1978 Firebird Trans Am TA 6.6 220 hp 4-speed, AZ & CA Car, Same Owner 43 Years!

1978 Pontiac Trans Am Additional Info:

Please read the entire Description below before bidding or posting questions. Please especially noteTerms.The year was 1978. Disco was in full force, Saturday Night Fever was a box office hit, and during the preceding fall the model-year Pontiac Trans Am made its debut. Offered for your consideration is such a car. One of the last true muscle cars, it features the optional and relatively rare combination of the W72 Pontiac 400 cid V8 engine (rated 220 net horsepower, the highest for the model year) and Borg-Warner Super T10 4-speed transmission with factory Hurst shifter. Depending on the reference, somewhere between approximately 4,000 and 12,000 such cars were built. In short, this is a rare powerful yet refined car with room, ride and build quality not found in modern vehicles. It has lots of metal, uses no computers and can be worked on by someone with a general automotive skillset. Replacement parts, including replica parts, are generally available. I purchased it while living in Arizona in 1981 (such cars were not available in California), when the odometer showed 31K miles. I am an engineer who has given this car very good care during my 43 years of ownership. I have driven it easier than most grandmas (at least where I live) and have never abused it. During my ownership the car has always been garaged or covered, it has never been driven in snow, the seats have been covered and the car has never been wrecked. As can be appreciated from the pictures, it is in overall very good condition. With paint and minor mechanical repairs, it will be a fine street-legal driver. With more effort it can become a show car. In any event, it is a classic, iconic car you will be proud to own and drive, and one that will garner plenty of attention. Please read below for details; for a quick (under 2 minutes) overview and virtual test ride, watch the short video. I will be happy to provide additional information upon request. Following are details about the car.Engine: The W72 V8 was designed by the highly competent Pontiac engineers to provide excellent power on low-octane unleaded fuel while meeting the stringent emissions requirements of the period. It uses fixed spark timing (18 deg. BTDC), i.e., without vacuum advance except in the event of over-temp. This gives it stump-pulling torque at low RPM, for an exhilarating off-the-line experience. This engine is as I acquired it except for timing chain and intake manifold gasket replacement and several carburetor rebuilds. The radiator has also been replaced. I have maintained the emissions system so that the car is California street-legal, and it has consistently passed smog tests as shown. Within the last 2K miles I had the carburetor flow-tested, with very good results as shown. During that period, I also tested the compression, which as shown was excellent in all cylinders and with variation within +/- 4%. Spark plugs appear normal, with no oil or carbon fouling as shown. The spark plug wires should be replaced; a new set is included. The engine starts quickly and runs very well when cold and when hot, smooth and quiet with essentially no misfire, no knocking and great power. During warmup, there is moderate stumble on takeoff, which requires careful use of throttle and clutch to avoid stalling. I believe this indicates a minor choke adjustment issue.Clutch-Transmission-Rear End: the clutch was replaced at 75K miles. It works well except that when hot, there is moderate "grabbing" or chatter during engagement. This could indicate a need for flywheel resurfacing, or could simply be due to bad motor or transmission mounts. The transmission and Hurst shifter work very well in all gears. There is no abnormal noise, and shifts are smooth and positive. The reverse key-lock mechanism is intact. The rear end works well and is very quiet.Power Steering-Suspension: in good condition except that the upper A-arm bushings are worn and in need of replacement. The car drives and brakes straight with slight "looseness" due to the A-arm bushings. I installed gas shocks, which provide a firm ride. The power steering high-pressure hose has recently been replaced. There is slight sag in the rear leaf springs.Body: with the possible exception of the front bumper, the paint is the original lacquer, a beautiful shade of brown with lots of red. It is in good condition on the sides, but is cracked on the roof, where there is very light surface rust. The hood decal needs to be replaced. There is only one minor dent around the driver rear wheel well as shown in the pic. There is a rust pocket at the rear edge of the passenger rear wheel well as shown. The side emblems are missing (replicas are provided). Protection rails have been added to the doors, under which are minor parking-lot dings. The passenger door does not sag; the driver's door sags a bit but opens and closes fine (a hinge rebuild kit is included). The driver door outside handle has just been replaced. On the front bumper, there are some cracks and some paint is flaking off. Some paint has been eroded from corners