The Trans Am was already on its way to a glorious end of the decade, as its production numbers increased significantly between 1976 and 1978. The 1979 model year witnessed a record 117K Trans Ams rolling off the assembly lines, and it’s safe to say that Pontiac’s investments in the previous releases paved the way for this historic achievement.
A 1978 Trans Am landed on eBay earlier this week thanks to seller babyjagswag, and its configuration hides a few surprises that brought home the bacon during the ’70s.
The car rolled off the assembly lines with the desirable Y88 package. It was a rare upgrade whose spec sheet was spearheaded by a gold paint that made the Trans Am look fabulous. The gold point was neither new nor unique, but the Y88 eventually became a collectors’ favorite thanks to its limited availability.
Few people remember it, but despite being produced for a whole year, the Y88 was available for only three months. The numbers available online are fairly controversial, but the owner of this Y88 claims only 1,858 examples left the factory in 1978.
Their Trans Am was one of these fantastic Pontiacs, being fitted with the option W72 engine rated at 220 horsepower. The engine still starts and runs, and you can tell the Trans Am has always been properly cared for by looking at its body.
However, the car landed online with a mix of good and bad news. The paint is said to be only 75% original, as the vehicle has already received some fixes, including on the front passenger quarter panel.
The Trans Am is no longer completely original, and the car comes with a new gas tank and a Magnaflow exhaust system.
However, the miles on the clock make it a desirable collectible, even if you’re looking for an all-original Y88 (which this Trans Am no longer isn’t). The odometer indicates only 17,674 miles, and they are all original to the car.
The digital fight is underway, but getting your hands on this car won’t be easy. The owner has also configured a reserve, so it’s unclear how high the bidding must go to take this Trans Am home. However, the top offer already surpasses $45K, and the reserve is still in place. I believe the reserve is set at approximately $50K, but you can contact the owner for additional information.
The race to own this Trans Am will end in approximately two days, so if you believe the car is worth a chance, you should arrange an in-person or third-party inspection before committing to a purchase. The chances are the vehicle will fail to sell this time, but I expect it to resurface on eBay in the coming weeks.