Why 1977-1978 Pontiac Trans Am Prices Are Skyrocketing
Вставка
- Опубліковано 11 січ 2023
- When the 1977-1978 Pontiac Trans Am arrived on the scene in the late-1970s, it created a frenzy. It was the new performance car that many wanted to own back in the day.
- Авто та транспорт
One of the 5 best looking cars. Of any brand or any era.
Agreed. And I'm from the UK.
71 better
I knew this day would come. I had a '77 Trans Am when I was in High School many years ago. Wish I still had it.
Ordered a ‘77 Trans Am W72 T/A 6.6 4-speed sans the hood chicken. Opened the hood scoop, hooker headers, Crane cam, re-jetted the Rochester 4B. Loved that car!
My first car was a black '78 Trans Am W72. 4-speed w/ Hurst shifter and Hurst t-tops, power doors & locks... It was loaded with the available options. By the time I got the car in '94, the t-tops leaked like crazy and the rear floor pans were rotting out and the suspension was shot, but I loved every minute that I owned it. My dad and I rebuilt the top of the engine with just a little bit of a cam (Erson), put a performer intake and carb on it, upgraded the dual exhaust. It was still pretty slow, but still a head turner. For a teenage kid, it was awesome. I didn't realize what I had at the time and sold it when I was 22. I wish I still had it.
Ultra cool
I hear you when you said, "I wish I still had it." I've owned about 130 cars so far in my lifetime. There's at least three of those that, I wish I still had it.
T-Tops leaked when they were new 😊 Dripped on many a time in my buddy’s new ‘78 403 automatic.
My first car was a 76 Firebird with a 400 and the formula hood. It was so rough the front leaf spring mount broke through the floorboard. I sent it to the scrap yard. Wish I had the money and knowledge that I have now to have fixed it.
I have the Esprit model 1978. I always liked Rockford files. I have had probably 40 cars, many classics. I am keeping this one. I had a customer who sent another intact Esprit to the wrecking yard. He bought another boat and his wife told him to get rid of it. I am different. She would be getting divorce papers.
Burt Reynolds and Jerry Reed made this car famous beyond belief! Great Tribute to an all American Car!
Run Bandit run
Yes they did and the publicity really helped Pontiac's sales. I think Bunky Knutson said GM sold 500,000 more Trans Ams alone after Smokey and the Bandit.
Two great stars! Big Jerry Reed fan here!
I can't believe he didn't mention Smokey and the Bandit.
@@bobhill3941 I would not be surprised if that was the plan.
Smokey and the bandit, and badass design with good horsepower for an otherwise dead time for muscle cars. Nuff said
Agree,, also a timeless design!!✌️
These cars ain't no joke, and just like fine wine it mellows with age.
Still my favorite car since I was a kid. My sisters aunt had a black 77-78 with the gold eagle on the hood. I remember she took us to see the movie Popeye in it and I fell in love.
My neighbor has a gold one in great condition, I always joke with him that I want to buy it.
Edit- I forgot to mention I was born in 77 along with my favorite body style.
I have great memories of these 2nd Gen F Body cars, my friend had a 79 Firebird, and I had a 77 Camaro back in 1980.
Smokey and the Bandit had a lot to do with the success of the 77-78 Trans Am. Great looking cars. I prefer the 70-73 Trans Ams for their cleaner styling, but the 77-78 are also stunning automobiles.
I am surprised the movie was not mentioned or shown in this video
Yep--Similar to Knight Rider having a lot to do with the success of the 1982 Trans-Am.
Pontiac may not be in production anymore but it's spirit will forever live on!!! 😇🔥🦅
The biggest mystery to me was the new front end treatment in 1979....James Garner was rumored to have preferred the 77/78 front end so they didn't update the Firebird for the last two seasons of the Rockford Files. I prefer the 77/78 front end myself.
I liked the '79 update. People seem to be split between the two versions.
All of them are wonderful, even my '83 T/A is one I'd love to have again.
I read that James Garner didn't like the 79 front nose at all so the 77-78 was used til the series ended.
The 79 to 81 front end was supposed to have hide away headlights....it was cut due to cost reasons and the 4 tunneled look was the compromise....I too whish thdy had made the 77 to 78 grills a little bit longer
I have a 79 but must admit I like the 77/78 front a little more. Having said that I like the earlier (GTO looking) front end the most.
I remember them well! Beautiful car
My wife and I drove 3 hours south last Saturday to just LOOK at a BEAUTIFUL 1977 Black and Gold Trans-Am…well…it’s being delivered to my home in a couple of days. Can’t WAIT!!!!
