GS 163

So, I have come to the conclusion that I am going to be selling my midyear BB vert and am considering Bandit trans Am as a replacement. What should I be looking for in these cars? Not sure yet if I am looking for a numbers matching car or not. I do know that I want a nice one that I don't have to do any work up front on, don't mind maintenance, just not looking for a fixer upper.

Does anyone know anything about this one...

Trans Am

Does anyone know anything about these sellers here...

http://www.transamflorida.com/TRANSAMFORSALE.htm

I have always wanted one of these and it may now be the time to scratch that itch. Am also considering a resto modded '69 if I find the right one. Any thoughts would be appreciated.

leadfoot4

I had a '77 T/A, bought it new in Oct. of '76, and kept it until July of '01, when I traded it off for my '01 Corvette. It had, as the e-bay listing said, the "rare" Pontiac 400 and a 4 speed manual tranny.


It was a fun car to own, but in all honesty, the f-body build quality wasn't all that good back then. Rust issues appeared to be prevalent in the rear quarter panels, especially the passenger side. The '77s didn't have 4 wheel discs or the "dual" exhaust system, but the '78s had both.


I'm amazed at the prices posted by that Pontiac store in Florida. I sold mine in '01 for $8000. (it was stored winters, and had only 42,000 miles on it)

GS 163

So are you suggesting that a '78 may be a better buy than a '77? Are you also suggesting that the Pontiac store guys are out of their mind. I know that cars in general are worth what someone is willing to pay, but I honestly don't really know much about these cars and the prices seem to be somewhat all over the place.

At any rate, I still need to sell my mid year first. Does anyone else have any suggestions or info worth sharing?

leadfoot4

If you really have your heart set on one, and one with a Pontiac engine, yes, I'd look at '78 or '79s. The '79s with a Pontiac engine will be rare, however, as Pontiac stopped production of the 400 engine in '78, and stockpiled a couple thousand 400s for the '79 model year, available only with a 4 speed manual. Be prepared to spend some $$ for a good '79 4 speed car.

After those few 400s were gone, the Pontiac 301 was available for a couple of years, but it was a "lightweight" casting, POS, although the chassis "goodies" were still available.


On the other hand, if having a disc/drum set up (from the factory, anyway) doesn't bother you, the '76 and earlier cars were virtually identical, and could be had with a 455 Pontiac engine. One other thing, "Formula" Firebirds could be had with the T/A suspension, and 400 or 455 engines, just not all the scoops and side spats, and shaker hood. They were a sort of T/A in drag.....

Snoopysvet

Those 455s are long stroke Torque Monsters

avettelovertu

I've got a 1980 Turbo Trans Am, with a 4.9 engine. This is the gas crunch era, and GM emasculated the cars. Still looked fast, and the turbo helps, but not at all in the same class as the 455.

RJL1

Do a search on flea bay, there is a guy in either north or south carolina who rebuilds trans ams as well as mustangs to order. You can get a 4 speed or an auto, t-tops or hard top, the engine of your choice, colors you want, both inside and out. I was really gonna that route before I had to have my current GS. In a few years when I'm retired I'm definitely gonna get a T/A from them. Sorry I don't remember the actual site. You can google them as well.

1996Z15

If you like the looks of the '77 - '78 Trans Ams then definitely go with a WS6 equipped '78. If you're trying to get the "Bandit" look then you'd want one of the black and gold special editions.
I hear that they're re-making Smokey and the Bandit which may increase the collectibility of these cars when the movie comes out. That surge in collectibility may be short lived so, if you're looking to buy, you might want to do it soon.

If I were to buy one of these cars (77 - 78) I would want a 400 4 speed with no T-tops car. My parents had a '79 403 auto with T-tops and, while the car looked cool, it was a dog. The t-tops severely compromise of stiffness of the chassis and they are prone to leaking.

Good luck with your search; I hear there are some very knowledgeable people over on the Performance Years site who may be able to steer you in the right direction.

8388

He needs to first visit one of the Trans am forums and read up, cause that guy in north or south carolina has a really bad reputation of taking the cash.

