My 1978 Trans Am Test Drive and Review! WS6/W72, 400 4 Speed!
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 30 ก.ย. 2024
- The most special video for me to date, thank you all so much for watching and following my channel. This car is very special to me, my dad even handled a lot of the parts that are on this car while he worked at GM, and that Blue❤️❤️🇺🇲🇺🇲
Absolutely beautiful car! Love the colour. WS6, TA6.6, 3.42 gear ratio, with super T10 transmission! Perfect storm.
Thank you very much, you know your cars my friend:) Still can't believe I have it🙏🇺🇲
This is how a W72 sounds with the cat removed.
FYI: The NHRA dynoed the W72 at 260 hp."Old Car Memories" states the '79 W72 TA is the last real muscle car of the golden era.
@MarkRoberts-bj2me True, some of them in 78 even dynoed as high as 280, dad remembers some guys at the GM plant that had one. 260-280 was unheard of for any car in the late 70's lol, wish the 78 had rear disc brakes but they're pretty good for what they are, have a 91 RS Camaro with front disc rear drum and the Trans Am puts it to shame. California wouldn't allow them to be sold there, wouldn't wanna live there anyway, a shame too, beautiful places in Cali, and lots of car people.
I graduated in 1978 and loved seeing these cars new. Also, thanks to Smokey and the Bandit I was hooked. $6 grand was a lot of money back then - lol. One day, I was looking at a new Gold Special Edition '78 WS6 4 speed. I talked cars with the salesman and he actually offered to let me take a test drive. I'm sure he knew I probably wasn't going to buy it but he was cool for a 30 minute ride. Wish I could have bought it. I only went home with a brochure. Went off to college, got married and the dream faded. I still think the '78 TransAms look modern for 45 years old and in '78 they were ahead of their time. Your car is awesome and that blue is stunning. Thanks for posting!
Now thats a cool story, got to see one new. Wish I could have saw that my friend, I know how you feel. Saw this beautiful 1990 Corvette back when I was 19, no credit/not much money etc., got turned down, crappy feeling for sure. Thank you very much too, sure feel blessed to have the car, love talking with folks, especially ones who were there as when these were new! Super cool, thanks for making my morning today. Car people like you are the reason I do this🤝🇺🇲
That is One of the cleanest Martinique Blue '78s I've ever seen. Looks like it belongs on the Pontiac Showroom Floor.
I'm slowly restoring my '76 T/A 400. Getting all new parts for it.
It's white outside with the red bird, and white seats, door panels, and sun visors with Dark blue dash, console, carpet & seat belts. All original as well, so it's going to stay original. It's easier to find one that's been modified to play around with than another bone stock car.
Dang, white on white sounds awesome! Love it, and thank you so much, these sure are neat. Hope you get back in the driver's seat soon.
Yes.. the 76 BLACK & Gold TA , was what got me saving & ordering my first SPECIAL ORDER NEW:77 TA SE/Hurst Hatches loaded/ Black Velour/Tilt/Cruise……etc…….fun times……
Very few people realize how badass that car was. They handled better than anything else (American made) with the standard suspension. With the WS6 package, they were even better handling. That W72 motor was stouter than the 220 hp rating indicated. Quarter mile times for that car were in the mid 14 second range and on par with many of the muscle cars from the 60s and early 70s. With that package, it would walk off and leave the Z28, Corvette, or anything else in 78' and 79'. Nothing could touch it. It also looked better than anything else. I'd love to have one. I know exactly why that is your dream car. It's special. Good for you! That thing is righteous.
Thanks SO much my friend, really means a lot, I'm so thankful for it. You know your cars, it's a breath of fresh air to know someone else knows about the W72. I was shocked at how well it handled too, especially for something back in 78 haha. Once I got the timing correct and carb adjusted properly (dad was a 60's/70's street/track drag racer and taught me) she ran way stronger than I thought it would, 220hp was definitely another GM fib LOL, thanks for this comment, made my day:)
Awesome, Brother... I sold my last one in a long line a few years ago due to arthritis... "79 WS6, 4-speed, T-Top... The 400 was still whopping it out... Super tuned, with a good exhaust, these were bad ass, even for the late '70's...
@@lonmcq7317 Thank you much. Absolutely 😎❤️🇺🇲
@@Feral80sKid The thing most folks don't realize, is what a WS6 car can do in the corners... My best friend's mom and dad had a '76 455, and a '78 WS6 for family cars, lol... The WS6 will not run out of guts in the corners... This was back in the '70's, and I just fell in love.. We were able to take any corner , off-ramp, or whatever in the'78 at 3 times the posted speed... We were young and stupid, but that suspension was magic, and still is...I've had 5 of them, and it was a thrill every time...