I remember them well. Gorgeous cars with a cool factor too. 😘👌
ALWAYS LOVED THE TRANS AM ! I bought a 1974 Pontiac Grand Prix. It was a great car . Pontiac was on a roll back then with almost every model they had !
The collector car craziness just continues.. There's so many companies that make RESTO PARTS PLEASE SAVE THEM DON'T CRUSH THEM...IVE HAD THE GIFT FROM GOD FOR ALMOST 50 YEARS OF BEING A AUTO TEC....IVE LOVED EVERY minute... I look for New WAYS to to enhance MY RESTORATIONS I WOULDN'T CHANGE ANYTHING.....GOD BLESS FROM LOUIE V
I bought a Gold Special Edition Trans Am June 7th, 1978. I still own it. Over 45 years and still like new. All original except for water pump, master cylinder, and tires. Less than 40,000 miles. 400 TA 6.6, 3.42 gears. and a four speed Super T10 transmission. Drove from Alberta, Canada to Reno Nevada the first year, and Las Vegas the next. Sits all winter, and is like a new car every summer. I used to race light to light against any challenger. Lost only three times. Love this car!
Thanks for the motivation. I have a 78 gold Y88 W72 WS6 4 spd about 70% restored. Engine core, body, paint and chassis are done. Now, about $10k and a few hundred hours to finish it. But like many it is very tough to find the money and time.
Sounds great, I also have a 78 y88 absolutely love it 🤘
i have a y88, but someone turned it into a drag car and ripped the 400 out to put a chevy v8 in...
have been a Pontiac powered junkie my entire life, planning a museum for them here in Arizona. my daily transportation is a '78 Y88 Gold TA . It has the good options- TA 6.6, 4 speed, 3.42, WS6, etc. I recently pulled out the ST-10 and replaced it with the new TKX tremec 5 speed. car has headers, duals, 50 series rubber, performer intake and a lump cam with roller rockers. total fun machine regardless of its value, I love this car!
I have 60s BFG rubber on my 79 TATA, are you running 50 series in the front also? with no rubbing issues?
i bought a y88 last year for 1k. unfortunately, the previous owner before the guy i bought it from(in louisiana) turned it into a drag car with a bbc, painted it red right over the original solar gold, and ripped the rear sway bar out. absolutely furious. im just gonna stick a 350 sbc in it and drive it.
The last muscle car of the '70s, like it or not, it's iconic. The design story of the bird itself is one of rebellion, very telling about the TA.🔥
200 h.p.
Lol
@@johnthonig8832 You obvs don't understand cars, culture & history. Go back to gaming, Junior.
@@laurat1129
Lol
I have owned a 65 Vette L79
327-350 since 1973
Stick to knitting, girl
These Pontiacs after 1971 were a joke
200-225 h.p.?
@@johnthonig8832 W/respect to the '65 'Vette, the TA may not be a real "muscle car", but it was the last holdout by the late 70s. That's my point. BTW, are you leaving this reply on every other comment here - or just desperate for female attention? Go troll someone else, old man.
@@laurat1129
☮️
I have a 43,000 mile 78 220 hp that is all original with a "test tube" in place of the cat (remember those) and it consistently runs the 1/4 in 14.7 to 14.8 at 92 - 93 mph. Quite nice for 1978👍
Agreed. The W72 horsepower was underrated by pontiac just as were the 73 & 74 455 Super Duty engines. My Stock 78 W72 runs consist mid 14s in the quarter. For a 3800 pound car that is well within the ballpark of many of the late 60s early 70s muscle cars.
Thats abouf 300 gross ,same as 1971 ,1972. The 400 4bbl 4speed cars ran about 14.7 with 3.23 gears
so do I - its so great
Love this car - 1977 - 1978 models with the T-top and snowflake wheels are the pinnacle of American motor design and functionality in my opinion. There are two in my local area which I see regularly. One in white with red leather and the other a stunning midnight blue. Wonderful machines. You can't help but smile when you see (or hear) them coming!
The first car I bought was a 78 T/A 400 with a Turbo 400!!!
I loved that car
1975 and later 2nd gen T/A's had Turbo-Hydramatic 350 automatic transmissions because the bigger turbo 400 trans wouldn't fit with a catalytic converter next to it.
I absolutely love the Trans Am. I had a 1996 TA and now have an uncommon 1998 W68 Y87 Firebird. After my wife's boss heard that I'm a Firebird fan, she told my wife that her and her sister had Firebirds back in the 80's. She went on to tell my wife that her sister still has her 1978 gold edition Trans Am in her garage, sitting under boxes. I may have an opportunity in the future to obtain that 78 gold TA.
