Worth Saving? 1976 Pontiac Trans Am
When it was young, this 1976 Pontiac Trans Am ticked so many great boxes that it seems almost hard to imagine questioning whether or not it’s even worth fixing. Fortunately, the seller is aware of the monumental task ahead of the future owner to get this one back to its former glory, so if you’ve got a widespread set of do-it-yourself skills and a spare drivetrain handy, maybe this one’s worth a look. This T/A is sitting in Llano, Texas, and can be spotted here on eBay, where the present bid of $570 has failed to reach the reserve.
In happier times, this Trans Am sported a 455 under the hood and a 4-speed manual transmission, which are both long gone. The seller doesn’t provide a photo of the engine compartment, so it’s unknown what the bay looks like, or how much work is needed in there before it’ll be ready for replacements to be dropped in. The seller mentions a positraction rear end, so hopefully, that’s still the same component this Pontiac was born with.
Black on black is a very desirable combo for a Trans Am of this vintage, but it’s been a long time since this one rocked a pleasant outside appearance, plus the hood is incorrect. With the amount of rust showing on the panels, there’s likely more lurking in areas that can’t be seen as easily, so expect quite a few sheet metal repairs and replacements on this one. The corrosion is not limited to the lower extremities either, as the area surrounding the back glass will need attention as well.
Unfortunately, things don’t improve much inside, with the passenger side bucket missing and the driver’s seat heavy on wear. I think it’s safe to say that just about every interior item is going to need replacing, including the floors, which seem to get worse the farther back you go. Even in this condition, the seller believes this one’s worth fixing, and based on pedigree I hope someone else agrees. One of the things I’m most curious about is where he may have set the reserve. Are you seeing any hope and potential here, or is it best to just let this one continue returning to the earth?
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Comments
Parts car.
Steve R
I don’t even see many parts that are worth saving.
Tilt column
Rear console
Rear spoiler
Shifter hump
Clutch pedals
Taillights
Rear bumper
Steering box
Bell housing
Shifter
F & R sway bars
Miscellaneous parts.
Steve R
“Unfortunately, things don’t improve much inside”
Stephens w the understatement lol 😂
This car’s metal is doing its best to return to whence it came.
Note to seller. Take the $570.
$570 for a tub with a vin, that’s about the max it’s worth to somebody? Probably.
Ashes to ashes, dust to dust…
It’s a Ruff one!!!
“No Lowballers, I know what I got”
It always amazes me that when some one has a car in this shape and say it is worth saving why don’t they save it and how could they let the car get in this bad of shape. With the extent of rust and all of the parts missing this is a parts car at best. Anyone who buys a car in this condition and has visions of restoring it is only kidding themselves. The money it would take to bring this back to its former glory I suspect you could easily buy one in very good shape and have money left over. Caveat Emptor… Let the buyer be ware.
Really rough doesn’t even have a T/A hood sad probably was pretty bad@ss in its day now only a handful of useful parts
Rust on wayward son.
you do not need cutoffs of sheet metal you need complete factory install panels from GM. everywhere one angle of sheet metal meets,, the other angle is just as needy…
maybe a vocational school would accept it .
how about a diorama ???
dip this one in a liquid acid bath you end up with a 10 penny nail…
It’s garbage. Maybe some parts but you have to pay me to come pick it up.