Solid T-Top Driver: 1976 Pontiac Trans Am
Maybe I’m the odd one out here, but the seller of this 1976 Pontiac Trans Am throws out the idea of swapping the front section to the next design with quad headlights and turning this one into a Bandit clone. I always liked the dual round lights on the ‘76 model, and truly hope the next owner will decline the owner’s invitation to make any exterior mods, and just keep this cool F-Body looking how it’s supposed to.
Some information we get here regards a pending sale that fell through, which is said to be due to a body shop being too busy to repaint this T/A for a potential future owner. The body isn’t quite perfect, with the hood needing a slight alignment, plus the plastic bumper cover up front could also use some minor attention. However, other than removing the decals, unless I’m missing something else it doesn’t appear that a whole lot of additional prep work will be necessary before the exterior is about ready for a respray. Another option is to prolong doing anything outside, and instead focus on enjoying cruising around in this one for the foreseeable future.
For a driver, the interior seems to be adequate, although the dash cover is hiding a few cracks. The seller mentions a new Stereo and speakers, with the latter visible on the package tray, but there’s a vacancy where the radio should reside. Perhaps the photos were taken before it was installed, but it’s probably worth inquiring about. T-Tops are great when they aren’t leaking, but unfortunately, that’s not the case here, though the roof seals are stated as good. A no-cost solution for this issue is to keep this one in your garage and don’t drive it during rainy weather!
A 455 was still available in 1976, but this one’s got the 400 under the hood, which the seller says is running well. The intake and carb are Edelbrock units, and the automatic transmission is said to have been rebuilt. This 1976 Pontiac Trans Am is priced at $14,995 and can be found here on Craigslist in Kaysville, Utah. The seller isn’t willing to negotiate on his price, but I’m not finding the cost unreasonable for what you’re getting here. What do you think?
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Comments
I’m surprised that nobody has mentioned that this is a Y82 Special Edition Trans Am. They were the only Firebirds to have T-tops in 1976, and there weren’t many built. I don’t think updating the front end is a particularly good idea, but it would make it like the movie cars, which were 1976 models updated to 1977 styling.
I had a 1976 Trans Am with T-tops back in 1983. I didn’t realize it was a special model back in the day. I really liked it though.
The later styling detracts from the cars looks, in my humble opinion
You would have to change the entire doghouse, as the hood on 1976 and back follows the rounded headlights 3/4 of the way to the windshield. 1977 and forward had flat hoods as did my ’77 pictured. I like this ’76 with T-tops and would not touch anything other than cleanup and paint the engine compartment, new dash and interior parts needed, and perform a re-paint. This is a rare bird and deserves to be kept as is.
Love that car Cooter. I preferred the later front ends, like yours.
I loved it too Stan, but she got into a tussle with an oak tree and lost! I was 18 and that was my wakeup call for appreciating life.
Sorry about your car, Cooter. Good you came out with a life lesson. Background cars are interesting. Mid 70s Chevelle, ’73 Pontiac and 60s Mercury?
If it only had that optional 455 that would have me fired up ! The 400 is good just not as exciting
Hardly! Both engines for ’75-’76 have a ridiculous 7.6 to 1 compression ratio & the 455 has only 15!!!! more hp & 20 more ft lb of torque than the 400 to meet emissions! lol No wonder they got rid of it for ’77.
Although, you could not get a 3:23 rear with the 400(3:08 instead) – only with the 455 for ’75-76.
All you may notice, espec if a 400 car had no heavy a/c,p/w,radio vs a loaded 455 with a/c, etc. is that the 455 uses a lot more gas. lol
I agree that it’s more interesting as a ’76 TA/SE than a wannabe Bandit.
One quick comment on the T-tops. They All leaked. They were done by a third party, and their quality control sucked, to be frank. I bought a new ’77 Monte Carlo and had the dealer install a T top. While it made for a pretty stunning car (along with 8″ American Vectors and TA radials) I had to have the carpets replaced after two years. I’ve known quite a few TA owners over the course of time, and I have never met one that didn’t complain about leaks.
Could be my memory fading but weren’t some these nicknamed “Blackmagic” ?
This car came with a/c but the compressor and brackets are missing. Not a big deal.
I really like this car and wouldn’t change the sheet metal – I also dig the Bandit ‘77-‘78’s but find the ‘76 SE a refreshing change.
Fortunately it’s not a 4 speed car or I’d consider a flight to check it out on a lift to see how the t-tops have been to the floor pans – good or new seals typically will not stop water from coming in, just nature of the beast and why not all SE cars had the tops. The body shop backlog shouldn’t deter a buyer unless there was more work needed than just a respray. Personally I’d do my best to preserve and buff / spot in where needed. I don’t think that Y82 is stamped on the cowl tag so a quick dive for a build sheet should be in order, and since they seem to be a T/A person wonder if the current owner has ordered a PHS history?
All in all a great car and potentially rare car, could be a dream or a nightmare, just depends on how it is in person. GLWTS :-)
Weren’t these TAs called Blackmagic IIRC?
Sorry about the x2 question but the 1st one didn’t show up yesterday??
Has the rare rear window black rubber seal. It was only May-June ’76 if I recall correctly. It was covered in a POCI Smoke Signals article last year.