Why 1977-1978 Pontiac Trans Am Prices Are Skyrocketing
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- Опубликовано: 27 сен 2024
- 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.
One of the 5 best looking cars. Of any brand or any era.
Agreed. And I'm from the UK.
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.
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.
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.
I have that same car, minus power windows. I'm pulling the motor soon.
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.
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 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.
Pontiac may not be in production anymore but it's spirit will forever live on!!! 😇🔥🦅
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.
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
☮️
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...
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
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.
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.
I love ❤️ my 78 . The car attracts a lot of attention wherever it goes .
Was bound to happen. People who were kids in late 70s are now in their 50s and have some momey to 🔥
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.
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.
I can't WAIT for my 1989 Grand Prix to come back into style!!!
That could take a while.
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.
It's always an exciting, happy suprise when oldcarmemories uploads a new video😊🇨🇦🇧🇲
Here, here!!!
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.
Thats my fiancés favorite year & color as well, 79 nocturne blue ttop with blue decals, I plan on buying a 78 black & gold w72 with fisher ttops, my 2nd favorite is the black & gold 79-81 ttop with the cutter wheels or whatever they call them off of the 81 s/e & pace cars but in gold like from bandit 2. Add a 73 sd455 in white w/blue decal, an 02 ttop ws6 in black or dark blue, & an 84 t/a in either black & gold or blue with the firebird wheels. & that's my dream t/a garage, would also like a black 68 gto in the collection. I plan on buying a black 78 within the year, & it would be nice if my fiance liked the black & gold so I could get her a 79 to match but she's stuck on the nocturne blue.
If you are a car enthusiast, this channel is better than any cable TV documentary on the subject.
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
Bring back great memories with my family '79 loaded with goodies in NYC...
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.
I always wanted a Fire Chicken but was to young to drive back then.
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.
Great car, movie star, and even several songs inspiration !! The Firebird / Transam is definitively an icon!
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
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.
Even though Jim Rockford drove a Firebird, the gold TransAm reminds me of that great show.😊
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
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 ✌💖☮
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.
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.
77-78 TAs were the best looking cars of the time. Bold and beautiful.
I love the 79-81 T/As my moms had one new when I was a kid
So, why is the price going up? You never answered the headline for your video.
No average price increases just nostalgia
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 was lucky enough to have three trans am's a 77 and 2 78' T/A's, I loved all three of them!
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!!!
I love my 79 WS6. Always wanted a blue 78 with T-Tops!
excellent and accurate video! thank you
Here in the UK, it's 77-80 they're all sky high even the basket cases.
Thanks for another great video
Trans Am what's your pleasure?
Kind of glossed over and forgot a certain film there that actually made these even more valuable 🤔
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.
Enjoyed!!!!
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.
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'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.
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!!!
And now you understand just why GM needs to bring these two nameplates back!
We know how Dave loves to cover the Trans. That’s cool cuz we like them too.
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)
firebird formula vs trans am
I’ve wanted a 1979 trans am my whole life I’m 53 now and still no trans am
I had a 1979 Silver Anniversary. Bought it in 1995 and it only has 32,000 GARAGED original miles on it. Original owner. And it had the 400 ci with the Hurst 4 speed. Got married in 2000 and My wife made me sell it. She told me to get rid of that "Red neck" car. She's my ex wife now and just bought one for $50k. I used every dime of her alimony money she had to pay me and bought one. Her jaw hit the floor when I used it to pick up the kids, it dropped even more when i told her it's worth more than her prized stupid BMW Convertible. Oh sweet justice!
I love the '77-'78 Trans-Am, but the 1982-1992 model year Trans-Am is my favorite because of K.I.T.T.
That’s are the best years looking amazing 🎉🎉
Always great information!
Let's be honest. The "rated" or true horsepower output for middle to late 1970s American cars was pathetic. Large displacement V8s in this time were equivalent to power output of 1960s and early 1970s 6 clynder engines. Of course this was due to the U.S. government's ridiculous emissions requirements.
I agree with you. Then when I got my '83 Trans Am, my first car with a computer (GMs CCC system) that SB Chev 305 H.O. put out a sweet 190 hp and with the 5-speed it sure put a lot of smiles on my face. I know 190 hp seems lame now, but back in the day right after the malaise, it was a new world.
When they first got computers into cars in '81 they sucked. In '82, better but still only 165-175 hp. But by mid '83 the computers were great; horsepower was up, and the malaise era was officially over with.
