1978 Pontiac
Firebird Trans Am 6.6 Litre
This
1978 Trans Am featuring the attractive ‘Hawk front’ headlamp arrangement was
supplied new by Kircher Pontiac, Inc, Fort Worth, Texas, and has had only two
Fort Worth owners since new, Robert Smith and Mark Brown, and has only recently
arrived in the UK. It’s a remarkably rust-free example, indeed, other than some
fairly light patination on the underside, as you would expect to find on a
36-year-old car, it’s impressively solid. Ostensibly an unrestored original
car, it has been the subject of some paintwork refurbishment over the years,
which has been blended in extremely well, with the Cameo White paint remaining
in excellent order, as is the Firebird bonnet decal that just has the odd
blemish. The bodywork is very straight, with no visible dents, dings or
scratches and only a few minor blemishes, though there is a small chip on the
front nearside front wing that will be remedied prior to sale. The smoked glass
T-Tops are also in excellent condition, and come complete with their original
Fisher emblem protective covers.
This 1978 Trans Am featuring the
attractive ‘Hawk front’ headlamp arrangement was supplied new by Kircher
Pontiac, Inc, Fort Worth, Texas
The
camel tan coloured custom bucket interior has stood the test of time pretty
well, though it’s believed the front seats have been retrimmed, and it’s also
probable that the black carpets have been replaced too. The headlining is in
excellent condition, and the ‘engine turned’ dashboard facia remains free of
any damage or scratches. The original GM/Delco AM/FM radio is still fitted in
the dashboard, and concealed behind the tuning numeral panel, there’s an
eight-track tape player that works perfectly, with Pioneer 100W speakers in the
rear parcel shelf that have been well fitted. The door cards are all in good
condition. On the road the Trans Am performed well, with 220bhp on tap,
acceleration was reasonably spirited, with smooth gearchanges via the automatic
transmission, and reassuringly the brakes were well up to the job with good
stopping action. What else was particularly pleasing was the nicely weighted
power steering which has no play or annoying vibration what so ever. The
exhaust system wasn’t too loud either, with just the right amount of V8 burble.
In fact there were a couple of holes in the system where it passes just above
the rear axle, but replacement pipework will soon to be fitted.
What else was particularly pleasing
was the nicely weighted power steering which has no play or annoying vibration
what so ever
The
car has recently emerged from Robin Gray’s Auto Pontiac emporium, where it has
undergone much recommissioning work, and a full service, the bill came to
£3150. This has included a UK light conversion, with very neat LED rear
indicators, replenishment of engine/gearbox/ brake fluids, replacement of brake
flexi hoses, etc, and a full pre-MOT inspection and rectification of any
problems. Most buyers seek as many options as possible, and this car does come
fully loaded. There’s a WS6 handling package with stiffer dampers, springs,
ARBs, wider wheels and tyres, and faster ratio steering. The W72 package
features an L78 6.6-litre engine rated at 220bhp, there are also T-Tops, air
conditioning, power- steering, brakes, windows, door locks, cruise control, a
tilt column and even the original build sheets have survived, along with a
massive file of bills from its life in the States.
The W72 package features an L78
6.6-litre engine rated at 220bhp, there are also T-Tops, air conditioning,
power- steering, brakes, windows, door locks, cruise control, a tilt column and
even the original build sheets have survived
