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1977 Pontiac Trans Am Wakes Up From 30-Year Sleep, One Owner, Complete, and Original

1977 Trans Am sitting for decades 19 photos
Photo: Bogdan Popa/autoevolution/eBay seller fcp28
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Production-wise, 1977 was a good year for the Trans Am, as the output reached a new record and paved the way for another increase for its successor.
After a disappointing start of the decade, when Pontiac sold just 1,286 Trans Ams in 1972, the new model started growing in popularity, reaching 68,745 units in 1977. The ascension peaked at 117,000 units in 1979 before falling again in the following years.

1977 witnessed the introduction of several engine changes, mainly enforced by the new regulations. The L78 400 was still the base V8 on the Trans Am with a 180-horsepower rating, while the 455 waved goodbye to the lineup.

The most common choice on a 1977 Trans Am was the base V8, followed by W72 400. Pontiac installed this engine on over 18,700 Trans Am, most of them (over 10,000) with an automatic gearbox.

The 1977 Trans Am posted on eBay by seller fcp28 rolled off the assembly lines with the L78, and while some buyers might walk away because they hoped to get a rarer engine, the good news is the original unit is still in the car. It no longer runs, but an original unit is more valuable than a replacement engine, especially for someone who wants to bring the car back to factory specifications.

This Trans Am spent more than three decades in the same garage, and it shows. While it's an accident-free car, the 1977 Trans Am comes with cracks, scratches, and rust, though I don't believe any of them is critical. The vehicle exhibits the typical project car condition, and the rust damage doesn't look critical at first glance. Interested buyers should go see the Trans Am in person before committing to a purchase, especially because the engine specs are very scarce.

The car ticks the essential boxes for a restoration candidate. It's a complete project with everything original. Additionally, the same family owned the car since it was new, though we're not getting any information as to why it's been sleeping for so long without occasional weekend drives.

Restoring this project doesn't look like an easy mission, but a Trans Am is typically at professional restorers in the first place. The selling price could also make many people walk away, as the owner expects to get around $9,500 for their Trans Am. On the other hand, they also enabled the Make Offer button, so if you want to get this project, reach out to them to discuss your offer.

The listing will expire in approximately a month, but potential buyers can inspect the vehicle in Katy, Texas. The engine no longer starts, so you'll have to get the car on a trailer – it does roll freely, though.
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About the author: Bogdan Popa
Bogdan Popa profile photo

Bogdan keeps an eye on how technology is taking over the car world. His long-term goals are buying an 18-wheeler because he needs more space for his kid’s toys, and convincing Google and Apple that Android Auto and CarPlay deserve at least as much attention as their phones.
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