8388

The later 70's T/A drive the best. The 455 cars are worth more especially the H.O and the SD. Keep in mind that by 1974 even the mighty 455 became anemic due to all the governmental bs. With the 400 Pontiac engines, Pontiac produced several versions, among them the ram air III and IV These are also rare and will fetch a good dollar. In the later 70's they made two versions of the 400, one made more power than the other and thus cars with the higher output 400 motors bring a higher premium (W72) (Chrome valve cover) Starting in 77 some were optioned with the Olds 403 (L80), while these won't fetch as much as a Pontiac 400 with a 4 speed, the Olds engine in my opinion was a much better engine and did not suffer from main bearing issues as did the Pontiacs. Because Pontiac did not want the Olds 403 engine making more power than their own 400, they de-tuned the 403 by lowering the suggested dist. timing and offering it with a lower numerical gear ratio till 1979., when the 403 was mated with the rear disc differential and 3:23 gears. In 79 the Pontiac 400 were left overs from 1978 and were sold only with the 4 speed option and 3:23 rear gear ratio. 80 and 81 were duds as the 301 pontiac and the 305 chevy's replaced the bigger cubes.

RJL1

That's some outstanding info right there. I'm actually gonna save this to disc for when I'm ready to buy something in a few years. I had a 79 black and gold edition with t-tops and a 4 speed when I was 18 and loved it. It was just a bit slow (had the lowley 301). Still a great and fun car.

Kebrock

Transamcountry is a good site for lots of info.

79 10th anniversary owner here.

1996Z15

I thought the '79's were offered with the Pontiac 400 or the Oldsmobile 403. The Pontiac motor was only offered as a 4 speed and the Olds 403 only came as an automatic.

I don't think your car, seeing as it had a 301, was a '79.

8388

Actually, in 1979 the Pontiac 301 and the Chevy 305 was an option. In 78, you could not order and buy a 400 ci in Kalifornia. The 78' T/A I currently own had to be ordered and purchased in a different state then shipped to California by the original owner because of the 400 ci.

RJL1

Yeah, it was a 79.

Mikeceli

Int the 70's I spent lots of time, lusting over Trans Ams, at the Pontiac dealers.

Approx. 12 years ago, I bought a 1979 "Y84 " , "Bandit" Trans Am. (Pontiac never actually called it "Bandit", but everyone else does).

My TA was bought new, in my town, by a Dad and given to his Son, as an inducment to remain in the family business (Pengrove Auto Dismantlers).

It's 403 AT, et all, is stock, except for a replacement "High Flow" catalitic convertor. A set of "flat top" pistons would raise the compression from the stock 8-1, to about 9-1. The 403 came w/ the SAME CAM as the Olds 350, WAY "under cammed"! Add head porting, dyno tune the stock distributor and carb, REALLY WAKES THIS MOTOR UP! (Not legal, here in cali).

I even have the VERY RARE, lifesize carboard Burt Reynolds "Bandit" that stood next to Y84's, in the Pontiac dealers!

At 104,xxx miles, it runs and drives very nice. Of my 9 vehicles, it is probably the last one, I would ever sell. (Not for sale, but could be bought)

slappy3347

I had a '79 Firebird Formula with the Olds 403 in it. It was rated at 185 HP and 320 torque. It ran pretty good even with over 200k miles on the original motor. Wish I still had it. Great car.

Don 79 TA

i'd suggest spending time on PerformanceYears forum
awesome pontiac forum

TA of florida has nice rides at what i consider great prices
their quality to me matches their prices
plus they are very knowledgeable
i spoke to them last year when i was pursuing cars

there is also a museum in VA or west VA
mcgloughlin i think
they specialize in 2nd gen TA's (although seemed later models)
VERY reasonable
and still has cars in the wrappers


Texas Trans AM and TA specialties are two other great sources

as for what to look for in Bandit models?
i don't know i don't really get into them to know all the details
i'm personally a Martinique Blue fan myself, just not paying almost 40k for a 2 ton slug
they aren't truly worth it to me

vbu2c5

I just picked up this 1978 for 17K, it has been restored with only a couple of things I still want to do to her. ( clutch effort is a little higher than I like and I want to detail the engine compartment ) The paint and interior quality are excellent pretty much everything has been gone through.

I took my time and found what I thought was a decent price on a good car. I've seen a few others in this price range that are exactly what you are looking for condition wise. I felt pretty much like you, I wanted a driver that was decent but still needed a few things.

Somehow I got lucky and ended up with this, has a keisler 5 speed, Sandon AC compressor, new WS6 wheels and tires, all new interior, heck even the clock works, not much on her that isn't new, good luck on finding one!

GS 163

Great looking car, I actually ended up in a '69 Z28 instead of the T/A that I was originally looking at/for.