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1978 Black & Gold Y82 Special Edition Trans Am

The car made famous by the "Smokey and the Bandit" movies. This is a 1978 Y82 Special Edition - it has the Hurst T-Tops, and 400 CID Engine with a Borg Warner T-10, 4 speed manual transmission. Of the 93,341 Trans Ams made in 1978, only 489 had this combination of options making it somewhat unique - not necessarily rare, but unique.

Other options included most common options (at least these days) - shown on the invoice as:

  • A01 - Glass, All Windows Soft Ray
  • A31 - Power Windows
  • AU3 - Power Door Locks
  • C60 - Air Conditioning, Custom
  • B37 - Mats, Front & Rear Floor
  • Y92 - Lamp Group
  • B93 - Door Edge Guards
  • UN9 - Radio Accommodation Package
  • WS6 - Trans Am Special Performance Package
  • Y82 - Special Edition Trans Am

MSRP for this car was $8,363.00 with a dealer invoice amount of $6,954.29.

It's time to Get off my duff and do something with this car

This is a start to documenting the car and the restoration process. I bought this car on eBay back in early 2000, it's been parked under a cover since, but 2007 is the year to either get this fixed up and/or sell it. I haven't decided which yet - I have a couple of people that I have discussed selling it with, we've agreed on a price, but no one has stepped up to the plate yet. If I still own this by the end of April, I will strongly consider redoing it.

The mileage on this car is a bit rough at over 104K miles, but it is a well documented car. The title is still in the name of the original owner and the car has passed through one other person before I got it. I have PHS documentation on this car as well.

Photos

Please don't write me and ask why I take some of the photos I take - I took them to show someone, or so I can remember something - why else do people take photos? - doh!

Current Condition

A quick look at the photos tells some obvious things that have to be fixed.

  • Upholstery and Carpet
  • All 3 pieces of the front spoiler are here, but the right side is cracked pretty good
  • Paint, decals, stripes
  • All 4 wheel center caps are cracked
  • Wheels could use a redo as well
  • Headliner sag
  • Driver's Side arm Rest is pulled off the bolt at the top - typical.

I have not really started looking at the mechanical side of things, but I know of some things that need to be done, and can list a few things that I would want done just for safety.

  • Clutch slips badly - I already have a replacement for it, just need to install it.
  • Battery needs to be replaced
  • I would also do the following:
    • Brakes all the way around
    • Suspension Bushings, shocks, etc
    • Weather-stripping all over
    • Exhaust system
    • Belts, hoses, vacuum lines, etc.
  • If I keep the car, I would also rebuild the engine

Current Value

I am asking $12,000 for this car, as-is, where is, and the title paper work as-is. I have the papers from the guy I purchased it from, but have never transferred it. Here are some internet based pricing guides:

1978 PONTIAC/FIREBIRD TRANS AM
                               Dsp/HP Eng  Fair    Good     Exc   Show   Loan
2D HARDTOP 1977-78 400/180 V8 7,600 13,000 23,500 29,000 12,000

Add: W72 6.6 liter 400/220hp $700, SE $1k
Data updated June 2008.

So, worst case is $7,600 + $700 + $1,000 = $9,300