78 Trans AM, W72 6.6L, WS6, Restored by Restore A Muscle Car, "Gold" Edition

1978 Pontiac Trans Am Description

1978 Pontiac Trans AmSpecial "Gold" EditionRestored by Restore A Muscle Car Very OriginalWest Coast CarRust FreeCoupe Solar GoldCamel Interior W72 T/A 6.64-Speed ManualWS6 Handling PackageGold Cast Aluminum "Snowflake" WheelsGold Removable Roof PanelsSpecial Hood DecalSpecial EmblemsSpecial StripingFactory A-CTinted GlassAM/FM StereoTilt Steering WheelCustom Trim GroupControlled Cycle Windshield Wipers

The word "Iconic" can be used to describe a choice few American muscle cars. And The Pontiac Trans Am is certainly one of them! It was introduced in '69 as a limited edition to the Firebird line-up. And by the time the 3rd generation came out in '76, the cars popularity and "Legendary" status has been firmly cemented in the consciousness of almost every car-loving teenage boy in the U.S.! And a little film called "Smokey and the Bandit" only heightened the car's appeal by leaps and bounds! That film featured a Special Edition Black T/A w/Gold striping, and Black interior. However, there was another Special "Gold" Edition Trans Am that was only available in '78. The package consisted of Solar Gold exterior with Camel interior, Gold cast aluminum "Snowflake" wheels, special striping, emblems, hood decal and Gold removable roof panels. You could get it in either a 4-spd manual or automatic, but what really made this 'bird special was checking W72 and WS6 on your dealer order form. First, some technical stuff about the W72 . . . Starting in 1978, Pontiac improved on the durability of the 6.6 liter engine by reviving the 481988 block casting, which was beefier than the 500557 used elsewhere. Research shows that all 6.6 liter (400 cid) blocks used for the 1978-1979 T/A 6.6 engines (W72) were cast through November 1977. It appears that the 1978 481988 XX blocks did not have material removed from the web area like the base 500557 400 blocks. The T/A 6.6 engine shared many major internal engine parts with the base 6.6 Liter engine including pistons, connecting rods and crankshaft. Even though both 400 engines used the same aluminum alloy pistons, the T/A 6.6 engines used molly filled compression piston rings. In addition, the T/A 6.6 engines also used SAE 1016 locked in rod (press-in) piston pins. Both 400 engines used standard cast Arma Steel connecting rods with Moraine 400 steel backed main bearings. A standard nodular cast iron crankshaft with Moraine 400 steel backed main bearings was used in both 400 engines. All T/A 6.6 engines used a harmonic balancer (P/N 477682) as a vibration damper instead of the rubber floated weight used on the base L78 400 engines. The W72 engine used different heads than the base 6.6 Liter Pontiac motor. The head code for each of these applications is “6X-4” (P/N 500795). The smaller chambered 350-cid 6×4 heads measured between 91cc and 93cc. The base 6.6 liter used the larger combustion chamber 6×8 heads (P/N 500798) that measured between 98cc and 101cc. The smaller chambered 6×4 heads helped boost the compression ratio from 7.6:1 to an advertised 8:1. The W72 6X-4 heads can be identified conclusively by the small #4 machined on the bottom of a small ridge that protrudes from the head. It’s located between the front and center exhaust ports directly above the spark plugs, in front of the temperature sensor. You’ll probably have to scrape off the paint, as the “4” is stamped into the face of the machined pad. While you’re at it, take a look at the valve covers; all W72 motors originally came with chrome valve covers. Also introduced in '78, the WS6 Handling Package was an upgrade to the suspension on the Trans Am (Named the "Trans Am Special Performance Package") and on the Formulas and Trans Am's in 1979 and later (Named the "Special Performance Package"). The package consisted of a larger diameter sway bar, tighter steering box gear ratio, GR70-15 raised white letter Goodyear Polysteel Radials, and also the 15x8 inch snowflake rims which the total package was between $251 and $324 upgrade cost depending if you also went with the W72 Performance Package as well. One of the main additions with the WS6 Performance Package was the 15x8 Snowflake rims which really gave the car a wider stance. Starting with the Gold Special Ed. (one year only) Y88 Pkg., adding in the T/A 6.6 liter W72 engine and the WS6 Performance Suspension Pkg. got you one very rare Trans Am! The very correct and absolutely beautiful example presented here offers the best of what was available in a T/A back in '78! Other options include, factory A-C, Custom Trim Group, tinted glass all around, AM/FM stereo, tilt steering wheel and controlled cycle windshield wipers. The car is also equipped with 17" T/A style Snowflake wheels wrapped in performance rubber. It was restored back around '06 by Restore A Muscle Car, who's specialty are Trans Am’s. It was a very original, rust free West Coast car to begin with and the finished product is outstanding! The paint is show quality and the rest of the car is top notch.

Do not wait to bid, or to make an offer, on this Gold Edition Trans Am, as it is also available for sale in our showroom and will move fast. For more information, you can send us a question through eBay or call/text, us on our cell phones at: Jeff (661-510-3486) or Troy (714-712-0060).