and edges due to use of car covers. There is considerable paint chipping on the rear wheel spoilers, which were repainted. There is some leakage from the rear window into the trunk and rear deck. A former owner added a car alarm, which has been removed except that the key switch is still in the front fender (the alarm components are included). The original space-saver spare is in the trunk; the original inflation cannister is included, though it is probably no good. A cover has been placed over the original trunk mat.Interior: generally in very good to excellent condition. All original except that a tilt steering column has replaced the fixed original. I have never allowed smoking in this car, and ash tray appears as new, indicating same during former ownership.The seats have been covered during my ownership and are clean with no significant wear, stains or tears. Carpet has covered by factory mats during my ownership and shows minimal wear and soiling. Dash is very good with no cracks, and the factory instruments work except the clock, which should be repairable. The engine-turned metal panel is in excellent condition, and I have never used abrasive cleaners on it. The chrome plating on the shifter is excellent. Door skins (panels) are in excellent condition. Driver's armrest was recently replaced. Stereo is an aftermarket unit which partially works; a second speaker has been added to the rear deck. Console top has been recovered by a professional leather shop. Headliner was replaced once but has some splits. The upper stem of the passenger side kick panel is broken and there is some leakage of undercoat or similar dark substance onto the plastic rear side panels (but not onto the seat fabric) due to Arizona heat. The rear deck has damage from rear-window water leakage.Exhaust: original except for the mufflers, which I replaced with OEM equivalents. Original chrome splitter tips. The exhaust note is essentially factory, nicely resonant and just loud enough to positively impress. The original catalytic converter is healthy, as verified by the emissions test results. The exhaust pipes sometimes rattle against the frame, indicating a need for adjustment.Power Braking System: generally works well. Master cylinder has been recently replaced. The parking brake cable is broken (a replacement is included). Rear brake shoes will need to be replaced soon; replacement shoes and wheel cylinders are included.Heating-Air Conditioning: the heater core has been replaced. The fan may not function on the highest setting. When the air conditioner compressor is turned on, a fuse blows, indicating a short-circuit or bad compressor clutch magnet (this fuse also serves the tachometer). The AC system uses R12 Freon refrigerant and is likely in need of recharge or conversion to an updated refrigerant.Wheels-Tires: the tires have good tread and show normal wear, but are so old that they may not be safe for highway driving and should be replaced. Wheels are original except for center caps which are excellent reproductions. Locking wheel nuts are installed.Misc: The build sheet shown was found under the rear seat. I installed a trailer hitch that I used to tow a 300-pound catamaran over a three-year period. There are no liens or other limitations on title / title transfer.Extra items included: car alarm components, owner and shop manuals, build sheet, service records/receipts, sheepskin seat covers, floor mats, car cover, new replica side emblems, new rear brake cylinders and shoes, new spark plug wire set, new parking brake cable, new door hinge repair kit. Buyer assumes responsibility for inspection and determination of suitability of these items.Important: the emission controls on this car should not be defeated. Doing so could result in failure to pass smog tests, degraded performance and premature engine damage. The Pontiac engineers knew what they were doing and designed these controls for best performance, drivability and emissions compliance.Terms: Visual inspection at a location specified by seller is encouraged before bidding/purchase (but not after). Expense of professional inspection will be borne by buyer. Sorry NO TEST DRIVES due to insurance concerns. Test RIDES may be available at seller's discretion and scheduling. Please bid accordingly. $1,000.00 non-refundable deposit is due from winning bidder via PayPal within 48 hours of end of auction. Balance of purchase price is due via PayPal before or at time of pick up. Wire transfer arrangements may be possible at seller's discretion. Balance due must be paid in full before release of car/transfer of title. Seller cannot provide financing, but financing may be available via eBay. Car must be picked up (in or near zip 95128) within 14 days of end of auction. Buyer is responsible for transport and assumes all responsibility for damage or loss during and after pickup. Enclosed transport service is advised. Any smog check required for sale will be timely arranged and paid for by seller. While I believe them to be generally in sound condition, due to age this vehicle and the included items are offered without warranty express or implied. Thanks for looking, and happy bidding!