1978 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am TA W72 400ci 4-Speed PHS AC Smokey and the Bandit

1978 Pontiac Firebird Description

1978 Pontiac Firebird W72 T/A 6.6L V8Highlights:Numbers matchingPHS Fully documented, with Original build sheetW72 T/A 6.6L V8Borg Warner T10 4-speedPosi-traction / 3.23 gearsFactory A/CFactory am/fm RadioIn the late 70s and early 80s, 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. As you can probably tell from our extensive list of sold inventory, these cars are back and more popular than ever; and the upswing in value and collectability for pristine, highly optioned examples shows no signs of slowing! Astute buyers are beginning to take advantage of the opportunity to sign the papers on the Trans Am's of their fond childhood memories before prices really begin to rise. And this awesome 1979 model, with its numbers matching W72 4-speed power-train, long list of desirable options and full documentation, is the perfect investment for a savvy buyer who wants to stash back one of the hottest collector cars on the market, or a hardcore Pontiac fan who just wants a car that'll provide years of fun!Included with the sale is a copy of this Trans Am's original build sheet. Below, I've laid out all the equipment listed on the build sheet; and for the sake of comparison, added the price when possible of the optional equipment from an online service in parentheses:* TGA: Tinted windshield with antenna* AU3: Power door locks ($86)* A01: Tinted glass ($64)* A31: Power windows ($132)*Ak1 : Color-coded seat belts* BS1: Insulator pack ($31)* B18: Custom interior ($108)* B77: Black windshield molding* B80: Roof drip moldings ($24)* B84: Black Bury M* B85: Belt reveal moldings ($26)* B89: Black backlight molding* B97: Rear-wheel spoilers* C49: Rear Defrog Electric* C60: Air conditioning ($529)* C95: Dome reading lamp ($19)* D35: Custom Mirror* D53: Hood applique ($95)* D55: Console* D80: Rear spoiler* D92: Driver's door handle tape stripe* GU5: 3.23 axle* G80: Posi-traction* JL1: Custom pedal pads*JL2 : Power Disc brakes* K15: Fuel vapor return lines* K81: 63 amp alternator* L78: 400 cubic inch 4-barrel V8 ($90)* M21: 4-speed close ratio transmission* NA5: Standard emissions* NK3: Formula steering wheel* N33: Tilt steering column ($75)* N65: Space Saver spare tire* N90: Aluminum wheels* QBX: GR70x15 BSW* TR9: Lamp group ($19)* T93: Blk Tail Lamps* UA1: Heavy duty battery ($21)* UP8: Rear speakers* 005: dual Horns* UN9: AM/FM Radio accommodation package* U17: Instrument panel gauges* U25: Luggage compartment lamp* U27: Instrument panel lamp* U28 Ash Tray Lamp* U29: Courtesy lamp*U58: Stereo Radio* U76: Windshield antenna* U80: Dual RR Spkrs* VK3: Frt Plate Brkt* V02: HD Cooling* WS4: Trans Am option*WW6 IP Gauge /Tach*WX3 : R/A Shaker hood* WS6: Trans Am Mark IV ($434)* WV6: Gold graphics* W72: Performance package* YR1: Front custom seats* YS1: Rear custom seat* YT1: Custom door trim*YJ8 : Aluminum Wheels*16P Gray accent Wheel*Y90: Custom Trim*Y92 :Lamp Group* 621: Camel Interior trim* 2DR: Trans AmAssembled at GM's Norwood Ohio manufacturing facility in 1978, this highly optioned WS6 Trans Am was delivered to one lucky customer back in 78, and today, it's a restored, and an exceptionally maintained second-generation F-body which wears 100% original body panels that are as solid and straight as the day they left the showroom 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 car presents as practically new and displays a spectacular coat of GM code 19U Starlite Black paint which gives it a slick, factory fresh appearance. This car was born white, with camel interior, and over the years somewhere along the way it was repainted to code 19U Starlite black. 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 ahead 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 pristine 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 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 VIN and a '78 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 correct Rochester 4 -barrel 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 motor, from the belt driven 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, and even a new battery.At the bottom of this Trans Am, a straight and clean 40-year-old undercarriage tell the story of excellent caretaking with nice floor pans that still display most of its factory undercoating. Behind the motor, an exclusive-to-the-W72 Borg Warner T10 close ratio manual transmission, which wears a correct partial VIN and a June of 1978 build date, sends power to the cars Posi-traction rear end which spins factory equipped 3.23 gears and still has its original tag hanging off the rear diff cover. As you can see from the build sheet this awesome Trans Am is equipped with Pontiac's legendary WS6 performance suspension which includes larger sway bars, better shocks and springs, a tighter steering gearbox and new for 1979 power front and rear disc brakes. And when combined with standard power steering, all that great hardware creates some pretty serious handling ability and greatly reduced stopping distances. In the middle of the car, a fresh mandrel bent from cat back dual exhaust system barks through new replacement mufflers. On the corners of the car, correct aluminum Pontiac snowflake wheels spin beefy BF GoodYear Eagle GT P255/60R15 radial TA's with raised white letter tires around pristine Trans Am center caps. Aesthetically, all the cars hardware and bushings appear to be in good shape; and mechanically, this Trans Am is ready to tear up the road as soon as it leaves our showroom!Swing open the cars infamously long doors and you'll find a correct deluxe interior that looks fantastic and displays hardly any signs of wear at all. The firm and comfortable custom seats are nice high backed pieces that feature soft cloth covers and sit on like-new camel color carpet which looks great. Between the seats, a clean tan console houses chrome switches for the cars power windows behind a chrome Hurst shifter; and above the seats, a stain-free headliner is stretched tight around the cars optional dome reading lamp. In front of the driver, an excellent looking engine turned dash houses crystal clear gauges, which include an optional tic-to-tachometer, above controls for heat and air conditioning, and an upgraded Delco-GM stereo. And at the sides of the seats, awesome tan door panels feature correct 'gold bird' emblems, chrome power door lock switches and fade-free armrests inside of pristine stainless trim. Connecting the driver to the road is a factory optioned Formula steering wheel that features a black rim and sits on an optional tilt steering column. And at the back of the cockpit, the cars pristine trunk sandwiches a correct Space Saver spare tire and canister, and a clean solid trunk floor.Like all of our investment grade cars, this Trans Am comes with extensive documentation. We have the car's copy of original build sheet, original owners manual, and a stack of Pontiac Historical Services paperwork which includes an original 1978 Pontiac Consumer Information packet.High-quality second generation Trans Ams are red-hot right now with the value of clean, unique factory correct cars climbing steadily each year. Enthusiasts are turning to cars like this to round out their collections or building entire collections around the cars of their childhood just like this one. With its numbers matching, pure Pontiac powertrain, fantastic body, infamous firebird livery, and a long list of options, this has to be one of the nicest '78 Trans Ams available!