The Pontiac Trans Am is a favorite among enthusiasts, but that doesn’t mean it can’t be improved upon. Now, one shop has revealed this gorgeous 1978 Pontiac Trans Am practically overflowing with custom touches and upgrades, as seen in the following 10-and-a-half minute feature video. Say hello to the Mullet Missile.
Built by Ryan’s Rod and Kustom out of South Carolina, this 1978 Pontiac Trans Am takes everything great about the original muscle car and elevates it with top-shelf upgrades and bespoke touches.
“We kinda wanted to take the cheesy ‘70s ‘plasticness’ out of a Trans Am,” the builder says. “It was a little gaudy and over-the-top at the time.”
As such, the entire body of the machine is made from metal, but still retains a lot of the factory design and lines. That said, the builders did give the 1978 Pontiac Trans Am a few nips and tucks, such as with the bumpers and fenders. The rear was also fitted with flush-mounted custom glass. The whole thing is covered in silver paint dubbed Donington Gray, which is in fact a factory BMW color.
Under the skin, this custom 1978 Pontiac Trans Am is underpinned by a Ridetech chassis, while the rear end was tubbed out and fitted with 325 tires. The wheels are mounted on custom one-off rollers in a familiar design, just plus-sized.
Up front, the square headlights were swapped with round projectors, while up top, the custom graphic includes some really tasty hand-painted details. More details are found in the cabin, such as hand-stitched red upholstery, which even covers the roll cage.
Under that custom graphic on the hood, we find a 6.0L LS V8, which looks absolutely immaculate cradled by this 1978 Pontiac Trans Am. Output is rated at 600 horsepower.
Now, this gorgeous custom 1978 Pontiac Trans Am is headed to the annual SEMA Show in Las Vegas. Check it out in detail in the feature video below:
Subscribe to GM Authority for more SEMA news, Pontiac Trans Am news, Pontiac news, and around-the-clock GM news coverage.
Comments
Nice car. Too bad it’s ruined with ANOTHER LS swap do something wild and keep a Pontiac mill in it.
Joe, when you build your own, you can put a Pontiac engine in it.
Why do people CONSTANTLY criticize they way someone builds THEIR own car?
It is NOT your car, it is HIS car and if he wants to put a (less expensive, more reliable, more power producing, easier-to-work-on) LS engine in it, that is HIS choice.
HE is paying for it.
I personally would have put an LS (6.2-7.0-7.4) in it and dressed it like a Pontiac 6.6 to (maybe) ease the criticism – and see if they would even notice… (doubtful)
Lol so you complain about what he said nice. Why do people constantly criticize what another person says?
I did. My 442 had the original w30 455 big block. My 84 C30 has a mildly built, factory m code 350 with engine pro 1.6:1 cromoly roller rockers, Weiand street warrior aluminum intake, 700cfm dual feed Holley and hooker headers. I understand the ease of an ls swap, and the easy horsepower. But it’s un-inspired. It’s overdone and it’s the easy way out. Also my opinion and unlike many with options I’ve put my money where my mouth is by owning, working on and choosing to keep my factory engine then improving it.
It Said All metal are flares metal as well. I too have owned My share of TA muscle and would rather have Pontiac Mill maybe a 421 super duty tri power!!! But still a Great car
This TA is straight-up nasty and I like how the builder used the Macho TA silver/red colors as well. She bad!!!
But, silver with red interior was a factory option. My 77 is silver with firethorn red interior. I just don’t really like the round headlights.
100% agreed.
Yes, those colors were a factory option for the TA. I was simply stating the Macho TA because as soon as I saw this car, it is what immediately came to my mind.
Yuck, to each their own but as someone who owned a 1977 Trans Am I like the factory original. And those round headlights? the original sealed beam rectangular ones sure looked better!
Whooo…that is a cold whip😳
WOW !!!!!!! ABSOLUTELY GORGEOUS!!!
When I was 18 I had a 1974 Formula 400 Firebird. It was the last year of the ram air hood scoop that went to the front of the hood. This is the one car I wish I still had now. I am now 58 years old and I’ve had the desire to own some American muscle so I recently bought a Dodge Challenger Scat Pack. It’s nice but I still wish i had my 74 Formula Firebird. I would like to know if this Trans Am is ever up for sale. This is the most awesome Trans Am I have ever seen. Great job guys!
The headlight change was a big miss for me.
Nicely done! Bad to the Bone Mullet Man! I’ve always liked the rectangle headlights of the late 70s early 80s but those round headlights behind that mesh screen looks like a Monster is getting ready to Attack! That TA is Sick in an awesome way! I bet a Blast behind the Wheel Bandit! Great job, very creative! Two thumbs up!
Another perfectly good Pontiac ruined by an LS swap. Put a butler Pontiac in it and have real horsepower and not some stupid crate motor any idiot can put in and buy. I wouldn’t give you five bucks for the car. Ruined the collector value totally
It Said All metal are flares metal as well. I too have owned My share of TA muscle and would rather have Pontiac Mill maybe a 421 super duty tri power!!! But still a Great car