1978 Pontiac Trans Am Description

1978 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am

Documentation includes original owner’s manual, a 17-page vehicle summary, printed April 25, 2006, copies of the original window sticker, copy of new vehicle inspection list, copy of installment loan note from The Schenectady Trust Company, copies of a report from Pontiac Historical Services, a copy of a Pontiac News Release dated September 14, 1977, Trans Am production statistics broken down by engine and transmission, copies of the vehicle build sheet and much more Believed to have 19,854 actual miles Three-owner car Vehicle kept in storage for several years Cost $7,227 when new in 1978! L78 400 CID (6.6T/A) V-8 engine with the W72 performance package (see second paragraph for details) Four-speed, close-ratio Hurst M21 manual transmission with 3.42 Positraction gearing One of 4,112 examples made with the W72 package and the 4M transmission Rare Solar Gold exterior with front and rear fender spats and black interior with optional custom interior package Radial Tuned Suspension Power steering, power brakes with front discs, power windows and power locks Tilt steering column Rear window defogger Remote trunk release Vanity mirrors Factory AM/FM stereo with cassette Spare sets of keys

MotoeXotica Classic Cars has another General Motors F-body; this time it’s a true survivor – a 1978 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am with the L78 400 CID V-8 engine and the W72 performance package, 4-Speed with understood mileage of 19,854 miles!

The W72 option provided a XX481988 block casting with slotted spring main bearing caps; screw-in stud heads with valve guide plates; higher compression ratio; larger valves (2.11 intake and 1.66 exhaust); larger camshaft; four-barrel, Rochester Quadrajet 800 CFM carburetor with large secondary jets; a 60 PSI oil pump; a faster advance curve on the distributor; an insulated fuel line; 3.42 Positraction rear axle; special exhaust system with dual mufflers; special Trans Am air cleaner assembly; and chrome valve covers.

Assembled in GM’s Norwood, Ohio factory, this car left the factory on August 7, 1978 and was delivered to Miller Motors, Inc., in Amsterdam, New York. It came from the factory with the following optional equipment – Solar Gold exterior, black vinyl interior, trim and Strato Bucket Seats; Saf-T-Track differential; heavy-duty battery; rear window defroster; rally gauge cluster, additional acoustical insulation; front and rear floor mats; power front disc brakes, power windows, power locks, super cooling (three-core) radiator, tilt steering column, Rally II body color wheels; pulse windshield wipers; Formula steering wheel; rear spoiler; Radial Tuned Suspension; and GR70x15 white letter steel radials. This example was ordered without the so-called “Screaming Chicken” on the hood, a $52 option that year. Someone added the iconic bird later. The original owner reportedly removed the catalytic converter, a popular move in an era before high-flow catalytic converters.

Its Solar Gold, which is a rare color, is in very good condition, undoubtedly from the many years the car spent stored and garaged. There are very minor blemishes on the hood, wheel spats and the rear bumper. The car’s glass panels are in great condition and all are tinted plus the rear sports the electric wire defroster grid. The vehicle’s lights are in good order, clear and crack-free. The car rolls on BFGoodrich Radial T/A tires (most appropriate), size 225/70R15, at all four corners and surrounding factory alloy wheels. The body panels, including the shaker hood, are all straight, the engine bay is very tidy and the battery looks new. Driver assist features include power steering, power brakes (disc in front), power windows, power locks, pulse wipers, tilt steering column and rear window defroster.

Inside, the car’s black Strato bucket seats are in excellent shape, as is the rear bench. The matching carpet and headliner are in likewise excellent shape. The instrument panel, with its chrome inserts, is in one piece and houses the full gauge cluster. The black, three-spoke Formula steering wheel is also in fantastic shape. The door skins are in very good condition, the driver’s side features a small joystick for the sideview mirror. The center console and shift lever are in great shape. There’s even a cigarette lighter. Finishing the car’s interior is the factory Delco AM/FM stereo with cassette deck.

The easiest way to distinguish between a L78 Trans Am and those with the W72 package is the graphic on the hood intake. The L78s were labeled 6.6 L while the W72 cars were labeled 6.6 T/A.

Documentation includes original owner’s manual, a 17-page vehicle summary, dated April 25, 2006, copies of the original window sticker, copy of new vehicle inspection list, copy of installment loan note from The Schenectady Trust Company, copies of a report from Pontiac Historical Services, a copy of a Pontiac News Release dated September 14, 1977, Trans Am production statistics broken down by engine and transmission, copies of the vehicle build sheet and much, much more.

Competition to this Pontiac in 1978 included Chevrolet’s Camaro Z28, Ford’s Mustang GT, Datsun’s 280ZX 2+2 and Toyota’s Celica Supra.

This car is currently located at our facility in St. Louis, Missouri. Current mileage on the odometer shows 19,854 miles which is believed to be actual. It is sold as is, where is, on a clean and clear, mileage exempt title. GET OUT AND DRIVE!!!

VIN: 2W87Z89N193449

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