@@lonmcq7317 Agreed! I couldn't believe the handling when I first took a turn in it, for anything 70's especially
She's beautiful! My first car in high school was a '77 Firebird Esprit Sky bird edition. She was taken away from me by a drunk driver while I was waiting at a stop light, so I feel your pain losing yours. Enjoy the ride!
Ah so sorry to hear about your Espirit, that sucks :/ I feel you believe me. Love the Espirit, thanks for sharing, get yourself another one my friend!❤ Appreciate your understanding, it sucks to lose a car like that, but I'm glad you're ok in the end.
I just saw another TH-camr who had 3 different Firebirds in a video. One was the Sky Bird, one was a Yellow Bird, and one was a Red Bird.
I don't think this is the same video, but this guy talks about all 3. And this Sky Bird allegedly belonged to Brittney Spears.
th-cam.com/video/tnkZAqz0HkE/w-d-xo.html
@@mr.intensity2685 Nice, if I had to pick one of those 3 it'd be the redbird, I like them all though.
My 78 had those same snowflake rims. Best looking rims I’ve ever seen. GM really f’d up shutting down Pontiac division.
Good choice going to a 5 speed in todays world you need that extra gear..plus upgrade to a 373 gear and that thing will wake right up..and cruise on the hiway at lower rpm.
I had a 1973..455 automatic. Buccaneer red. Then I had a 1979 white TA with the WS6 package..403 t-tops. Loved them both
Mate, I love that car. I live in Europe so the coolest thing we have here is a VW Golf, so in other words, we have nothing to dream about. Your car is beautiful.
Thank you SO much, really appreciate that my friend. Would love to drive this on some European twisty roads, you all have some good ones!
I had that car with t-tops. It was rotted from Chicago winters by the time I got it in ‘94. I kick myself every day for giving up on it. Beautiful car there! Thanks for sharing!
Thanks so much my friend, the Formula I had long ago was pretty crusty underneath too, hate the salt, sorry to hear about yours, I feel you.
@@Feral80sKid, hey boss , if you don't mind me asking what car is faster the 92 rs Camaro or the trans am ? . Just curious .
@@martinhernandez628 No prob, the Trans Am by a long shot. GM rated the W72 400 at 220hp, but NHRA actually dyno'ed them at 260-280hp, if the TA was the 403 it'd be close.
@@Feral80sKid , Cool ! , Thank you boss. Have a safe blessing day.
@@martinhernandez628 You too my friend
When these first came out with the Radial Tuned Suspension this was the best handling sports car in its day. The rear end can get sideways but when it straightens out, it locks in place. None of this fish tailing that cars back then did. Great Memories and love these birds
Great comment, it does handle surprisingly good for back then, and for now to a degree. Great memories here too my friend.
I would really like to get another firebird with a Pontiac 400 in it
This car is a great example of Pontiac's catch phrase, "Pontiac - We Build Excitement"
Absolutely 🔥❤️🤝 Great comment
Nice! I've owned fourth gen Firebirds for 23 years, but I also love second gens.
I love the 4th gens too, had a 2001 3.8 V6, red. Did the wheels in white and the letters on the side. Drove an 02 WS6, wicked car lol.
Nice TA Brian as in REALLY REALLY NICE! I have the almost identical twin. Mine has power windows, blue cloth seats and no AC. Bought it from the original owner last October. Mods to the engine from original are #13 heads, ram air 3 cam, headers, performer intake and a rare edelbrock performer rpm quadrajet carb. While not a fast car I can tell that mine is a little bit quicker than yours with those bolt ons added. Car is really minty but the paint is original and Im getting it re done soon. I have a tremec TKX 5 speed for it that will go in later this year when i get some time. Love the 1 year only Martinique blue color. Besides this one I have 4 other TAs I have collected over the years, a white 77, A Y88 gold 78, a black SE Y82 w72 400 4 speed 77, and a black/gold 79 I'm almost finished restoring and tweaking a little bit. Love looking over the hoods of my TAs when we're going down the road!
Thank you very, very much. Sounds awesome! Love the mods and the rare carb, super cool. Special cars, definitely a good collection you have, love it!
Nicest one I've seen, keep it!
Thank you, I'm sure gonna try.
oh the days when GM actually produced something decent
My Uncle Steve drove a 1978 Trans Am the same color off the the showroom floor and the difference was a blue color interior a 400 Oldsmobile engine. I remember washing it with him at night and that beautiful blue color turned into the most amazing color that I have ever seen a Purple Metallic Color.To me the 1978 Marquee Blue Trans Am is my favorite.
403 Oldsmobile.
That Also Powered The 1977 BUICK RIVIERA!
Nice > Best handling American car of the 70's - in 1979 A WS6 T/A Won Best handling car - Car and Driver Magazine test vs Corvette etc. W72 400 Best Pontiac engine since the 74 SD-455 - Hatari Racing did Win 4 NHRA Super Stock Championships with The W72 400 6X engine in 3rd and 4th Gen. T/A's 🏁🏆🏆🏆🏆😎👍
Good stuff, I'm still amazed cars like these were made at those exact times.