I love ❤️ my 78 . The car attracts a lot of attention wherever it goes .
The Rockford Files cars were Formulas made to look like Esprits because Garner felt that the Formula was too expensive for a low end private eye to afford. But he wanted the performance of the Formula version for his driving stunts. They were also painted a custom bronze color not available from the factory.
I was fortunate enough to buy one back in 1983 when I was 19 years old! It was a Gold 78 6.6 that was loaded with every option. It had 30k original miles on the Pontiac 400! I've owned a lot of really nice sports cars through the years but none of them compared to how much I loved this car! They handled so well and was so comfortable to drive no matter how long the trip was!
The '77 "Bandit" T/A has been one of My favorite cars since I first saw it. The only other T/A I'd want would be the '69 White/Blue T/A.
It's always an exciting, happy suprise when oldcarmemories uploads a new video😊🇨🇦🇧🇲
Here, here!!!
I had an 82 TA in the new body. It had stick and the 305 v8. It had transmission problems, and the notorious flat cams in the 305 v8. But, man, mine was gorgeous and I still have nostalgia for that car. The new design was classy, and the WS 6 handling package was precise. It was the best handling car I have ever owned.
Late 2nd gen Camaro prices have gone stupid too. I have a 79 z28 4 speed.
I think it just shows that the 1st Gen F cars are the baby boomer cars and the 3rd Gen are the Gen X cars while the second and 4th Gen are now the darling of the millennials with $.
Pontiac Dealers said that when Smokey and the Bandit would air on regular TV, the next day there was a surge of TAs sales and inquiries. At any given time back in the late 70’s, the average Pontiac dealer would have between 25-50 Pontiac Firebirds in stock.
I can't WAIT for my 1989 Grand Prix to come back into style!!!
That could take a while.
If you are a car enthusiast, this channel is better than any cable TV documentary on the subject.
"Smoky and the Bandit" caused Trans Am sales to explode. Everybody wanted a black Trans Am with the gold trim. Back 20-25 years ago you could get these for pennies but now values are going to the moon. Cheap ones now are usually beaten up or have a lot of rust on them. I've looked around for a 1980-81 Trans Am Turbo with a bad engine that I could drop a 350 into but even those are hard to find.
It has curves and hips like a fine woman. What's not to like?
If you owned one of these in the late 70's or early 80's everyone would look twice when you went by. The car just stood out over everything else on the road.
Bring back great memories with my family '79 loaded with goodies in NYC...
Was bound to happen. People who were kids in late 70s are now in their 50s and have some momey to 🔥
I always wanted a Fire Chicken but was to young to drive back then.
I was 27 years old when I bought my new 79 black t-top WS6 Olds 403 automatic . I still own it. It needs restoring.
Let’s see a 27 year old buy a top of the line Camaro today
And not one mention of "The Bandit"? 🤔 She is still gorgeous!!
Great car, movie star, and even several songs inspiration !! The Firebird / Transam is definitively an icon!
This was a very well done video and analysis. The Trans Am was the most popular American performance car of that era going away. It's legendary status helped the nameplate survive through the early 2000's
I knew these cars when they were new and have one now. W72 had actual 260 hp at wheels. Day two exhaust and a distributor curve kit made a screamer 13.9. Then 40 thou off the heads, mild cam & springs, jets and needles and it would beat most any classic hipo muscle cars, guessing mid to low 13's.
It's good hearing from you again. I've missed your ASMR voice and the interesting information that you always give us.
Thank you.
Even though Jim Rockford drove a Firebird, the gold TransAm reminds me of that great show.😊
If I'm being honest, I really liked the '79-81 models better. I'd love to know how collectible they are vs. the '77-78 models. Nonetheless, I really love your content and always have. I hope your channel continues to grow by leaps and bounds.
Same.
History shows customers also liked the 1979 better seeing it set an all-time sales record never to be broken, I was hooked too way back in 1984 when I was lucky enough to spot and ultimately buy a 1979 10th anniversary TA with only 17,000 miles on the odometer. I fell in love with the HUGE multi colored superbird on the hood overflowing onto the fenders, the mirrored T-tops and the cool newly designed blacked out (full-length) rear tail lights,, one of 1817 made with the much more rare Pontiac 400 with the BorgWarner 4-speed. (The other 7500 Anniv models had the Olds 403 with the automatic trans),, I still own it today now with 70,156 miles. ✌️
@@yukonjack. Wow! What a great story and great car. I remember those and the black-out taillights. Yes, there weren't many at all. I'm glad to read that you still own it and enjoy it.
