Vehicle Description
As the '70s progressed, the muscle car was becoming a backburner
item for several manufacturers, with both wheelbases and engines
getting continually smaller as the result of the gas crisis. But
Pontiac was having none of that. Aesthetically speaking, they
doubled down on their coveted Firebird, equipping it with a high
impact appearance and offering the option to fill its engine
compartment with a sizable big block. This 1978 Pontiac Firebird
Trans Am ably captures the model at its best during that defiant
time - it's as turnkey as can be and comes with both a factory
build sheet and PHS documentation to vouch for its
authenticity.
There's nothing subdued about this one. It's an absolute attention
magnet, dressed out in black that's ornamented with a terrific
combination of gold pinstriping and badges. On its scooped hood
sits what is likely the most instantly recognizable decal ever to
emerge from a Detroit assembly line - an expansive namesake
Firebird that stretches nearly fender to fender. From front to
back, the car retains its stock configuration - it actually began
life with this decidedly aftermarket-looking color scheme, which
will reach its full potential with a detailing session. The array
of gold accents is in particularly good form here as all decals,
stripes and badging show consistent coloring and sharp edges
against their clean black backdrop. This '78 retains its original
road hugging stance, sitting nice and low over its wheels for a
great center of gravity. If you're looking to make a big entrance,
this Pontiac certainly has you covered.
Open one of the doors and you'll see a black vinyl interior that's
been meticulously restored to factory specs, with the pair of high
backed buckets straddling a very clean center console. There are no
signs of excess wear inside this cabin, every surface seems like
it's been treated with respect and the fact that this Pontiac has
actually logged very few miles since its restoration has left
everything in great shape. The dash area features a sharp looking
gold accent surrounding its instrument panel, with a machine-turned
texture that's a visual precursor to the carbon fiber look we see
so often today and a full complement of factory-style gauges on
hand that all work as intended. You'll find a full spare at the
ready in the trunk, and a fresh-appearing rubber seal sits under
the deck lid to keep the elements from intruding. Comfort and
convenience features include air conditioning, a tilt column, power
windows, a rear window defogger and an AM/FM/8-track stereo that
redefines the term "period appropriate".
Raise that storied hood and you'll find a 455 cubic inch V8 waiting
underneath, matching the displacement of the largest powerplant
offering when this '78 went into service. It sits in a very nicely
detailed engine compartment and wears a 4-barrel carb on top and
pairs with a 3-speed TH350 automatic transmission. Both the engine
and transmission were rebuilt not long ago, so this is a drivetrain
that's functioning at its best, while the 3.23 gears in back offer
a nice balance of off the line acceleration and reasonably low RPMs
at highway speeds. Power steering makes this classic easy to
navigate, while power brakes - with discs up front- equip it with
fade resistant stopping ability as it turns heads on its set of 15"
gold Trans Am wheels outfitted with Goodyear Eagle GT II tires.
Below, the undercarriage looks very solid.
This 1978 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am represents one of the most
iconic models in great form - it's been skillfully restored both
inside and out and stands ready to provide many future miles of
enjoyment. Call today!