My friend bought it from the Pontiac dealer in Covington Kentucky 1979 Silver with red interior it was fast and we picked up a lot of girls with that car
Missed this comment sorry, that's a nice combo the silver on red, very cool:)
Had a 79 firebird that one had a 400 Pontiac with a Carter 4 barrel it was an automatic,had real duals on it my brother in law had a 79 t.a. 6.6. We raced them he had the 403 Olds/ mine had 4 wheel disc but the only time we were next to each other is when we lined up,I count believe how much faster that firebird was than his I don't know if it had anything extra added to it when I got it fun car to drive
Sounds like some great times:) My sister and I had 6th gen Camaro's we raced LOL, awesome. Yeah that 400 sounds like it ran strong, exhaust definitely helps them. The 403 was reliable/sounded good but GM really bogged them down. I ended up selling this one, really miss it and want another one myself, everything is so darn expensive now though, inflation sucks :/
Beautiful car my dream! That’s how you should enjoy it, thanks for the video good luck
Thank you very much, truly❤️🤝👍
Very nice, back in 84 I had a 1980 turbo trans am, did not keep it for long and two years ago I bought another 80 trans am but this time a pace car, it needs work but it rides so nice and is a head turner. Great video.
Hey thanks very much, I have always wanted to have a Turbo TA, the whole idea of a boosted Trans Am is so cool, I feel like they don't get enough credit. First car I ever drove was my dad's 79 Anniversary TA, lots of love for these cars:)
I drove a new black one off the showroom floor in England, AR in 77, 5,500..wish I still ad it..
Nice! Ahh I envy you lol
If God had a car it would be a Firebird. Im biased though , got a 73 250 3 speed man with only 32,000 on it
NICE, hahaha agreed, I like the 70-73 style best of all Firebird/TA.
In 1978 test drove a blue 400 formula,ended up buying a 78 camaro z28 loved that car but will admit the Pontiacs looked better.
Totally get it, dad and I are big Camaro heads too lol. He brought me home as an infant in the back of a yellow 79 Z28😎🤙 Totally envy you for being able to drive a brand new one lol
Forgot to compliment your video, smooth. Last camaro I had was a 2010ss with 6 speed manual. Tuned to 500hp you could run 55mph at 1100rpm,dude that's a3.73 rear. Incredible take off and good gas mileage. Had stainless headers and 3 inch ss corsa exhaust. By far fastest ride I've ever had. Rocketship.
@@greggraham3523 Thank you very much, I know my videos aren't pro or anything but I enjoy them, and meeting bad @$$ car people like you lol. I love the 5th gens, good friend of mine let me drive his with very similar mods, LOVED it, more roomey for taller guys too than the 6th gens. Really appreciate you watching🤝
I had a 78 Martinique Blue T/A with velour interior and T-Tops with the automatic....so it came with an Olds engine in it.......OUCH, so I ended up selling it.....pretty car though
A lovely blue for sure. The 403 is definitely reliable, but yeah, the late 70's were terrible to cars :(
Wonder what it's worth ? Probably $40,000...holy crap !!! They are for sale at $70,000 !!!
Lol yeah, I bought it and got real lucky on the timing, literally just before they went up. They skyrocketed from a year ago. Of course the one car I've always wanted, I'd hate myself if I did sell. But yeah you're right, been watching them, crazy.....
Wow! Fantastic! Reminds me of junior high when there was this kid who would be dropped off every day by his smokin' hot mom in a Martinique Blue 78 T/A! Hated that kid!! ;-)
Dad used to pick me up in middle school once in a while in a 79 Silver Anniversary TA, beat riding the Twinkie by a long shot lol
It has the same power as a 1971 400 4bbl with high flow duels ( factory) 220 net is 295 -300 gross .The 71 400 4bbl. Was rated at 300 gross.
I love how GM totally snuck this car in back then lol
Yep 280 hp 350+ tq through pos,i t10 supper 4spd you would be surprised what that thing will do in the right hands
It was in the right hands the day before I sold it, adjusted the linkage after the video, felt guilty for treating that way then lol, but yeah I was surprised. Handled way better than I thought too.
Looks like someone took very good care of it. I had black 78 but not a 4sd. New black paint and I probably washed it twice a week.
Thank you very much bro, used to wash my 78 in high school twice a week hahaha, sounds like a nice black one too. Wanna go back, way different (and better) world back then.
Sexy looking car. I've always thought that these look much better than the late 70s Camaro or terrible pinto based mustang 2. Also with the Pontiac or Olds 400 V8s it was the only real muscle cars being built at the time.
