Worth Fixing? 1977 Pontiac Trans Am

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There were several changes to the 2nd generation Pontiac Trans Am in 1977. First was the new front end with its “beak” nose. The 455 cubic inch V8 engine was no longer but Pontiac introduced the high performance W72 engine option to replace it. Also, Pontiac introduced its first set of aluminum wheels on the Trans Am. This 1977 Pontiac Trans Am is a project and is located in Frankfort, Illinois. It is listed here on eBay with 6 days remaining in the auction.

The car has extensive rust damage throughout. Most of the lower body panels have rust damage and the car’s engine compartment is covered in surface rust. The data tag on the car shows that it is an original Code 19 (Starlight Black) Trans Am. The condition of the car is concerning but there have been 18 bids on it so far.

Visitors to a Pontiac dealership in 1977 could choose from multiple engine options when ordering a Trans Am. The L78 400 cubic inch V8 engine was the standard engine and was rated at 180 horsepower. The last year for the Pontiac 455 cubic inch V8 was in 1976 and in its place was the W72 400 cubic inch V8 that was rated at 200 horsepower. Based on the chrome valve covers shown in the engine pics, this car appears to be optioned with the W72 engine. In California, emissions limited the engine in a Trans Am and the Pontiac 400 was not allowed in the Golden State. So all Trans Ams in California were equipped with the Oldsmobile 403 cubic inch V8 engine rated at 185 horsepower.

The white interior is in pretty bad shape with cracked and dirty seats. The door panels are sun faded and the car is missing its console. The dash bezel is also missing some parts as wheel as the glove box and lower panel under the steering wheel. The car comes with a few parts in the trunk. The seller states the car has its original engine and is unmolested. So who is up for a long term project to get this car back on the road.

Auctions Ending Soon

Comments

  1. StanMember

    Doesn’t have matching tires 😲

    Like 3
  2. Roland

    The keys look like they are ready to go. Everything else looks like it needs to be replaced. Maybe a good project for someone who wants to learn how to weld and has a rotisserie rack.

    Like 5
  3. Jeff

    Wow…
    The pictures show floor pans are completely gone and the vin is almost falling off rusted dash.
    How are the seats not dumping the occupants on the ground.

    In my opinion the 4500 hundred Ebay bidder is already over the selling price.

    Once the new owner starts removing interior and other metal pieces …buyers remorse will set in and this car might show up again for sale..

    On the plus side those bolts that rust and usually need a cut off wheel will rip off with cancer sections.

    I have restored many cars and this one is a Illinois’s salt 🧂 car..

    Not saying it can’t be done as i once welded in my younger days a 67 Rustang vert back together. The hood and doors were original metal when done and the year of weekends in the garage worked…. But ones time, cost and parts search was not worth it. This was prior covidosity pricing too.

    Good luck with the 45,000 dollar car if lucky after all parts, paint and rebuild takes place..

    This might be a good car for a divorced guy too with nothing else to do 😗

    Just one guys opinion saying run away fast and don’t look back on this project…

    Like 0
  4. Steve R

    Based on the visible rust and the sellers wordy description I think what’s shown in the pictures is the tip of the iceberg.

    What does “rust in the typical spots” mean? Especially on a 47 year old car with rust holes on top of the dash next to the VIN and visible daylight through the holes in the carpet. You can almost guarantee the firewall is rusted through.

    Steve R

    Like 5
  5. ken

    rot bucket. good parts doner at this point. take 60k to put this back to showroom.

    Like 7
  6. Bruno

    It’s a lot of money for a parts car.

    Like 4
    • Last 1LE

      I doubt that there are many useable parts left on that heap.

      Like 2
  7. David

    Not worth fixing, too rusty, just part it out, not much left!

    Like 3
  8. Tigger

    The screaming eagle on the hood looks too small.

    Like 0
    • JoeNYWF64

      No it isn’t – if you look closely, the surrounding feathers are very faded.
      Interestingly, there was a prototype pearl white t/a that indeed had a much smaller hood bird – watch the youtube video, “1972 Trans Am Prototype” – designed by Bill Mitchell with custom pinstriping & unique seats, door panels, & interior colors.

      Like 1
  9. PRA4SNW PRA4SNWMember

    I wonder if you were riding behind this on a motorcycle if you could taste the salt coming off of it.

    Someone left the screaming chicken in the dryer too long.

    Like 2
  10. Nelson C

    Keys are ready to go…lol

    Like 2
  11. Austin

    Flood car? As in saltwater flood.

    Like 2
  12. oldroddderMember

    Another malaise era Trans Am, but this one is worse than most. I fail to see the value in most of these, but in my opinion, there is no value in this one. It would cost more to get this home than it is worth.

    Like 1
  13. David

    This one is too far gone, anything can be restored, but this is so bad there is nothing solid left, Maybe the VIN tags? Not every old car is worthy of restoration, this isn’t a candidate, it’s been rusted for too long!

    Like 0
  14. PRA4SNW PRA4SNWMember

    Ended at $4,600.
    Reserve Not Met (?)

    Like 0

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