1978 Firebird Trans Am, Y88 Special Edition, Solar Gold

This Pontiac Firebird Trans Am is a three-owner Y88 Special Gold Edition with just 15,000 miles since a complete engine rebuild in 2010. 103k miles on chassis, but you wouldn't know it by looking at it. Meticulously well kept, this Trans Am is a numbers matching, well documented car. The Y88 Gold Special Edition Trans Am was a limited run, and was only available for a 3 month span, from November 1977 to February 1978. Only about 1,200 similarly optioned T-top, manual gearbox, gold editions were ever produced, making this a very rare bird.

This Y88 package specified a Special Edition gold paint job with Firebird graphics, a higher-output version of the Pontiac 400 engine, and gold styling cues throughout. The Y88 Gold Special Edition was the first introduction of the newly designed 5 color hood bird that became the Firebird standard in 1979. The seller has documented the mileage and retains the original bill of sale and dealer worksheet. Under his care for the last 6 years, the car was maintained with regular oil changes, always garaged, and driven about 1,600 miles per year. It is sold with a clean Montana title in the seller’s name.

The Anniversary Solar Gold metallic paint has medium-gloss 1970s sheen, and the overall look is very clean with few flaws. Few minor paint scratches do exist, more detailed photos upon request.

The brown and gold Firebird hood mural and Trans Am graphics are still bright and sharp. The seller notes a few small chips visible on the front and rear bumper as well as rock chips on fenders behind rear wheel wells, but notes no discoloration or fading even up close on body paint.

The Camel Tan interior is original apart from an aftermarket radio. The fabric seats show light discoloration, no rips or tears and the carpets are lightly faded, though the overall appearance is quite clean and well-preserved. The dash is in fair shape, and all gauges work appropriately. The seller notes that the A/C is currently inoperable.

The 6.6L (400ci) Pontiac V8 is the features a shaker scoop and dual exhaust. The factory headers have been replaced with aftermarket piping and stock emission controls were removed. The transmission is a manual Hurst T-10 four speed with limited-slip differential. The transmission has been rebuilt by a master mechanic in February of 2018, along with a new clutch (Documentation available).The engine bay remains unmolested, and original cowl data stamps remain in place. The seller notes that the master cylinder has been replaced in 2015.

The removable GOLD tinted glass Fisher T-Tops were new for 1978, and the glass here is defect free witha screaming chicken after-market graphic on back window. Rubber seals around the windows do not leak and show no cracking or excessive drying.

The 15×7″ gold-painted snowflake rims show no visible flaws, and the tires are new as of May 2018.

Rock chips behind rear wheels on fenders are present and shown in detail.

The original space saving spare, and vinyl T-top cases are included. The car was treated with undercoating protection from factory and the seller notes no corrosion issues. Vehicle was always garage kept, with the utmost care for longetivity.

Service records are sparse, but the chain-of-custody and mileage are documented back to the purchase of the vehicle. The original options sheet and dealer paperwork are also included, they have been laminated to ensure good quality.

This well-cared-for Trans Am with the one-year-only Y88 package represents one of the last large-displacement Firebirds produced by Pontiac before the debut of the F-body cars in 1982. This car is a proud survivor from a unique era in American automotive history. The last of the American muscle cars.