originally a dark red, which was a better color.
And to top it all off the front bumper was lower than the hood indicating some kind of accident there.
I decided against buying that one as I couldn’t justify paying what he was asking then having to rebuild just about every part of the car, much like the car offered here.
$8000.00 in this condition seems a bit much and then having to redo everything afterwards. No thanks.
There is something really odd about this T/A. As a 78 Y84 car, it should have Fisher tops, not Hurst, it should have the new script, not gothic, the front shield should be gold, not red, and the wheel and column should be camel, like the rest of the interior. So yeah, I’m a bit confused. It’s possible that it’s just because it’s an 11/77 car, but it looks in every way except the ‘78 grills, like a ‘77 car.
This car – in white over red – was my very first car. One of these days I’m going to pull the trigger…
Have one these gold edition rough though been sitting for a long time,but the gold mirror tops still there WS 6 wheels would have to cut some trees to get it out
Why do ppl, including this author, often call these black over camel cars the “classic bandit colors”? The “classic” bandit as far as I’m concerned was the original bandit movie that came out in 1977. The “classic bandit” cars used in that first movie were ALL black on black cars. Enough already with this black on camel being called bandit colors.
You are correct T Mel. Its funny the so called Bandit car actually also has silver snowflake wheels not gold. Also there is no such thing as a Bandit edition they are all just SE’s – Y81, Y82, Y84, Y88. Bandit Edition just stuck like anything else and it sounds good so everybody goes with it.