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 plenty of pop under the hood. This 1978
Pontiac Firebird Trans Am ably captures the model at its best
during that defiant time - turnkey ready with a strong 400 V8, a
quick-shifting 5-speed gearbox, and an iconic color
combination.
There's nothing subdued about this one. It's an absolute attention
magnet, dressed out in black paint and 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 is
still in great shape after a comprehensive respray completed 17
year ago. 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, and the overall
strong driver-quality form of this T/A is exactly right for a car
you're going to want to drive and show off. 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 Poncho certainly has you covered.
Open the doors and you'll see a black vinyl interior that's been
beautifully 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 the cabin, every surface seems like it's been
treated with utmost respect and the fact that this Pontiac has
logged very few miles since its restoration has left everything in
great shape. The dash is free of cracks and features that iconic
instrument bezel 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 are on hand ahead of the
driver. A Pioneer AM/FM/Cassette head unit was added at some point
in the stock stereo slot and the center console was left original
as well, although a tall Hurst shifter topped with a shiny Tremec
shift knob now juts out from inside. Black carpets are plush,
matching door panels show practically no wear, and a taut headliner
above serves as further proof of this T/A's comprehensive
restoration. 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.
Raise that storied hood and you'll find a 400 cubic inch V8 waiting
underneath, and although it's not a numbers matching block (it
decodes to a 1974 engine) it is the correct displacement the car
was born with. It sits in a nicely detailed engine compartment with
a 4-barrel carburetor and an aluminum intake on top, block-hugging
headers at the flanks, and chrome valve covers and blue engine
enamel on the block itself that provide a little extra flash under
the imposing shaker hood scoop. It's a strong runner, cranking
effortlessly and pulling with ease up and down the throttle, and
when paired with a Tremec 5-speed manual gearbox it reaches a whole
new level of FUN. And thanks to an upgraded X-pipe dual exhaust
with a pair of throaty Flowmaster mufflers, this T/A sounds
downright erotic. 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-inch 'snowflake' wheels wrapped with 245/60/15 BFGoodrich T/A
white-letter radials.
This 1978 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am represents one of the most
iconic classics in great form - it's been skillfully restored both
inside and out and stands ready to provide many future miles of
enjoyment. Call today!