No they weren't. The W72's were almost the same as early 70's standard 400's. The main reason people think they were worse engines was because in 1971 they changed from measuring HP at the flywheel to the rear wheels. Putting a standard non R/A early 400 next to a 1978 W72, they are very similar engines.
I Like 1991 To 1993 Pontiac Firebird Formula Iconic Modern Muscle Car Thanks For Uploading
Another great video.
Alright, everybody's gotta take a shot or a hit every-time he says Trans Am.
So awesome!
Because the generation that wanted them when they were young now has money and most are retired now and have time and treasure to work on and restore them.
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!!
The bandit trans am in the movie was actually a 1976 trans am with a 77 nosecone as the 1977 trans am was not in production.... When the movie was in production true fact the bridge jump trans am after was totalled hal Needham did a lot of the stunts in smokey and the bandit
I wish he told us the model years he was talking about.
They just don’t make ‘em like that anymore. Those were the “good ole days.”
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.
Ditch the Holley, friend... A well set-up Q-jetwill outrun a Holley every time...
Americana at its finest, it was a different America 🇺🇸
Sally Field and a Black and Gold Trans Am, what every American boy dreamed about in the late 70s
1979-81 Trans Am was the best looking Trans Am of all time. Even today a real eye catcher.
Very interesting and nice vid, thanks !
And listening to your text, I'm pretty sure it was about "Trans Am"s
I cannot understand why the later 70's model Trans Am prices are skyrocketing. In my mind they're the least desirable with low horsepower engines. The cream of the crop are the 455-SD, 455-HO, 400-Ram Air III and IV.
Because this was the Bandit car!!
The best show off car in history
The Special Edition "Bandit" cars are skyrocketing. Unless its a "Bandit" car with t-tops, nobody cares. I was selling a 1977 base model Trans Am, black with the gold decals. True Trans Am just not a Y82 car. My grandpa was the second owner, buying it from his best friend (who bought it new) in 1985. The car was an original survivor with only 25k original miles. Absolutely zero rust and completely original. It took me a year to sell and I could only squeeze $20k out of it.
20K not bad, I mean it isn't an 87 Grand National!
They're gobbling everything up. This is just the latest thing on the conveyor belt to astronomical prices
When i was a kid you could still find Chevelles for 2 or 3. The same with old Camaros and older Corvettes. Mopars? Lol good luck Forget about that now.
I just picked up a Mayan Red 77 TA automatic with white interior and 28k on the clock. It's all original and is a true survivor. Car is a blast to drive!
Why are the prices sky rocketing???
Inflation. Duh.
My first car was a 78 TA.
Mine too. Wait until the economy craps out. The 180hp dogs are going to be worth the $15,000 they are actually worth, not $75,000
Those trans am handled decent i had a z28 it handled decent for a car in those a
What about the 7 liter version... 7.7 or 7.4 liter engine performance package?? I've only seen one back in the late 1980s in Canada.
Don't know why these later year seventies Trans-Ans prices are skyrocketing. They were slow compared to the 70-72's. I owned a '75 and '79 and both were really slow.The '75 had 2.56 resr grars too. Pretty psthetic. My choice for the the best T/A's would be the 70-72's with the 455 H.O. or 490 Ram Air 4 and the 73-74 455 S.D.'s. To me the 75-79's are just sheep in wolves clothing.
There are a lot of videos that have a lot of incorrect information and rubbish facts about the 2nd gen Firebirds. This is not one of them, the facts made about the engine options and packages were all very accurate and with great detail.
The front end of the '77-'78 Trans Am was beautiful. Unfortunately the 1979-'81 'Darth Vader' front end that followed not so much, taking away from the good looks of the car otherwise.
I still think Jim Rockford's Firebird (even though, or maybe BECAUSE it wasn't a Trans-am) was the prettiest of the Pontiacs that came out of that era
The regular Firebird was a nice-looking car, nothing wrong at all with those. I'd love to have a nice one now.
I actually prefer the '79-'81 because of the front nose. I had a super nice '79 T/A with only 66K on it....I miss that car
Let me guess,, you got married and had kids......✌️😉
@@yukonjack. No to both
@@justsumguy2u👍 I didn't either,, I have a hard enough time dealing with myself! 😂
They can keep their inflated used car prices. There's no worse investment than a car nobody can afford to buy from you.
I have a 79 Trans Am W72 Atlantis Blue,light blue doe skin interior 25k mile survivor POCI gold survivor winner for sale..