Absolutely, yeah the late 70's were pretty sad, agreed on all your comments! Liked the look of the late 70's Camaro's too but they had no decent performance :(
Saturday im suppsoed to be trading my 1996 7.3 diesel for a '78 trans am. Its my dream car and im super stoked. Ill let ya know how it goes
Wicked, huge congrats to you, I do understand, definitely let me know, happy for you!
Do you by chance have the part number for the K&N air cleaner lid and the element? I would like to increase the air flow on my 78 T/A as well. Awesome car!
Thanks so much:) I still have the boxes, I will get you the parts numbers within a day or 2
Great cars. But definitely not in the snow and rain. It's funny how Americas best handling car of the 70s is the absolute worst handling car in wet conditions. But I still love them.
Same here:) They're beautiful looking
Beautiful car brother, congrats!
Thanks so much! Love that Camaro in your pic pulling the wheels! 🤙🇺🇲
I had that same car except it had T-Tops and a light blue interior. I put 4.11 gears in it, a Ram Air IV cam, Holley carb and Holley street dominator intake. I left the entire rest of the engine stock and boy, what a rocket! Drove the wheels off it - Literally: I beat it pretty bad. Sold it in 1985. I had lots of Trans Ams & a rare 1981 Formula Turbo but that car was my favorite. Oh how I wish I never sold it!
Thats so cool, I totally hear you. I bet she did run fantastic! Pretty sad but I actually had dreams I found my Formula from high school and wanted to fix it up. Regretted getting rid of it for so long, I have to hang on to this one, you can always get yourself another Trans Am or Formula too my friend, and I hope you do:)
Love the car!
That would be almost exactly what my car would have looked like when it rolled off the line. Needed a full on restoration that has taken me almost 8 years to complete. Only need center caps now and im done, but all the repos are junk.
Nice, getting close my friend. They really are special. I feel the same way about a lot of repro stuff, too much Chinese junk out there.
You know they made these cars in more than one plant right? The odds are your dad didn’t build this one.
Correct, yeah dad technically was interior/exterior trim in Ohio, so he did have his hands on many parts on it regardless. He hated messing with the trim around windshield and rear glass, quite a few guys got racked pretty good by those pieces.
Even with an automatic transmission these are an absolute HOOT to go for a ride in. A friend of mine way back in 1988 had a 1976 TA White with red interior with automatic transmission. What a BLAST! Gas mileage was laughably bad though. He used to say he could burn through a half tank just ripping around a corner and that was hardly an exaggeration. LMAO! 🤣
xD Love the 76 style too, all of em. Love watching the old style gas guage move around with hills and turns lol
Just found your video Brian, congrats with your find here, this is a beauty and the exact combination of equipment that I would want myself. Enjoy!
Thank you very much my friend! Sure feel blessed to have it, love the Camaro in your TH-cam picture as well.
If it sounds great then you don't want fart masters! Maybe cherrybombs😂
😅😅Funny you say that lol, my 78 in high school had cherrybombs, I did like them. They were pretty quiet until you put your foot in the carburetor:D
Oh man! You should have cleaned that glaring bird shit off the hood!…lol
Beautiful T/A.
Thanks much, XD Damnit lol, I noticed it after the video, was hoping no one would see. No mutual respect for the bird, from the birds haha.
In 1979, for my 16th birthday, my dad bought me a 78 white with red velour interior with all the performance options. We put headers with true dual exhaust and better intake and carb. I had so much fun and I drove it till 1985 when some *(&^ stole it and destroyed. Still miss that car
Truly sorry to hear what happened to your car 🙏
Awesome car! I can relate... I had a 1973 Formula 400 while in the Navy in the mid-70's to '83.and regretted selling that car. This past month I purchased a 1971 Trans Am 455HO and it's a great feeling to own another!
Oh wow, that is my favorite Trans Am ever you have, awesome! Thank you so much, really glad you watched the video. 70-73 just blows me away, good looking cars.
Are you going to the Trans An Nationals in Dayton, OH, August 25-27th? Maybe I’ll see you there!
@@7gear642 Possibly, depends on my job. Never been definitely wanna try, really appreciate the invite my friend😎🤝
@@7gear642 , omg I would love to be able to go this year. I’ve seen some videos from there and it looks like a great event.
I couldn't help but spot that bird do do on the hood......its never fair
It isn't XD Yeah I noticed right after I uploaded and watched the video LOL, stupid birds, no respect for the Phoenix.
That was my first car in 78
No kidding.....that is too cool. My first new one I finally got at 37 years old, a 2017 Camaro SS.
TORNADO COUNTRY! (I'm Sorry.)
Hahaha😄😂🤣
1978 Formula never had a 350 Chev. engine.
Really glad you liked the video, I'm no youtube pro so that really means a lot, try to just make simple honest reviews. Probably just GM saving money, you could get a 305 Chevy engine in them too in 78, they felt lethargic compared to the 400 W72 though, but still reliable with potential, it was one year only for the Chevy 305/350 to be in a Firebird. I didn't know either for the longest time.
