It is 1976, and the muscle car era had ceased to exist. It was not a good time to be an American performance car enthusiast. Pushing through in the shadows under the likes of Ford, Chevrolet, and Dodge, was Pontiac, and they were fighting tooth and nail to keep hope alive. Enter, the Firebird. The Firebird first hit the scene in 1967 as Pontiac’s answer to the Ford Mustang, and production continued for 35 years until 2002. While the biggest names in the muscle car game made big sacrifices in the mid-1970s, Pontiac held on as best they could, and this 1976 model is regarded as one of the best of their second generation. Cars magazine even gave the 1976 Trans Am the award for “Top Performance Car of the Year.”   This Special Edition model will make Firebird fans’ hearts flutter, as it has been cared for magnificently. Located in Simi Valley, California, it is listed at $25,500, and you can see more here on craigslist.

Unbeknownst to some, the 1976 Pontiac Trans Am model was one of the cars used in the 1977 film Smokey and the Bandit. The film has always been tied to the 1977 model, but a ’76 with a ’77 front bumper was used for a good portion of filming. A second-generation stud, the 1976 was no slouch in style. Even though performance took a hit across the auto world board, the Trans Am stood tall among a diminished muscle car lot. One look at this Trans Am and it’s safe to say that time has been on its’ side. Under the shaker hood, you will find the 455 V8 option showcased for the last time in 1976, as emissions restrictions tightened their grip. The 455 was a very distinct engine in the works for years, and it played a huge role in the legacies of the GTO and the Firebird. Though over time its’ power output had been stifled due to emissions standards, it still brought 330lb-ft of torque, and this bird has a Positraction rear end with 3.23:1 gearing. If desired, the 455 was built to withstand modifications to push out 500hp+.

Coupled with the beautiful and clean, classic black and gold exterior paint job, you will see that the interior shared the same scope of care. The vinyl seating is smooth with zero tearing, and the carpeting looks almost new. The bucket seating, leg room, air conditioning, and push-button radio will provide a great deal of comfort driving this classic. Going back to the exterior, all trim looks original and polished, and the car sits on the unmistakable 15″ gold-finished honeycomb wheels mounted with Radial T/A tires. Along with these features, you’ll also enjoy power steering, disc brakes, and the standard 4-speed manual transmission.

It will not be uncommon to find a similar Special Edition listing for almost twice this price, with rare birds with T-tops fetching even more. The seller states that the odometer reads 40K, and with a clean title in hand, and such an excellent condition vehicle, Pontiac fanciers might want to inquire quickly. Are you in the market for a show-ready Trans Am?