14-Mile 1977 Pontiac Trans Am SE Is Harrisburg Auction Bound
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The Ford Mustang debuted in April of 1964 as a half-year model. The stunning success of the Mustang pushed General Motors to build the Chevy Camaro for 1967, and five months later, the Pontiac Firebird. The Pontiac Trans Am Performance and Appearance package bowed in March of 1969, appropriating its name from the Trans Am racing series. The first year of Trans Am production saw just 689 hardtops and eight convertibles built.
The Pontiac Trans Am quickly built itself a loyal following. When most other muscle and pony cars were succumbing to the waning horsepower of the Malaise Era, the Trans Am 455 Super Duty became the stuff of legend. By 1977, Trans Am sales were brisk, moving 68,745 units. Then came Smokey and the Bandit, the 1977 comedy/action film starring Burt Reynolds, Sally Field, Jerry Reid, Jackie Gleason, and the four-wheeled star of the show, a black 1977 Pontiac Trans Am with gold decals and “flaming chicken” on the hood. The following year, Pontiac sold 93,351 Trans Ams in 1978, and 117,078 in 1979, eclipsing Camaro sales for the first time.
The black with gold accents color scheme on the Pontiac Trans Am was first unveiled at the 1976 Chicago Auto Show. Pontiac Trans Am Regular Production Option Y82 debuted as part of a celebration of Pontiac’s fiftieth anniversary. Starlight Black paint with a gold Firebird on the hood and gold Trans Am emblems throughout the car were supposed to be accompanied by Hurst-developed T-tops, but production issues resulted in only some of the cars being so equipped.
The Y82 option would carry on for the 1977 Pontiac Trans Am model year. The package included the same Starlight Black paint, black and gold decals, gold pinstripes, a gold-spoke Formula steering wheel, gold-tone honeycomb wheels, and a gold aluminum machine-turned dash. The new year brought a styling refresh. There were now two rectangular headlights per side and a revamped shaker scoop.
The 6.6-liter V8 was standard fare for the Pontiac Trans Am, but in three different guises. The L78 400 cubic-inch V8 carried on from the previous year, the optional Pontiac W72 400 cube engine could be had for an additional cost, and the Oldsmobile-sourced L80 403 cubic-inch V8 was also available. The L78 400 was rated at 180 horsepower. The Olds 403, rated at 185 horsepower, was used in California and states that had high altitudes, as it could pass emissions when equipped with an A.I.R. pump. The W72 engine was fed by an 800 cfm Rochester Quadrajet carb, and was rated at 200 horsepower at a low 3,600 rpm. For the L78 and the L80, the hood shaker was adorned with a “6.6 Litre” decal. The “T/A 6.6” moniker was only applied to W72-optioned cars.
Our feature 1977 Pontiac Trans Am SE is an absolute time capsule, having covered just fourteen miles from new. It is a true Y82 Special Edition. It retains its numbers-matching 6.6-liter engine backed by a three-speed automatic transmission. All components are original to the car, and appear as if fresh from the showroom floor. The Trans Am is equipped with T-tops, air conditioning, Soft Ray tinted glass, Radial Tuned Suspension, rear defogger, cruise control, and Delco AM-FM radio. The door sills and pedals have been covered in protective tape. The engine bay and undercarriage are both well detailed. The gold honeycomb wheels wear the original Uniroyal tires.
Included in the sale are the partial window sticker, Hurst T-top bags, original jack and spare, dealer promo photo, sales brochure, Pontiac Historic Society documents, owner’s manual, and dealer pouch.
This like new 1977 Pontiac Trans Am will cross the Mecum Auctions block at their Harrisburg, Pennsylvania event taking place July 27th through the 30th.
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There’s no way, *no* way that you came from *my* loins. Soon as I get home, first thing I’m gonna do is punch yo mamma in da mouth! – Sheriff Buford T Justice
USA 1, Thats one of the many lines that cracked me up. Junior- ” Daddy my zippers stuck.”
You sounded TALLER on the radio…
I want a Diablo samish and a Dr Pepper and make fast I’m in a GD hurry.
There are some really SICK people on here lately.
I had a 74 super duty 455 TA for 18 years I should have kept it. loved that car.
Why are we really SICK, this is about a movie with one of the most beloved cars of that era. The Pontiac Trans Am. Who can deny that the movie was funny as hell, and it helped Trans Am sales? GM obviously had a part in it because all the cars in the movie and sequels were all GM cars. Either Pontiac or Cadilac.
I bought a new 78 with the W72 engine and WS6 suspension. I thought it was the coolest car in the world. I could write a book about all the fun adventures I had in that car. I’ve had a lot of nice cars, but the one I had the best time in, no question, the Trans Am.
I owned a ‘77 TA Bandit Special driven by Burt Reynolds, and it was a really special car. One of the hottest cars in Cobb County, GA for some time.
I owned a 76 TA SE Anniversary Edition. Bought it new in July 1976. Loved that car. Should’ve kept it.
I can honestly say that I have never owned one… in any color…
Dee, you don’t know what you missed. Fun car, gigantic engine bay, easy to work on. I loved revving the engine just to see the shaker scoop move. It was so cool to an eighteen-year-old kid.
Love the car and the movie quotes…thanks guys. Here’s a few more:
I only take my hat off for one thing and one thing only – Bandit
What the hell is the world coming to? – Sheriff BTJ
Trans AM outsold Z28 in 1979 model year, but Firebird did not outsale Camaro. I had a loaded 79 Z28, bright blue metallic, 1st new car I ever bought. Sold it to buy a “family car” when my daughter was born, a 1984 Monte Carlo SS! Great cars, great days and baby boomers loved them. Over 56,000 vettes bought. Still have my 79 L48 I bought with 20K miles on it in 87.
I had a 78, red that would fly that I got from my dad. Too much rust to save it. Traded it for a 79 bandit with all the gold. Repainted it one year on the 4th of July and a guy ran a yield sign and destroyed it. I’ve had an 84, 89, and now a 2002 WS 6 but still miss that 79.
As many “Smokey” fans know, the cars used in the making of the first movie were actually 1976 model year cars that were fitted with the new for ’77 nose. The 455 was still available in ’76, but gone for ’77. I wonder if the actual movie cars had 400’s or 455’s? I know the bridge jump car had a “nascar motor”, but no idea about the others?
I know this car. it was in my high school auto mechanics class. I’ve pulled it in and out of the shop…was never supposed to be sold…..we had a new instructor who didn’t care about it. and body was separated from front clip….glad to see it back together. would love to see it in person again.