Very nice car. Looks great and sounds like it's a nice driver too.
Thank you very much, sure am happy to have it🙏❤️
What's county??
Is the trans am better than a formula??
In my opinion I'd have the Formula with the W72 package, very hard to find though. As far as better, imo the Trans Am for the better handling, both look awesome though.
I had a '77 with the 403 Olds motor, automatic and 2.41 rear axle. Great highway cruiser, 18-19 mpg.
Nice, the 403 is a very reliable motor. Dad had a 79 silver anniversary TA with the 403, it wouldn't quit lol, they sound really good too.
@@Feral80sKid : I sold that '77 in late 1980 when gasoline prices were going crazy.
It's cool to own a car that you know your father personally helped make. It just seems really cool.
It really is, and thank you, those guys were so cool. Dad used to take me inside the plant a lot back in the early 90's too, really good people.
I was 5 in 1978 and my cousin in law worked at a Pontiac/Honda dealership so he took me out in all sorts of new cars, by my favorite was the gold Y88 Trans Am. I'd love to have that blue as well.
Appreciate you commenting, must have been super cool having family at a dealership like that, wish I could've experienced something like that! Definitely love the Martinique Blue as well:)
@@Feral80sKid by the time he retired, he owned a Dodge, Chrysler Jeep Ram store. I bought my only new vehicle there. Had it 314,000 miles before I hit a deer.
@@mr.intensity2685 Dang what was the car? It sure lasted a long time, sorry to hear about the deer, glad you're ok at least.
Absolutely beautiful! The color combination is just incredible. My Dad's first brand new car was a 1977 Pontiac TransAm. It was black with the gold trim and it had red velvet interior. Then when he married my Mom in 79, he got her the 10th anniversary silver TransAm. But, of course those cars are long gone in this world somewhere. He did buy the first of the newest generation which was a 1993 all black with leather with the T-tops and drove it off the showroom floor and ended up selling it in 2000 with 40,000 miles for $12,500. And that was the end of it untill Father's day of 2018 and my two older brothers and little sister surprised him with a 1980 Pontiac TransAm which is a dark brown that almost looks black. But, it sorta just sits in the garage because he said he just cant get in and out of it as easy from when he was younger...lol But, we all are huge fans of them. Which the 82-92 model year he didn't much care for. Which I love all of them...lol. it's so cool that your Father had alot to do with them. So, if he says to keep it, I'd do just that. It's a beautiful car you got there and very rare. I bet its worth a fortune.
My girlfriend had a brown Ram Air IV when it was new. You don't see many brown ones.
I love all of them too, your dad sounds super cool. Sorry about responding late, TH-cam doesn't notify me often times. Thank you very much by the way^^
I have a blue 78 but it’s an automatic.
Still that's awesome
That's the car, that's the exact car I saw when I was 11 in 1978 at a Pontiac dealership in the center of the showroom. It was the most beautiful car I'd ever seen up to that time, I remember being transfixed by the color, that electric blue, a Blue Bandit I thought. My dad had a 71 Grand Prix, he was a Pontiac man, and he almost pulled the trigger and traded it in, it was oh so close. That would have been the coolest dad car in the entire world, certainly my neighborhood. But alas it was not meant to be, but I never forgot that moment in time, it looks just as cool today. Matter of fact I saw this exact car in 1/18 scale diecast in the same color for like $17 at Sam's Club and had to have it. It's funny how strong some memories can be, that was a long time ago, but the memory is fresh.
That's as cool a memory as it gets my friend, truly awesome. The way you described it was exactly what I said, an electric blue I said to dad when we went to test drive the 78 Formula I bought 26 years ago, almost to this day actually, what a coincidence we're talking about this now LOL. I fell in love with the color instantly, found that car in the old Auto Trader books we used to get, it had 42k miles, black interior, 350 4 speed, with Cragar SST wheels. ($4,100 I paid then) Sure wish we could get one now for that haha. Great comment, really made me smile🤝
@@Feral80sKid It's interesting, your video triggered a little bit more of the memory for me. I said that 1/18 model is the same, but it's not, the model has a black interior. That didn't mean much to me till I saw the blue interior in your car and I realized the one I saw that day had the blue interior, I'm sure of it. I hadn't occurred to me until I saw yours and it was like a little missing piece to the memory regained. It was all blue, the blueyist blue car I done ever seen. In the end I can't complain, that 71 Grand Prix was a very nice "personal luxury" car, small block 400. Interestingly that GPrix had a feature I've never seen in another GPrix ever, and that is your steering wheel. It had the Leather tilt Rally Steering wheel same as the Trans Am. That steering wheel made that Grand Prix I'm telling you. It couldn't have been an option or you'd see them, but I've never seen another. My theory is thus; the guy that owned the Pontiac dealership (where I saw your car) was a friend of my dads and my dad bought the car from him. I have to assume as the owner of a dealership he got a new car every year and customized it any way he wanted. An owner would be just the person that could have them install that steering wheel into his car, cause my dad bought it as is. That Trans Am steering wheel is still completely bad ass, they need to bring them back, F a bunch of air bags, screw safety. Wait what, no not that. lol. Damn sorry for the run on trip down memory lane. Cars, I love those damn things. Cheers.
