Mabey I missed it private seller or dealer? Thanks
Description: the full story
There are Low Miles No Miles cars...and then there are the Pontiacs that define an era. This 1978 Pontiac Trans Am W72 falls squarely into that category, showing just 26,103 miles and equipped with the combination enthusiasts search for most, the legendary W72 400 V8 backed by a factory 4-speed manual transmission.
Vehicle Overview
Finished in stunning Solar Gold over a Camel Tan interior, this 1978 Pontiac Trans Am is powered by its original W72-code 400 cubic-inch V8 paired with a factory 4-speed manual transmission sending power to the rear wheels. The odometer currently shows just 26,103 miles.
By 1978, the muscle car era was beginning to fade, but Pontiac refused to go quietly. The optional W72 Performance Package delivered the strongest-performing Trans Am available and has since become one of the most sought-after combinations of the second-generation Firebird.
According to the seller, this Trans Am remains approximately 90% original and has clearly benefited from careful long-term ownership. It retains its original drivetrain, highly original interior, and factory character throughout. Aside from minor touch-up work on the passenger-side quarter panel, the seller indicates the car has never required significant body or paint restoration. The car is also noted to never have had any rust or rust repair.
Story
While little is known about the car's ownership history from new, one thing is immediately apparent, it has spent its life with owners who understood exactly what they had.
Finding a genuine W72 400 4-speed Trans Am is becoming increasingly difficult. Finding one showing just over 26,000 miles that's remained largely original is another story entirely.
The current owner has added only about 100 miles during ownership, continuing the careful stewardship that has allowed this Pontiac to remain in such impressive condition today.
It's the kind of Trans Am enthusiasts hope to stumble across: honest, largely untouched, and still wearing the character that made these cars legendary.
Condition
This Trans Am presents exceptionally well inside and out.
The paint has an very good overall appearance. According to the seller, the only known paintwork consists of touch-up work on the passenger-side quarter panel. Normal scratches, minor blemishes, and rock chips of a 48 year old car wearing 90% original paint. A small paint blemish is also noted on the top of the driver's-side fender, which is documented in the gallery.
Mechanically, the seller reports no known issues. Recent maintenance includes fresh fluids, and the car is said to run and drive extremely well. The factory air conditioning system is present and will simply require a recharge to blow cold.
Perhaps the biggest surprise is underneath. The car is reported to have never had rust, and the undercarriage was recently dry-ice cleaned, revealing an exceptionally clean and well-preserved underside that reflects decades of careful ownership.
Overall, this is an outstanding, low-mile W72 Trans Am that strikes an excellent balance between originality, presentation, and drivability.
Highlights
- 26,103 miles shown
- Original W72-code 400 cubic-inch V8
- Factory 4-speed manual transmission
- Solar Gold exterior
- Camel Tan interior
- Approximately 90% original
- Original drivetrain
- Rust-free example
- Exceptionally clean dry-ice detailed undercarriage
- Recent fluid service
- Factory air conditioning
- Highly desirable W72 Performance Package
- Beautifully preserved overall presentation
Letter From The LMNM Team
Some cars don't need a giant hood bird to announce themselves.
This one has it anyway.
The 1978 Trans Am is one of those cars that instantly transports you back to the golden age of Pontiac performance. Whether you grew up watching Smokey and the Bandit, the rumble of a Pontiac V8, or memories of late-'70s muscle cars cruising Main Street, these cars have a presence that's impossible to ignore.
But what really makes this one special is the drivetrain.
W72 package, 400 V8, four-speed in the console
That's the combination enthusiasts have been chasing for decades.
Pair that with just over 26,000 miles, a beautiful Solar Gold over Camel Tan color combination, and one of the cleanest dry-ice detailed undercarriages we've seen, and you have a Trans Am that's becoming increasingly difficult to duplicate.
What we appreciate most is that this car hasn't lost its identity.
It hasn't been completely restored from the ground up.
It still feels like an original Trans Am, one that's simply been cared for exceptionally well throughout its life.
That's exactly the kind of car we love finding.
It's honest. It's beautifully preserved. And it's a reminder of why Pontiac continues to have one of the most passionate followings in the collector car world.
Your welcome. And thank you to you and John Kraft for setting up this deal. If your looking for a nice Trans Am or an exceptionally restored trans am John Kraft is the man!
Picking up car tommorow. Can’t wait.
This is all the money! Sell it to the man!
Keep us in the loop
Sounds good.
Would of thought that would bring it home
dang….
Hmmm
@johnkraft did my homework you are the Trans Am GURO , GLWTA
@seindyav8r here is the photo of the body tag. Unfortunately I am unable to get the picture of the transmission numbers at this moment but I can guarantee the transmission is 100% numbers matching.
@seindyav8r After further review, we have confirmed that the title we have on file matches the VIN shown in the vehicle photo. We confirmed there was a typo when the listing was originally posted. The correct VIN has now been updated and is displayed correctly. Thanks.
There appears to be a typo in the listing summary for the VIN. The last character appears to be a “5” on the VIN tag in the photo. The last character in the listing summary is a “3”. Please advise.
Are there also two digits separately on the right front of the engine near the water pump mount near the partial VIN stamping? Is the transmission also numbers matching? Can you post photos of these and also a photo of the body trim tag? Thanks
@seindyav8r yes the car is infact numbers matching. Here is the pic.
What are the auction fees,? does the clock reset after a certain time? Thanks
Do you have a photo showing the stamping on the engine block passenger side right front near water pump mount?
@brentwilson286 Yes they work
Does the tachometer and speedometer work?
@honda50 Yes, this car does have a reserve.
New to this auction site , assume there is a reserve on this TA unless otherwise noted . Thanks
@steve_mccullough thanks for the kind words!
If I was looking for any 2nd gen TA, @seller would be one of the only people I would contact. I have watched his inventory over the years and he has some of the best I’ve seen. They are always represented well online with nothing to hide. I don’t think I’ve ever heard of anyone being disappointed in a purchase. I have zero affiliation with John. I’ve come across his listings as I restored my 78. I wouldn’t hesitate to bid or purchase.
@honda50 Thanks for your interest in my T/A. I am a dealer who specializes in Trans Ams. Unfortunately, there isn’t any paperwork or a PHS report with the car. That said, based on many years of experience and extensive knowledge of these cars, I honestly believe this is a true original-mile survivor. The overall condition, originality, and how well the car has been preserved really speak for themselves.
@SmS-UT77 in the description it says dealer