But you forgot one thing, the "superbird" on the hood, is a Phoenix. Hahaha! God bless.
@@discerningmind Thanks bud, and oh yes the mighty Phoenix,💪 rising from the ashes, this is true, I only say superbird on occasion not to confuse with the Mopar but because the bird is bigger than any before or after.... goodnight.✌️
Don’t worry, hype has also put them out of reach. Even a rusty roller is about 5 figures
2nd fastest car 1978 behind the Dodge Lil Red Express pickup! Loved Trans Ams ever since I seen Smokey & the Bandit filmed around my hometown area in Georgia the summer of '76 when I was a 12 yr old & have been lucky enough to have owned many Firebirds & T/As the past 44 yrs ✌💖☮
77-78 TAs were the best looking cars of the time. Bold and beautiful.
When I was a kid in the 70’s… yes, I’m old… the TA was THE CAR! I still have the Hotwheel 😂
Still evokes a little emotion in this old man!!😂
Oh thanks for that. Since I was a kid in the '60s. And you go calling yourself old.
@@discerningmind! At 52, I’ll own it already. No more Grecian Formula!
The good ol days😉we're not that old my friend,, although I do seem to be falling asleep a earlier!! ironically today's my birthday Jan 13 1966,, Btw I was eighteen when I bought mine.✌️
@@yukonjack. Somehow, I missed this comment of yours. Happy belated birthday, I hope it was good. You're nine years and a few months younger than me.
Keep doing well. And remember that your very best days may very well lay ahead of you.
What's funny is when I was a teenager in the early 2000's, the Trans Am was still the car to have! Probably not quite as dominant a cultural force as in the 70s, but LS1 Trans Ams were some of the most desirable cars when I was young. And they're proving to be one of the definitive muscle cars of my generation. Crazy that these cars were so good for so long.
I love the 79-81 T/As my moms had one new when I was a kid
My dream car is a 1979 nocturne blue WS6 W72 trans am
I know a guy that has that car for sale in upstate New York. He's the original owner.
My dad bought me a 1978 on his and my mom's wedding anniversary june28 1978. Gold special edition w/Ttops. Still have it. I love that car. Had so many good times in it.
So, why is the price going up? You never answered the headline for your video.
I was lucky enough to have three trans am's a 77 and 2 78' T/A's, I loved all three of them!
excellent and accurate video! thank you
Thanks for another great video
Only the best looking T/A
Had a 79 z28 it was cool but I really wanted a TA.
T/A =tit's&azz
They’re all beautiful cars. But for the 2nd generation Trans Am, I much prefer the pre-77’ front-end styling with the round headlights (beautiful example at 51s).
I love my 79 WS6. Always wanted a blue 78 with T-Tops!
No average price increases just nostalgia
Always great information!
Its not just the trans am but camaros too. Generally the second gen F body is going up in price. the later models doubly so. They were so common and so easily available they were treated poorly. Always blown up in films and shows. Now they are becoming comparatively rare. I have a 78 Camaro myself and its always getting looks even in its not so great condition .
I wanted one of these cars so bad back in the day. Got my DL in 1975 and then my sister's BF goes out and pays cash for a 1977 Trans Am. At least I got to drive it. I loved this car!!!
They're skyrocketing in price because people are grabbing all sorts of models as the collectible car market just keeps soaring higher and higher. Not a criticism at all, that's my generation Trans Am. I graduated HS in 1977. I like 'em, I wish I had one. It's the same in the vintage guitar market. A rising tide floats a whole lot of boats higher.
Well said.
It doesn't help prices (from buyers point of view) when in some markets like mine (Canada), asking prices for old cars are double the book sales values. Many have too much money and over pay for their dream car with impulse buys.
@@dandearborn727 The entire car market remains crazy. However, car prices are on track to be coming down by this summer based on the supply of new cars catching up and surpassing demand. Once that happens, the price of used cars will drop, and the vintage market will too.
Now, as long as our incompetent president (USA) doesn't foul things up making the national economy even worse.
Enjoyed!!!!
My biggest problem with these cars are fit and finish. I've never seen a Camaro or Trans Am from this era with their spoilers lining up.
Buy a Toyota!
Well said. I wanted a 77 so badly new. Every dealer had them but the fit and finish was really poor. Was massively disappointed. Not a Pontiac issue, a GM issue at that time.
I've built a 1/24 scale and 1/18 scale model kits of the 77 Bandit Trans Am . Both came out really decent I think.
2nd gens in general are skyrocketing
Because Gen X now has theor kids out of the house and some throw away money in bank and remembers being 7 and wanting one of these cars so bad they could taste it.