@@robertkees6048 Don't be sorry at all:) I love talking cars with good people. I drive a 91 Camaro RS daily and I put on a wheel similar to a TA wheel, dumb first gen airbag was so warped the horn wouldn't work, ugly too, and first gen airbags can be dangerous. Sounds like one bad @$$ Grand Prix, the 71 looks sweet, nice body style, back when you could actually tell cars apart lol🤙
The wheels are the 8 inch deep dish first offered in 1979 WS6 Trans Am not 1978. Did you swap out the wheels ?
I have a 1979 Trans Am WS6 Platinum colour with black interior.
Done a lot of research about the wheels, they did first appear on 1978 WS6 Trans Ams, standard wheels in 78 were 15x7's, although I have heard 79 as well, lots of info out there, rear disc brakes weren't available until 79 I know. Sounds like a nice combo you have, wish this one had black interior with the blue.
@@Feral80sKid WS6 was first offered in 1979. Came with 4 wheel duck brakes.
@@oresteromito1473 I've got the original window sticker stating WS6 and W72 options bud, just Google search first year for WS6 Trans Am.
Even 45 years on these cars are still among the best looking cars on the road. I ordered a '78 Trans Am while I was still in High School, pretty similar spec to yours, W72 4 speed, WS6 Solar Gold with the Tan velour interior option, no T-tops. I did a few minor mods on mine like cutting out the scoop, performance air filter, headers and removal of the catalytic converter. When I decided to order it, I was between a '78 Corvette L82 4 speed and the Trans Am, after driving both, the Trans Am would leave the Corvette far behind, handled better, rode better and in my opinion looked better as well. I had a guy that built racing engines do a good tune on it and thar really woke the car up, not that it needed much anyway, but with the tune and full exhaust mods the car was the quickest and fastest of the day. Still great cars today, I know where it is now and I'd like to buy it back if I could convince the guy to sell. I did convert to the '79 rear disc brakes too.
That's awesome, I don't blame you for trying to get it back, I hope you do. Amazing how GM snuck this car out at the time lol. Just went out and started it up for the first time in 2 weeks, all this adulting crap in the way, I bet yours ran really strong. Definitely understand you missing your car, great history and thanks for sharing my friend.
Had a lot of "toys" since then, foreign, domestic, GM, Ford, you name it, I've probably had it, a couple Saleen Mustangs, Porsche, a few Corvettes, the current one being a 2019 ZO6/ZO7 coupe with 7 speed manual and I'm on a list for a 2024 or 2025 Corvette E-Ray. Honestly, I wish I could've kept every car I've owned, but if I could choose 3 I'd pick the '78 Trans Am WS6 W72 4 speed, the '95 Saleen S351R and my current '19 ZO6 with its mods. Saw a '78 Trans Am at a Cars and Coffe a couple months ago, Solar Gold like mine but with T-tops, the guy said it was the T/A 6.6 WS6 car, but looking at it the car had the wrong wheels (the similar but more narrow ones), it was an automatic but checking the engine code it was an L78, not a W72. Felt like calling the guy out, but not really cool to do, so to each his own I guess, I know it wasn't what he said it was.@@Feral80sKid
@@thomaskirk9341 Those are probably my 3 picks as well lol. Should have done a review on dad's 19 Z06, those cars are insane quick. I know what you mean about some folks, hard to bite your tongue haha. That e-ray will be sweet too I'm sure, C8 catches some flak but I love them too, had a 2021 1lt for a bit, wonderful machine! Wish I could have kept a few too, oh to be Jay Leno.😁
@@Feral80sKid I'd kinda like to be Jay Leno too, I think I've done OK, but I'm most definitely not on his level. My 19 ZO6 has some simple bolt-ons that really make a big difference for not a lot of money, I have ported 103mm throttle body, ported blower, long tube headers, intake, lower pulley, x-pipe high energy coil packs and wires and a 93 octane tune. For what I spent on the mods, the dyno numbers were insane, and the car drives just like stock until you drop the hammer. The '78 Tans Am was a lot like that, the performance was already there, but a few simple mods really woke it up, but didn't change the driving experience. I also had a '76 Trans Am 455 4 speed, but the '78 would run rings around it.
Hey what is that factory color name?
