1978 Pontiac Trans Am Firebird W72 6.6L V8
Highlights:
Numbers matching
PHS fully documented, with Original build sheet
W72 6.6L V8
Borg Warner T10 4-speed
Posi-Traction / 3.23 gears
Factory A/C
Factory AM/FM radio
In the late 70’s and early 80’s, the Pontiac Trans Am was on a popularity roll! Burt Reynolds made a black one famous as the Bandit, and they were widely regarded by most as the last true muscle car on the planet.
Included with the sale is a copy of the Trans Am’s original build sheet.
TGA: Windshield, Tinted w/ Ant
AK1: Color S/Belts
AU3: Power Door Locks
A01: Glass. All Windows Soft Ray
A31: Power Windows
B80: Roof Drip Moldings
B84: Body Side Moldings
B85: Windowsill Moldings (Includes Hood Rear Edge Molding)
B97: Front and Rear Wheel Spoilers
C49: Defroster, Electric Rear Window
C60: Air Conditioning. Custom
C95: Lamp. Dome Reading
D35: Mirrors. LH Remote Control Sport. RH Man. Adj
D55: Console Front
D80: Spoiler, Rear Deck
D92: Door Handle Tape
G80: Safe-T-Track Axle
JL1: Pedal Trim Package
JL2: Power Disc Brakes. Front
K15: Vap Return Line
L78: V-8 Pontiac 400 4-BBL
M21: 4 Speed Manual, Close Ratio
NK3: Formula Steering Wheel
N33: Steering Wheel. Tilt
N65: Spare Tire. Stowaway
QBX: Rally RTS Handling Package
UN9: Radio Accommodation Package
U25: Lug Comp Lamp
U27: Light, Glovebox
U29: Light, Courtesy
U58: Radio, AM/FM Stereo
U76: W/S Ant & Rad
T93: Tail Lamps, Black
WS4: Trans Am
WW8: IP Gauge/Tach
WX3: R/A Shaker HD
W72: Performance Package
YR1: Custom Frt Seats
YS1: Cust RR Seat
YT1: Door & ¼ TR
YJ8: Snowflake Rims
16P: Grey Wheels
Y90: Custom Trim Group- Velour
Y92: Lamp Group
U58: Delco-GM AM&FM Stereo Radio
UA1: Battery Heavy Duty
UP8: Dual Rear Speakers
Assembled at GM’s Norwood, Ohio manufacturing facility in 1978, this highly optioned W72 Trans Am was delivered to one lucky customer back in 1978, and today, it’s a restored and exceptionally maintained second-generation F-body which wears 100% original body panels that are as solid and straight as the day they left the show room floor. Because those original panels have never been taken apart or received any major repairs, the car still displays completely correct panel gaps which look surprisingly good and provide accurate factory alignment. Currently the exterior presents as practically new and displays a spectacular coast of GM code Starlite Black paint which give it a slick, factory fresh appearance. On top of the glossy and subdued paint, a bold set of Trans Am call-outs combines with a menacing five color “screaming chicken” hood decal to create some of the most recognized muscle car war paint of all time.
Not quite as ‘loud” as the division’s plethora of Special Edition Trans Ams, this all business F2 pony car combines traditional Pontiac attitude with a refined look and cutting-edge appointments that were way head of their time. Up front, a slick and pliable urethane front bumper houses four pristine headlights above large dual air intakes which, while still being instantly identifiable as a Pontiacs familiar split grille face, give the car a much more aggressive look. Behind that front bumper, a traditional shaker hood sits in front of a Soft Ray glass and proudly displays “T/A 6.6” denoting the cars rare and optional W72 Pontiac engine. At the sides of the car, correct stainless trim spears with body matched inserts sit between the bold “Trans Am” call outs, traditional fender-mounted air extractors, chrome door handles and correct rear wheel air deflectors. At the back of the car, a bright “Trans Am” call out spans a correct rear decklid spoiler, and correct Firebird exclusive side splitter stainless exhaust tips hang below a correct blacked out taillight panel.
Pop the car’s hood and you’ll find an original 400 cubic inch W72 Pontiac V8. By utilizing a better block casting, chrome moly piston rings, a revised camshaft, a better oil pump, a better distributor and smaller ‘6X’ heads from Pontiac’s own 350, the W72 created higher compression and successfully reversed almost a decade of declining horsepower numbers. Not only does this car’s engine carry a correct 8N160572 partial and a 1978 W72/4-speed exclusive PWH stamp. Also on the block is XX481988 casting number which is found exclusively on the beefier W72 castings. At the top of the engine a Rochester 4-barrell carburetor sits under the cars awesome shaker scoop and a correct HEI distributor sends power to the cylinders through modern plug wires. Below that carburetor, Metallic Blue paint coats the entire block and original exhaust manifolds send exhaust into a fresh high-performance factory style exhaust system. All the hard parts around the engine, from the belt drive accessories to the brake booster and air conditioning hanging on the firewall are factory correct as are the decals and signature satin finish chrome valve covers. The car’s clean engine bay and hood are covered in a nice coat of factory satin black and there are fresh belts, fresh hoses, radiator, updated A/C compressor, and even a new battery.
At the bottom of this Trans Am, a straight 40-year-old undercarriage tell the story of excellent care taking with nice floor pans that still display most of its factory undercoating. Behind the engine, an exclusive-to-theW72 Borg Warner T10 close ratio manual transmission, which wears a correct partial VIN and a June of 1978 build date sends power to the Posi-tract rear end which spins factory equipped 3.23 gears
I've had this car for over a year and she just doesn't get driven as much as she should. As with any 40 year old vehicle there are some minor issues here and there that I've just been too busy to address. I really want this car to go to someone who can appreciate her.
Please feel free to ask anything and thank you for looking!
