Hey guys. Recently, I've been tossing around the idea of maybe picking up a 78-81 Trans Am as strictly a weekend car (I'll stick withy my C5 for daily). Now I know these cars are known for being the official white-trash-mobile but that's kinda the fun of them, IMO. I have always loved the body style since I was a little kid, and thought it might be a fun weekend car to maybe do a little resto on is also if needed. I really want the one of the TAs with the reverse shaker and the 6.6L engine. What do you guys think? Are these things just an absolute POS that are not worth the time of day? Also what are the going rates for a "nice" (and I use the term liberally on these cars) one? What's CFOT's take?? Please keep the flames to a minimum.
I've had 2. My 78 was an awesome car and I regret ever parting with it! Get a 78 or 79 powered by the 400 Pontiac and not the 403 Oldsmobile. Easiest way to tell visually is that the oil filler on the Oldsmobird is at the top front of the engine. It's not that they're really bad cars. Just not all Pontiac. And slower. The 403 cars are also hampered by a best case 2.73 rear, usually peg-leg. The 403 Olds is a big bore small block Olds motor based off the 350. The 400's have 3.23 or 3.42, stick cars even got 3.73's. The old look at the sticker on the scoop won't work(6.6 Litre = 403 Olds, T/A-6.6 = 400 Pontiac). If the car has 15X8" snowflakes(identified by a 1" lip) it should be a W-72 car, 15X7's are snowflakes w/no lip and Rallye II's, those are base suspension-still very good even now. These cars are easy to work on and easy to modify, respond incredibly well to simple mods. Go for it!
I've got an 80 and i LOVE it its faster than my singray, get one with a 400 thats a 6.6 it doesn't take much to make them go fast, i've got a cam edelbrock intake a whole lot of other mods, you may turn heads in a vette but theres nothing better than hearin a pontiac at WOT!!!!
Correction ALL second gen Trans Am's had posi rear, including 403's.
I have a 79 "Y84" SE (Bandit) Trans Am. It has the Olds 403/AT, as was required in cali, in 1979. Sure, I wish it was a Pontiac 400, or 76 and earllier 455, but it's still a Kool car!
Of coures, it dosen't compare to my 2001 Corvette coupe. 23 years of advancing technology will do that!
I would recommend the purchase of a 1970-79 TA or Camaro. Fun to drive, easyier to work on than 3 gen F bodies and they have been appriciating! Find a nice one, where the seller is not tuned into their worth. Lots of them have been abused and monkey'ed with.
The TA's are starting to get LOT's of favorable responses, when you take them out! The kids seem to have re-discovered them!
I have an '81 Turbo T/A that I bought new. 47000 miles. Original everything. Still has the original tires on it. It's been in storage for the last 13 years, but I'm getting it ready to put on the road this spring. It ain't very fast, only a 301 CI, but it's all Pontiac. It's a great highway car. Had some good times in the old days, and hope to have more this summer. It also looks cool parked next to my '67 C2 Coupe. JMHO
Whatever you get, I wish you the best. Nothing like Vettes and T/A's
Get a clean one and it wont be considered a trailer trash car.. Umm the new trailer trash is 3rdgens and older 4th gens (LT1/V6). I mean you can buy a 250hp TPI 350,, thats decent running for 1500 bucks,, 800 without paint..
But its the cars becoming trash that makes them appreciate later...
The 81's are not considered desirable by many but most of the non-turbo four speed cars (and all of the california cars) came with the corporate 305 (and the WS6 suspension & disc brakes). These cars are already set up to bolt in a 383 or larger SBC, and if you are in an emissions state there are considerable stealth power improvement possibilities. It's not a poncho engine, but with the available upgrades they can run with the best of the 400's.
Here is my 77, and it lives in the garage with my vettes! It always gets more attention at the shows than the Corvettes! It is a stock special edition 6.6 and neither one of my vettes want to play with it! I say get one, and enjoy!
Here is my 77, and it lives in the garage with my vettes! It always gets more attention at the shows than the Corvettes! It is a stock special edition 6.6 and neither one of my vettes want to play with it! I say get one, and enjoy!
Very nice "Special Edition"...I always wished those 8" rims were available on the '77s, as I would have ordered a set on mine. Instead, I had to go to the aftermarket in order to get a set of 8" rims.
Here is my 77, and it lives in the garage with my vettes! It always gets more attention at the shows than the Corvettes! It is a stock special edition 6.6 and neither one of my vettes want to play with it! I say get one, and enjoy!
My ATF car !!! Even though they are dogs by todays standards they have a great look !! You knew what it was from a mile away, the good old days
No you don't!! Those 8" snowflakes look so much better!
I wouldn't put them back on, I would just like to have them. These cars are going up in value and I have yet to see a 77 at any of the large area car shows! The old car makes me feel young again, I had one in high school! Thanks for looking!
I had a 78 WS6 - had it for 10 years .... might have been one the best cars I have ever owned .... really should not have parted with it ... only 56K miles when I sold it ... never one single thing went wrong with it ... 400 T/A with a 4 speed - black on black with the screaming eagle ...
That car with a modded 400 would be very cool these days ...
Here is my 77, and it lives in the garage with my vettes! It always gets more attention at the shows than the Corvettes! It is a stock special edition 6.6 and neither one of my vettes want to play with it! I say get one, and enjoy!
Corvette Store
78-81 Trans Ams
2002 Z06
