1978 Pontiac TRANS AM. Black/Gold with 6.6 litre. *** UNRESERVED ***

Price: - Item location: Great Falls, Montana, United States
Description:

1978 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am

For saleUNRESERVEDby private owner.
1978 Pontiac Black/Gold Trans Am
Vehicle located in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Shipping would be from Calgary, Alberta, Canada.(eBay does nothave provision for people with multiple residences)
I think the best place to start with this description may be the mileage. It has only 49,905 miles. 2nd most predominant factor is the unusual lack of rust.
As far as I know, I am 4th owner of this car. 1st owner, bought it new in Vancouver and owned it until the late '80's. It was sold to a gentleman from Kelowna B.C. (hot, dry, semi-desert climate region). This gentleman had the car delivered to his home, where it sat covered in a carport. The car sat a very long time. It was in that carport for, as I understand it, approximately 30 years! It sold to a local fellow who had bugged to buy it for many years. I love original, low mileage cars. I heard of this car through an online article, got in touch with that person, and was the next to bug until I owned it.
Now, as most of you may know, storing away a vehicle untouched for a super long period of time had it's demons. I'm a super-fan of low mileage vintage cars. Sure, it keeps the mileage stationary but, without usage, things deteriorate. I suppose a good parallel would be the good old "use-it or lose-it" adage. To enter the car back from a hibernation, to usable state, a near total mechanical upgrade was necessary. Items replaced and/or serviced include, but are not limited to, are: brake lines, wheel cylinders, most gaskets, radiator, exhaust, tires, and on and on. And on and on some more. It's a very long, and very costly list. Well worth it though... this car is fantastic.
The car runs very strong. It sounds incredibly nice. Such a wonderful rumble. The sound of that engine is so intensely visceral. Stepping on the throttle is a hard temptation to resist. If not for the "go", the sound itself is addictive. The car drives very well. It's truly like stepping back in time.
When I bought this car, I really did not just want it.... I needed it. It was a thrill to own, and I enjoyed my time with it. At the time I bought it, I especially didn't need it because I just finished selling off a whole bunch of unused vehicles I had amassed. (Please see our feedback). I understood though that finding a Black/Gold 1978 Trans Am with this kind of mileage was a special occasion. Now, we are in the midst of moving and, we've sold nearly everything (including furniture) and asides from sentimental items and heirloom things, are starting 100% fresh in a fresh new abode that is currently being built. Possession day is coming up mighty fast, and I'm selling this car to get rid of it like everything else. My wife thinks I should reconsider but, I already know that if we hang onto this vehicle, she'll hang onto other things. With that in mind, it's especially got to go. I am selling this 100% UNRESERVED. Asides from helping arrange your shipping, I have no time to take 99 more pictures, or have 2-hour long conversations. I don't care about price and I am not going to get into long drawn out discussions as to whether it's a 7/10 condition, or 8/10. Perspectives vary so, for ease of sale, please disregard everything else and assume this car is an awful wreck that is a 1/10 project car with incorrect tires, poor exhaust, and needing everything. That way, I save some time this week during the sale, and devote more to helping the new owner afterwards with arranging their delivery. Also, review our feedback. You'll see that getting every last dime of money isn't my objective. I have money. Money comes easy. Sometimes money goes easy too (lol), but... it can be replaced. Time can't.
So moving on, I started this description with the best features. It's only fair that I alot a section to what I feel could be among it's worst.
  • The bodyside molding on the driver-side is coming loose in 2 spots; rear of front fender, and front of driver's door.
  • The seat upholstery, otherwise in great shape, has come apart at several seams.
  • There are speakers that somebody, presumably in the early '80's, cut into the door panels.
  • There are also speakers in the rear package tray.
  • The plastic air-inlet hose to the air cleaner housing is missing.
  • The gold colour special edition body striping came off in a few sections. This happened at the place I took the car to for buffing/polishing. Phoenixgraphics.com sells a new premolded Special Edition T/A stripe kit for $299.
  • The paint came out slightly better after buffing/polishing on one side than the other, and the wheels on one side are more brilliant than the other. This is nothing abnormal but, from how the car sat in the carport, and due to different car covers coming apart over the years. Slight imperfections like this show pedigree of originality in my eyes. (I'm not a fan of restored cars all the time)
  • The Firebird from the centre of the horn button came off. I have it somewhere. I'm hoping to locate where I put it for safekeeping after it came detached. It may be in the glovebox(???). I'll have to look.
As you can see, most of these are insignificant little things. Still, as I think you can see, I'd much rather promise less (way less), and supply decent adequacy and fairness. I'd sure hate to disappoint.
Shy of writing a novel, or complete collection thereof, I think I've covered most bases. If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to write. My email is bravohomes@rocketmail.com
If you don't want to lose out on this low mile Black/Gold Trans Am, and HAVE AN OFFER, please contact me. Most of our auctions end with me accepting an offer. I always appreciate the early-bird approach.
Shipping to most states and destinations is in the $1500+ range. Please keep that in mind, and budget for at least this amount. Texas and Florida, and other really far states, are obviously a bit more at minimum $2250. Any required inspections, certifications, paperwork, or anything else are the buyer's responsibility. I don't know the rules in each particular state so, am selling as per Alberta rules. My wife has become pretty good at setting up shipping and, is happy to assist. Rest is up to you. Payment is by bank transfer, US account to US account. I don't ask for Paypal. Once payment is received, everything else is ready to proceed from there.
If you'd like to speak over the phone, I'm happy to hear from you. Please write and we'll make arrangements.
Hope you have fun bidding. It's an exciting process. Getting a good deal sweetens the joy. I believe owning classic cars should start fun and stay that way!