1978 Pontiac Trans Am Coupe

It took some time, but Pontiac Trans Ams are finally having their day in the sun.  Between the period when the over-the-top design and graphics seemed normal, and the rediscovery of the coolness, the market for Trans Ams was soft compared to Camaro counterparts.  But no more, the second generation T/A's are some of the hottest cars on the market, highly desirable, and usually not at the mall for very long before finding a new owner.  1978 saw the greatest number of Trans Ams produced up to that point with over 93,000 cars finding their way to American roads. 

For consignment, a '78 Trans Am with a 5-speed manual and a long list of top end and bottom end engine work done within the last 14,000 miles.  The color change to a silver on red configuration looks great on Trans Ams and this one is no exception.  A solid roof car with all the ingredients that make T/A's special, the decals, the air dams, the spoiler, those side vents, and of course, those epic exhaust splitters.  Kudos to Pontiac for creating a legend.

Note:  Due to modifications of the emissions control devices installed by the manufacturer, please check your local, state, and federal laws to determine if this vehicle is applicable for use on public highways in your area
 
Exterior
A color change now covers the body in Sterling Silver, and one cannot help notice the red and black accents including the bigger than life screaming chicken graphic on the hood, the decal names on the front, side, and tail, and of course, the hood scoop acknowledgment of what lurks under the shaker.  The molded body colored wheel flares are uniquely Trans Am and the fronts are connected by a low chin spoiler, also painted silver.  The one piece nose allowed Pontiac to create rounded edges with a Batmobile like cutout for the grille and headlights.  A crosshatch design to the grille replaces the honeycombs in '78 and all looks good up front on this car.  The window trim and door handles are unpainted and polished.  A “Hurst Equipped” emblem has been added to the middle part of the three piece rear spoiler.  The curvaceous rear bumper cover leads to the dual exhaust splitters, a design cue that was likely inspired by the mid 60's GTOs.  The long nose and short back of the F-body is swooped rearward, enhanced by back facing side fender vents, a raking windshield, and body colored sport mirrors.  15-inch snowflake wheels with Trans Am silver center caps are looking good!  The paint overall is very nice with the exception of some flaws we note including some bubbling in lower areas, a chip in the paint, a drop of some overzealous clear coat, and some very minor imperfections you might not spot at 10 feet.  

Interior
As the Red Rocker, Sammy Hagar once sang…”I want red…there's no substitute for red.”  Well, in this '78 Trans Am, you got it!  It begins with vinyl door cards lined underneath with tight weave Dark Carmine carpet.  And both door panels are in excellent condition.  Dark Carmine sports buckets are next looking very shiny and tight in vinyl.  The two back seats are split by the drive shaft hump and they look like they've never been used.  Standard fare for the steering which is a three spoke wrapped foam wheel, sporty and thick.  The dash is lined in the quintessential machined metal applique and houses the requisite gauges in an arrangement that changed very little during the second generation, right down to the Radial Tuned Suspension plate in the center.  An aftermarket AM/FM/CD radio occupies the molded red lower dash where we also find an ashtray.  The "Jesus bar" is in place for the passenger, and everything looks very original and very nice.  A handsome Hurst shifter is in the center console where we can also rest our arm on the lid of the storage bin by our side.  The Dark Carmine carpet looks to be in good shape as does the headliner and dome light.  The small trunk is bare and unlined, but clean. 

Drivetrain
A non original circa 1977 400ci V8 is under the hood and about a year ago received new rods, bearings, and crankshaft.  Some time ago, the top end redone and the mill was treated to new pistons, rings and the block was bored 0.30 over.  A refreshed 4-barrel Rochester Quadrajet carburetor sends fuel to all this new hardware while a Tremec TR3551 TRX 5-speed manual transmission is present with a McLeod flywheel and Super StreetPro clutch installed.  Power is sent through a newer drive shaft to a 10-bolt rear with 3.42 gears and Positraction.  Power brakes assisted by a newer master cylinder and brake booster stop the car with disc up front and drums in the rear.  Our consignor also notes an aluminum radiator is in place. 

Undercarriage
A little bit of age and use and a tiny bit of surface rust does not detract from the overall cleanliness of the underside.  There is one area of invasive rust on the driver's heel/toe board and we note patches on the rear unibody rails overtop of heavy invasive rust, some of which is still showing through.  The dual exhaust enters Magnaflow mufflers then route over the rear axle and dump in epic style towards the ground.  There are no catalytic converters present.  Coil springs are found up front in independent configuration while leaf springs are loaded in the back.  

Drive-Ability
I stepped inside the car and step right back into high school, this brings it all back!  We knew they were cool but didn't know how cool.  This car started right up with a few priming kicks of the gas and off we went.  While we didn't shift through all five gears, just having a vintage Trans Am with five gears is nothing to sneeze at and that extra gear does a lot!  The car sounded great and as expected, the car handled well, it was named for a road race, after all, and hitting curves is its strongpoint.  A wonderful example of a second gen Trans Am.  We note the clock is not working and the power lock actuator makes noise but does not move the locks. 

Young people are catching on to the current Trans Am craze, who wouldn't want a car that draws more attention than chum in a shark tank.  But if you had one of these and, (like me), sold it when it was time to settle down, it's time to get back up.  It's time to rise like the Phoenix on the hood and dive into this silver and red beauty before someone else does.  Waiting here for you in our Hallowed Halls of the Classic Auto Mall.

2W87Z8N170831

2-Pontiac
W-Trans Am
87-2 Door Hardtop Sport Coupe
Z-400ci 4bbl V8
8-1978
N-Norwood, OH Assy Plant
170831-Sequential Unit Number

TRIM TAG

ST 78 2FS87-1978 Firebird 2 Door Hardtop Sport Coupe
BDY N258721-Norwood Body #
TR 74B A51-Dark Carmine Lombardy Cloth Buckets
PNT 11L 11U-Cameo White
05B-2nd Week May
A31-Power Windows
WS4-Trans Am
CA1-Emissions Canister

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