DKM Mecham Macho Trans Am #16

Make:	Pontiac
Model:	Trans Am
Type:	Coupe
Year:	1978
Mileage:	88342
VIN:	2W87Z8L107846
Color:	White
Engine:	400 W72
Cylinders:	8
Transmission:	Manual
Drive type:	RWD
Interior color:	Red
Vehicle Title:	Clear
Item location:	Santa Ana, California, United States

1978 Pontiac Trans Am Additional Info:

Macho T/A's were the hot tuner car of the late 70's, in the same vein as the Yenko, Baldwin Motion cars of a decade earlier. The DKM Macho T/A is a very cool and rare Trans Am. A total of 202 were made in 1978. The one you see here is #16 and is believed to be the one photographed at Phoenix International Raceway for the Macho brochure photo shoot. I had this discussion with Dennis Mecham (the man behind the DKM program) personally when he signed the glove box. This is what makes this Macho T/A one of the most rare ones out there.

It's all about the options with these cars, this #16 comes with the super rare lightweight lift off fiberglass hood, color matched roll bar, 4 wheel disc brakes (normally not available on a production Trans Am till the 1979 model year, but in fact could be had through the DKM program). All the other typical Macho performance upgrades including the paint work, Koni's, suspension work, and Hurst competition shifter are also included.

This Macho T/A was originally sold out of a Woodland Hills, CA Pontiac dealership. (I have the original owners # and he can speak to the day he drove it out of the showroom and can attest to it's history). The second owner, Chris Banning bought it in 1980 and had it till 2005. I am the 3rd owner. Chris Banning lived off of the infamous Mulholland Dr. in Los Angeles where the Macho shared a garage with his well known and notorious acid dipped, chopped roof, Porsche 911 RSR. In L.A. lore Chris was known as "King of the Hill" the fastest man in L.A. on Mulholland, in his 911 and authored a book on it titled, "The Mulholland Experience" (a great car guy read). It chronicles the 60's, 70's early 80's L.A. street racing scene all done on the hill, all done at night. This Macho made a couple of those runs at the hand of Chris and is the reason why the car has the upgraded 70's era Cibie halogen headlights.

I am the 3rd owner and have mostly just serviced it and done cosmetic preservation. The entire drive train is all numbers matching and I have all the reciepts dating back to the 80's. The car routinely passes the CA state smog test and has no drive-ability issues. I obtained a set of correct 70's era Recaro front seats (a then available Macho option) and had them covered in the correct upholstery just as the Macho T/A brochure offered. I also have the original seats which are in fine condition as well.

I was fortunate enough to have Macho #16 featured in Hemmings Muscle Machines magazine in 2008. The link is below and will tell you more about the history of Dennis Mecham's work, and this car.

https://www.hemmings.com/magazine/mus/2008/10/Macho-Poncho---1978-Pontiac-Trans-Am/1707978.html

Below is a link to an additional article by Hagerty Insurance covering how the Macho program came about, what it included, and a sale, including the pricing of one at auction earlier this year:

https://www.hagerty.com/articles-videos/articles/2018/02/08/macho-trans-am

Items of note:
-the interior and dash is excellent
-the paint is about 80% original and includes some chips and scuffs etc, its not perfect but very presentable. I decided to never do a repaint as I wanted to keep it original as that is the preferred method these days.
-The windshield was replace in the 90's
-The Hooker Headers, part of the Macho exhaust upgrade and still available through Hooker but were removed from the car in the 80's because of low clearance and stock exhaust manifolds (have receipt) are on it now the rest of the exhaust is fairly new with dual cats, The car has a great sound to it.
-The A/C system is complete but the compressor shaft seal went out a couple of years back.
-build sheet and all Macho documentation including letter of authenticity, official DKM Macho T/A Care and Operation Guide, and the "Holy Grail" the DKM Macho racing jacket will go with the car, finding one of these jackets (only available when the car was new) is close to impossible today and its perfect condition!

This Macho T/A has been in SoCal all its life and is rust free. Part of the Macho package was to include under coating before it left the dealer and it is all still there. The car runs and drives great. There are 1000's of black and gold T/A's out there versus only 202 Machos in 1978. I can almost guarantee you will be the only one at the next car show with a Macho. I myself have yet to see another one here in SoCal. Please call 714-620-5801 or message me if you have any questions I am very familiar with the DKM Macho T/A story. In the past I have also owned the last car Dennis Mecham built. I have a number of collector cars, and its time to make some room.

This is the right Macho at a fair market price, it's not going down in value.

Vehicle will not be available for pick up or shipping until payment is made in full with cashiers check or cleared wire transfer.