Howdy:) It's a 1978 only color, Martinique Blue💙💙
Just toss me the keys please!! MY DREAM CAR!! 😍🔥🤟🏾🥳👍🏾😎
Glad you like it, took me so long to get one, my life is half over already, gotta live while we're alive❤️🤝
@@Feral80sKid Very true! 😎👍🏾
Nice car Brian , I am restoring a 78 4spd Trans am right now. Hope it turns out as nice as yours.
Really appreciate that my friend. Is that white one in your profile picture yours? Checked out one of your body work videos, looking real nice so far, can tell you care about doing it right.❤️😎
@@Feral80sKid the one in my profile is the 73 Trans am I built. Took me 10 years. Rotisserie restoration. I am now restoring a red 4sp TA. Trying to post some TH-cam videos on this one.
My sister had one just like this, same color. She totaled it after leaving a bar, she was a party girl. 🥳
Major bummer :( hope she was ok at least
@@Feral80sKid she survived with minor injuries and a drunk driving citation. I still have the sales brochures and owners manuals for her car. 2W87ZN212237.
nice ear hair video
@@conantheagrarian Must have been a full moon that night I bet, then I'm not like I am on the video AT ALL. Watch closely near the beginning for the bird $h!t on the hood too while you're at it.
OMG. I had that exact car back in 1987, except my Chicken was gone for some reason. Sweet car.
NICE, and thank you very much. Super neat cars.
Lil Kim USA Sun
Absolutely love ❤️ it. Love the color and the options.
TY very much
Lookswise still my favourite car to this very day. They don't make em like this anymore. Happy you're so happy to have one! Just seeing it drive and hearing it is joy :)
No they sure don't lol, thank you so much :-)
My exact car. I hate my ex wife.
Been there and bought the t-shirt, then I burned the thing :/
Beautiful. Love the Martinique blue! Nice that its a "true" Pontiac.
Thanks very much my friend❤️😎🤙
@@Feral80sKid I just picked up a 1979 WS6 W72 and I'm as happy with mine as you are with yours!
@@dos0711 Awesome! Love how the 79 has rear disc brakes, huge congrats, what a great running and handling car, especially for the late 1970's, I had no idea it would handle like that lol 😳
Beautiful. Is it for sale
Thank you very much:) I will be selling it soon, garage needs a new roof. I have $42k in the car, I'd have to be close to that.
Beautiful T/A!
Thanks very much*..*
Love the car by the way
Thank you very much
Did the car have blacked out chrome trim around the windows when new or did it flake off?
Good question. This one didn't, as far as I know they didn't start doing that until 1979, not 100% on that though. I know a lot of the special editions did have that blacked out trim.
@@Feral80sKid my father bought a new black and gold TA in 77 and by 79 it was already starting to flake off. I remember because I used to pull the flakes off. My father really didn’t drive the car much after 78 because of the bandit movie and it just sat on the street. In the baking Colorado sun.
@@IcelanderUSer Pretty neat you got to see when he bought it new. My dad didn't have a garage either for a long while, parents separated when I was 8. Amazing what the values are on those now, dad had a 69 COPO Camaro he bought for $3,500 in the early 70's, sold it for $5,000 after a year. If only......
My best friend bought a brand new one. In nineteen seventy nine silver with red interior
Beeeautiful
Thank you very much:)
I kept watching to see what that spot on the hood was. That bird sure made his spot!
Lol sure did, didn't even catch that until I uploaded the video 🤦
Beautiful T/A. Love that blue. 77’ and 78’ is the best looking in that gen. I’m not too crazy with the nose of the 79’ and up.
@@therealmcoy Thank you so much, this one is very special to me.
Bring it to the Trans Am Nationals in Dayton. Would love to see it there! Hopefully mine will be ready to bring as well.
Saw yours on your channel, very nice as well. I've never been to the Nationals, appreciate the invite very much. If I don't have to work one of those days I'm definitely gonna try:) By the way, do you have a 700r4/overdrive unit in yours? Lol at 70mph mine is at 3000 rpms, for shows far away I gotta bring em down some.
No I've got the original TH-350 in it. It's been refreshed. The car originally had 2.42 hears in it but I'm swapping those out for 3.08 gears. I wanted a little more performance without sacrificing too much on the highway. I'll let you know how that goes. The original engine has been rebuilt and warmed up a bit with a new crankshaft and comp cam. It's almost done. @@Feral80sKid
@@tomwilliams-norwoodta5579 That's a great way to bring the car up, should do really well with 3.08 on freeway, and WAY better than your previous gears. I need an extra gear bad lol
I'll keep you posted on how it runs. You never know, an overdrive might be in my future as well.@@Feral80sKid
I turned 18 in 1978 and got a 78 automatic 6.6 litter TA... I had a blast driving that car for 3 years... every time I drove it I seemed to have an adventure! I enrolled at Devry in 81 and decided to sell it and pick up a Jeep Renegade...also the Tran am cost $6100.00 purchased from a Oshawa Ontario Canada Pontiac dealer.
