Vehicle Description
1978 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am - 403ci V8 - Automatic Transmission
- Window Sticker - 12k Miles Shown, True Mileage Unknown - Black
Over Black Interior - Air Conditioning Garage Kept Motors is very
excited to feature this 1978 Pontiac Trans Am for sale. By the
mid-'70s little was left of the muscle car market that had been
thriving 5 years earlier. However, insurance and safety
regulations, and a fuel crisis had all but diminished the existence
of performance-oriented cars. But during these dark times for car
enthusiasts, Pontiac was still flying the muscle car flag with
their flagship Pontiac Trans Am. In the 1970s Pontiac Trans Am
sales remained healthy, but they soon exploded after a low-budget
movie called Smokey and the Bandit hit the theatre screens in 1977
The movie had plenty of star power with Jerry Reed, Sally Field,
Jackie Gleason, and of course Burt Reynolds. However, the real star
of the movie was a black Pontiac Trans Am. It is thought this car
was a 1977, however in reality, it was a 1976 with 1977 front sheet
metal. Production had not yet begun for the 1977 model year when
the movie began filming, so Pontiac provided four cars for the film
from the previous model year outfitted with 1977 front ends. Sales
immediately rose to 68,745 units for 1977 after the film's release.
Sales continued to soar in 1978 with 93,351, half of the total
production of Firebirds that year. Needless to say, these cars
remain popular today among enthusiasts and collector car buyers.
The example featured here was originally sold in California. It's
an example that has been repainted much like Burt's 'Bird in the
classic movie, black over black. This car was originally blue and
now has an older black refinish that is showing some age. The
correct gold pinstriping adorns the body, along with the full
aerodynamic package which includes front, rear, and wheel opening
spoilers and rear-facing shaker hood scoop. This car also features
the correct era screaming chicken decals on the hood and roof
pillars. The black interior presents nicely. The front seats have
been re-upholstered, new carpet has been installed, and the
remaining interior looks to be original. The engine-turned dash
insert frames the factory instrumentation. Gauges include a clock,
tachometer, 100 mph speedometer, oil pressure, coolant temperature,
voltmeter, and fuel level. This car comes equipped with factory A/C
and power windows. The factory radio has been upgraded to a Pioneer
AM/FM/CD with aux input and Bluetooth capability, and the tunes
play through a set of JL Audio 6X9 3-way speakers mounted in the
rear package tray. The trunk compartment is clean and is finished
with black speckle trunk paint. A new trunk mat has been installed,
and the original stowaway spare tire is still in place. Under the
hood sits the 403cid V8, which came in California-sold Trans Ams.
The venerable V8 presents as unmolested, well maintained, and has
been lightly detailed. The factory smog controls are still in
place, and recent service includes new alternator, clutch fan, fuel
pump, and starter, spark plugs, wires, and distributor cap. The
underneath is unrestored but very clean and the underbody has been
lightly undercoated and rust-free. Power is transferred through a
GM 3-Speed Automatic Turbo-Hydramatic Transmission to a 10-bolt
Safe-T-Track differential with 2.47:1 rear gears. The exhaust
features a cross-over headpipe that flows into a catalytic
convertor test pipe into a new Cat-back stainless-steel exhaust
system with Magnaflow performance mufflers and dual splitter chrome
tailpipe tips. The brakes were recently serviced including a new
master cylinder, front calipers, brake pads, and front rubber brake
lines. Front stabilizer bar bushings have also been replaced. The
car rolls on a set of original-style Pontiac 15X7 cast aluminum
snowflake wheels wrapped in Cooper Cobra Radial G/T tires. This T/A
is well documented with the original window sticker and
