Pontiac Trans AM SE 1976

Description

Based upon recent market trends prediction about the increasing desirability of pristine, highly optioned second generation Trans Ams was correct, and their upswing in collectability shows no signs of slowing. That’s because in the mid to late 70s, the Trans Am was one of the only performance cars left, and pop culture rightfully enshrined the brand as one of the most aspirational vehicles on the planet. Today, that sentiment resonates well with buyers who are beginning to have a little free time, a little disposable income, and are rediscovering the car of their dreams.
What we have here is a completely original and correct numbers matching 1976 Trans Am Special Edition 400 C.I. topped with a correct and highly desirable color combination. If you’re a Pontiac fan who is looking for a significant car which maximizes your bang for the buck, this ’76 ‘bird a wonderful choice for a discerning buyer.
Before we go any further, I’ll go ahead and decode the car’s cowl tag for the sake of authenticity:76 – 1976 Model year 2FS87 – 2: Pontiac, FS: Firebird, 87: 2-door coupe N – Assembled at GM’s Norwood, Ohio manufacturing facility 270822 – Fisher body unit number 19N – Deluxe black vinyl interior A51 – Bucket seats 19L – Starlight Black lower paint 19U – Starlight Blacked upper paint 07C – Assembled during the third week of July, 1976 A31 – Power windows WS4 – Trans Am BLK – Secondary interior color: black 460842 – Fisher time date code.
Let's talk a little about the Y82 Special Edition package. This is one of 1,628 vehicles in the 1976 production year.
The Black and Gold Trans Am first made it's debut at the 1974 Chicago car show. There was such a good feedback from this show that they brought the infamous "Black and Gold" back for the 1976 Limited Edition 50th Anniversary Trans Am. Pontiac decided to produce 2400 Limited Edition for the 1976 model year. This Limited Edition would include the following:
Black paint with Gold striping and trimGold polycast Honeycomb wheelsGold grille and headlamp linersGold anodized instrument panelGold steering wheel spokesGold bird emblems inside and outSpecial Gold 50th Anniversary emblems on the quarter panelsHurst Hatch T-topsL78 Pontiac 400 (455 was optional)
All 2400 of the Limited Edition Trans Ams were supposed to be produced with the Hurst hatches, but Pontiac discovered that the Hurst Top tended to leak so only the first 643 Limited Editions had the Hurst roof, the remaining 1757 came without the Hurst Hatches. They were given the designation "Y82" and it did not matter if they had t-tops or not, they were still all designated "Y82". The L78 Pontiac 400 was the standard engine and the L75 Pontiac 455 was optional
For Extensive information regarding the details of the Y82 package please click HERE
The 1976 model year was one of the best combinations of old school swagger and modern car sophistication to ever roll out of GM’s design studios. At the front of the car, a newly integrated urethane bumper that’s complete with chrome trimmed marker lights sits below a fiberglass header panel which is adorned with the iconic ‘screaming chicken’ emblem, gold grille inserts and the last incarnation of round Trans Am headlights. At the top of the car, a “400” branded shaker hood sits in front of a windshield which is split by an integrated antenna and framed by stainless trim. And at the sides of the car wheel flares and fresh gold “Trans Am” decals sit below traditional metal Pontiac fender vents, and standard body-matched sport mirrors ride in front of traditional chrome handles with body-matched inserts.
Under the hood you’ll find this Trans Ams all original L78 big block V8 with 400 cubic inches. Thanks to government mandated emissions standards, performance had almost been legislated out of existence, and that left the Trans Am suffering a bit of an identity crisis. In order to keep the performance flame burning bright, Pontiac continued to offer the big V8s against all odds and built a hardcore group of followers as a result. L78 utilized Pontiacs 6X head design, a cast iron block, a nodular iron crank, arma steel rods and aluminum pistons to provide enough low end grunt (185 bhp, 310 lb-ft) to make this Trans Am one of the fastest pony cars on the market.
At the top of the motor, a correct Rochester Quadrajet 4-barrel carburetor sits above the block that has been sprayed in new for 1976 GM corporate blue paint, as original. All the hard parts around the motor, from the belt driven accessories to the brake booster hanging on the fire wall are in excellent working original condition; and as expected, decals and markings are exactly where they should be from the warning stickers on the radiator to the satin black painted cowl tag.
Take a look underneath this Trans Am and you’ll find a super solid 39 year old undercarriage. Behind the motor, the cars original factory mandated TH350 Automatictransmission sends power an original GM 10 bolt rear end. That solid drivetrain is centered in the cars original front double A-arm and rear leaf spring suspension which includes Trans Am spec shocks, springs and sway bars that combine with standard power steering and standard power front disc and rear drum brakes to provide excellent stopping and handling.
Power flows to the pavement through modern 225/70 BF Goodrich Radial T/As which are wrapped around correct 15 inch cast aluminum honey comb wheels, stainless trim rings and Pontiac branded center caps. Inside the car you’ll find a black vinyl interior which is in great original condition. The cars correct bucket seats are comfortably firm and, carrying new for 1976 horizontally stitched vinyl covers, look like they should be in something much more expensive than a pony car.
Below the seats, black one-piece carpet shows minimal wear. Between the seats an original console houses a storage bin behind the cars Hurst shifter, and above the seats, a headliner is stretched tight around a fully functioning dome light.
In front of the seats, an excellent lookingdash houses crystal clear Rally gauges above controls for the heater and the cars correct Delco stereo radio. At the sides of the seats, hard to find two piece door panels anchor pull straps behind chrome handles for the doors handles and windows.
In front of the driver, a correct black Formula steering wheel is sandwiched between a vivid ‘screaming chicken’ horn button and a tilt steering column. Included with the sale of this sweet Trans Am is a stack of Pontiac Historical Services documentation and owner’s manual.Exciting cars from the mid-70s are pretty hard to find, and this highly desirable 1976 Trans Am is a pristine example of Pontiac’s contribution to a virtually non-existent performance car market. With a numbers matching powertrain, and a killer color combination, it’s set to provide a new lucky owner with years of reliable cruising and great memories. Drive it to work when the weather is nice or take it to the weekend car show, either way you can’t go wrong. But don’t hesitate too long, because with a price like this, it’ll be gone in a hurry.
Steve or Kevin 972 820 0260