Rebuilt 400ci V8/Tremec TRX Manual/10 Bolt 3.42 Posi/Great Driver/Iconic Decals

1978 Pontiac Trans Am Coupe

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. 

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
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.  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 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
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 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.

Classic Auto Mall is home to more than 1,000 classic and collectible vehicles for sale via consignment in a climate controlled 336,000-square foot showroom (that's more than 8 acres!). The largest single location consignment dealer of classic and collectible vehicles in the country is located in Morgantown, Pennsylvania, just 1-hour west of Philadelphia off Exit 298 of the I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. For more information visit www.classicautomall.com or call us at (888) 227-0914. Contact us anytime for more information or to come see the vehicle in person.