1978 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am

Description

Late-70s Trans Ams like this numbers-matching 1978 Solar Gold coupe are back in fashion and collectors are grabbing the good ones at an unprecedented rate. These are legitimate performance cars with a unique place in muscle car history, and there's no denying that they have aged well and represent the disco era far better than most of their contemporaries.

There were a lot of special editions around this period, but as far as we can tell, this is a standard Trans Am. Now, before you go dismissing it, you should realize that today the standard car is rarer than the so-called limited edition models. The paint is correct code 50 Solar Gold, which was previously only available on the special editions, however late in 1978, the special editions were discontinued but buyers could still order the paint. This car looks right and the paint it wears today is spectacular two-stage urethane that's better than any original paint could ever be. Fit and finish are exceptionally good and if you want a Trans Am to drive, there aren't many that are as much fun as this one. It does wear the requisite TRANS AM decals on the front fenders and rear spoiler, but I like that they skipped the bird on the hood, giving this T/A a low-profile look that's still plenty aggressive, and if you want the chicken, they're readily available.

It also carries a freshly restored Camel vinyl interior that's a great choice with the Solar Gold paint. Comfortable seats were important in a car designed for long-haul road trips, and these get the job done quite nicely. The seats themselves show very little wear, with the back seat still looking like new. Correct carpets and door panels tie it all together, and like all Trans Ams of the era, it has a racy engine-turned dash panel that shines and sparkles in the sun. Crisp, bright gauges watch all the engine's vitals through the spokes of a racy leather-wrapped wheel, and the center console puts the shifter for the TH350 3-speed automatic transmission within easy reach. Everything was included with the top-of-the-line Trans Am, including A/C, power windows, and a tilt steering column, and the original AM/FM stereo is still in the middle of the dash. The trunk is neatly finished with a correct mat and the original space-saver spare with inflator bottle, a nice touch!

Of course no Trans Am is complete without a real-deal Pontiac 400 cubic inch V8. This is the original engine and it has been recently rebuilt and detailed to a very high level, from the hood scoop to the oil pan. Correct details include hoses and clamps, the intake hose, and reproduction decals throughout. The only deviation from stock might be the chrome master cylinder lid, but who can complain when the rest looks this good? The undercarriage is equally nice with a fresh stock-style exhaust system and original 10-bolt rear end. Gorgeous alloy wheels with "red" centercaps carry 225/70/15 BFGoodrich T/A radials for the right performance attitude.

An impressively restored car with all its credentials in order, including PHS paperwork and a window sticker. If you're looking for your next drivable investment, this is it. Call today!