The Trans Am was already the best-selling model in the Firebird lineup in 1977, but the new model year paved the way for an even more impressive achievement reached in 1979. The Trans Am was on its way to total domination in the Firebird series, and ten years after its launch, it surpassed 117K units.
However, the 1977 Trans Am was also everybody’s favorite. Pontiac produced over 30K base Firebirds this year, while the Esprit increased to 34,548 units.
No model could match the Trans Am’s customer appetite, so the GM brand eventually built 68,745 units this year.
One of the Trans Ams that rolled off the assembly lines in 1977 landed on eBay not long ago. Its only mission is to get a complete restoration, albeit judging from the pictures, it’s not the kind of project aimed at the Average Joe.
The first and most obvious thing everybody must keep in mind when planning to buy this Trans Am is that the car comes with rust in all the typical places. The floors exhibit the same damage, and the owner did a great job of highlighting the rust in the shared photos. You should inspect them thoroughly, and if you believe this Trans Am is doable, you should check it out in person before committing to a purchase.
The car is “about complete,” eBay seller ARAUTOMACHINE reveals, adding that this Trans Am spent the last 12 years in the same spot. This explains a lot, including the rust on the floors, as a vehicle not moving for more than a decade is likely to exhibit undercarriage damage. It’s unclear if the car was parked outside or in a garage, but based on its condition, it’s safe to assume it’s been sleeping under the clear sky.
The owner says the biggest surprise happens under the hood, where buyers will find a Pontiac 400 HO engine. It’s paired with a 400 Turbo transmission, but the engine doesn’t run. A good mechanic should be able to decrypt more engine information with a glance under the hood, which is why an in-person inspection is strongly recommended.
The Trans Am looks doable at first glance, but its main selling point is the price. The car landed on eBay without a reserve, meaning whoever sends the top bid can take it home when the auction ends. The top offer today is $1,275, so the Trans Am is close to selling for iPhone money. It’ll indeed be a difficult restoration project, but at this price, it can also be used as a donor for another project.
The car is parked in Bremen, Kentucky, and it rolls freely to take it home on a trailer.