Here in the UK, it's 77-80 they're all sky high even the basket cases.
Another great video.
Very interesting and nice vid, thanks !
And listening to your text, I'm pretty sure it was about "Trans Am"s
First thing I think of the Trans Am is Smokey And The Bandit because the first movie had the best looking one
I bought a 78 Firebird brand new when I was 18
Those late 70s Trans Ams are hot looking cars and are so muscular and fast for their time.
The next classic American muscle car of the later times that should have its value increasing in bigger numbers soon is the Fox Body Mustang, with the 1987-1990 model years being the most valuable due to the exterior styling and the horsepower numbers of the 302.
They actually put the Oldsmobile 403 in a bunch of them cause they had the extra engines n were cheaper to get them then to build the 400 Pontiac at least from 77-78 and only know cause that’s what mine had so I did some research..
Gr8 video and history TY!!!
These were appreciated north of the US boarder in Canada. In my home town the Pontiac dealer was also a car guy through and through. He ordered lots of Firebirds & Trans AM models just because he liked what Pontiac built. He moved every car or truck he brought in. As for European cars many were underpowered even as they handled very well. I've always preferred domestic cars & trucks.
I think the era where American cars were cool is far gone. It's all plastic these days. Yes modern muscle cars handle better, massive performance but the old school stuff has soul. You would be hard pressed to beat old American muscle cars for coolness. Maybe an old Aston or Jag from the UK.
a few days turning a wrench, adding a bigger cam, head work, aluminum intake, headers, electric fan, and some 3.73 gears with a lil stall and you had a tire fryer that definitely was no slouch red light to red light or in the twistys.
I live in the northeast and the snowflake wheels did not hold up very well. The road salts caused them to pit and the paint to flake off. But oh, they looked great on those Florida cars.
So awesome!
Oh u did say it about the 403 guess I should watch the Whole video before Commenting!!!! 45 n still learning!!! Lol sorry n gr8 video my man!!
70-73 are the best looking.
Kind of glossed over and forgot a certain film there that actually made these even more valuable 🤔
We know how Dave loves to cover the Trans. That’s cool cuz we like them too.
I Like 1991 To 1993 Pontiac Firebird Formula Iconic Modern Muscle Car Thanks For Uploading
Thanks
Trans Am what's your pleasure?
Had a '78 Silver with light blue interior. But it had 400 on the shaker, only one I've seen. Still kick myself for selling it. Now I'm in my late 50's.
I've also notice the 4gen are skyrocketing too I so miss the Trans am
Dude, I know I miss them so much. My favorite car of all time are the Black LS1 4th gen Trans Ams. I was car shopping last year and my dad told me if I ever wanted to get the T/A I wanted back in hs I had better hurry. I didn't believe him about the prices shooting up. I was shocked when I started looking at them. But I coughed up the money and finally got my Black 2000 Ws6. I'm so happy with it. Trans Ams are amazing.
That’s are the best years looking amazing 🎉🎉
I love the '77-'78 Trans-Am, but the 1982-1992 model year Trans-Am is my favorite because of K.I.T.T.
The 1977-1978 Trans AM still looks a fresh design even 45 years later. These taken care of would outlast the plastic junk in the road. Did you GM premised Burt Reynolds a new Trans AM every year for life. but reigned on their offer when the bean counters came in. Burt Reynold and Smoky and The Bandit made this car famous. Id it wasn't for Smoky and thr Bandit Trans Am would be dead by 1980 due to CAFE (Corporate Average Fuel Economy)
And now you understand just why GM needs to bring these two nameplates back!
I sold these when they were new. Dealers were lucky if they received maybe two from the factory for the whole model year.
I think a Firebird Esprit in Copper Mist would sound good to me.
I’ve always said the 1977 and 1978 were the best but it was best in Black by far . My friends said to swap the outside headlights to the inside and it looked like a Corvette going down the road at night. I said just get a Corvette then. I love Corvettes 🙂🇺🇸
The garage queen of choice at home just so happens to be a white 1978 TRANS AM. Original 400 eng w/bunch upgrades. 650cfm Holley, Edelbrock Performer intake, ram-air (three) hydraulic cam, ram-air (four) rocker arms, Autotronics MSD HEI dist cap 8mm wires 6AL ignition amplifier, Autolite spark plugs, California tri-y headers, h-pipe,, Forty series turbo mufflers, trunk mtd Duralast Gold 900 cca battery, Holley elec fuel pump tank, Holley mechanical fuel pump eng, SCCA style aluminum rims 8 & 9 in wide by Western.