Love the memory my friend, I feel you. My Formula back then with 44k miles cost me $4,100, had old school Cragar SST's. Got the same ones on the Trans Am now but kept originals. Sure wish I could find another for that price that wasn't a basketcase haha.
Gorgeous. 🥰🥰
Thank you my friend🤝❤️😃
Beautiful car, When I was a senior way back in 91 I had a 78 Silver anniversary edition that I traded for a beat up old ford truck, should have kept it in storage, Back then it was just an aging car now there getting to be worth something, hang onto that one
Thanks very much, yeah I remember being able to pick these up for $10k or under, wish we could get em for that now. Paid $4,100 for the 78 Formula I had in HS, 45k miles, 350 4 speed.
That's bad ass
TY very much brotha 🤝
Now 69 i still own 1976 trans Am 4 spd , in 77 Smokey and the bandit came out, i was furious that new front end was gorgeous, so i change front clip and hood, the Car now has BBC 509 dyno 665hp 634 ft torque tremec 5 Speed, we move to a small lake town, im known as Trans Am, and the Attention it brings is unbelievable, i love the blue, was not option in 76, mine is going to my daughter she was two year old when i purchased, please keep car value is going up, and if you live in a small town at car meet Trans Am you can count on one hand👍🏿
I love the 76 style too, that's some serious power man lol, awesome. Moved out in the country a bit here, so much happier and better cruising roads. Probably will keep her, I also love this blue. I'd really regret if I did sell for sure. People do love seeing them, always get a kick out of it. Thanks for the comment brother, and take care.
My first car as a teenager was a 1979 Firebird. Still wish I had it but I foolishly traded it in. Still have a soft spot for the 2nd Gen Firebirds though especially the Trans Ams. 😁
Absolutely, I understand :) My first car was a 79 Cutlass 3.8 V6 but ended up with a 78 Formula 2 years later, that's pretty neat. I bet all the kids at your school loved it^^
Brother purchased a new 1978 auto in Chesterfield brown. Mom worked at a bank and a young man drove the same 4 speed in blue, I always liked to look at that car.
Nice, so wish I could've bought one new and kept it. Didn't know for the longest time this was a one year color.
Great video! Have always loved the trans am! Used to have my mom drive me to the Pontiac Dealership when I was a kid so I could look at Rows and rows of 77/78 trans ams!
Have fun!
I LOVE it! That's too cool my friend, I bet that was neat. Thank you so much too, folks like you are why I do this❤️🇺🇲🤝
That's an incredible find!..T/A 6.6 W72 WS6 4 speed??..in that blue?..beautiful car dude enjoy!!
Thank you so much bro, real happy with it, and thankful. So 3.73's with the 5 speed huh, dad has been telling me the same:) Gotta wait on funds, but definitely one day.
Beautiful car....you are blessed. I miss my 84. Hopefully get another soon.
Thank you so much my friend, means a lot to me❤️🤝
No air bags
Sorry, just saw this comment, it doesn't always notify me :/ Correct, nowhere near as many terrible drivers back then haha.
Just beautiful! Thanks so much for sharing and man when you stomped on the gas, man it gave me chills! This is the reason I enjoy TH-cam!
Thank you so much, you all are the reason I do this, this comment made my day:)
😍
Great video!
I have a firebird still that I bought 42 years ago, and I feel like my first time driving it still.
Love it . Looks like we have the bird fever
That's awesome, not too many can say they've had one that long, really appreciate it:) Yes we sure do haha
Had this same car back in the day mine was blue ws6 with slapstick auto, mine was black interior. Thanks for sharing
No prob, glad you enjoyed it. Would definitely prefer the black interior with the blue, sharp! I remember my Formula way back when got HOT in the summer, and no AC lol.
That TA is exactly what he says it is..the real deal
❤️🤝
Keep that baby alive
@@motodon5686 Thank you very much, means a lot:) Sure will my friend
i have the. same car its. an automatic 1978 martinique blue my favorite car as a kid and enjoying it now great car
Nice, that color is the main reason I love the 78, my favorite blue by far, right on my friend🤙🤝
Is there still any of the original smog equipment still on? I think these had a pump and cat from the factory. The 3.42 lets you still drive with reasonable mileage on highway. Be interesting to dyno it now! Great Friday night cruise to Sonic with a couple stop light to stop light races!
Absolutely ^^ it did have cats but doesn't now, not sure about a factory smog pump, if it did have it wasn't there when I bought it.
No smog pump on Federal emisions for the W72.
@@fredmauck6934 Yessir, correct🤝
Very nice
Thanks much :)
Great drive through the rural countryside. Sweet and stock.
Absolutely, and thank you very much, means a lot:)
love this video, thank you.