Pontiac Trans Am

Coupe

8 - Cyl.

Automatic

2W87K8L135891

Clear

Gasoline

For auction is a very clean and solid 1978 Pontiac Trans Am. This is an original California car that has been parked for nearly 20 years, the last 5 with me. I originally intended to make this my driver so although I had found a nice low-mileage original that ran and drove well I took it apart to build it the way I wanted it. It was nicely equipped with the 403 V-8, turbo 350 and a 10-bolt limited-slip differential with 3.23 gears. Other good things include air conditioning, power windows and tilt steering. It had a red exterior with the black cloth deluxe interior from the factory (I do have the build sheet). It was an original blue-plate car but when I transferred ownership to me I did so with a title-only; since I did not register the car the plates did not follow onto the new title. The title is clear and the registration is PNO. The mileage is original, not only from the condition of the car as I found old records and documentation to support it. When I started the project (over 3 years ago) I stripped the car to a shell and had it sandblasted, including all interior and under-car surfaces. The shell was absolutely rust-free with very straight and solid floors, trunk and sheetmetal. After being etch-primed all surfaces were primed with an industrial rust-inhibiting red oxide which was then coated with a catalyst-based primer. Very little bodywork was needed. The body shell and other sheetmetal was primed and blocked until ready for black. Then I painted underneath the car and the firewall in a satin-finish enamel. I applied Raptor undercoating to the trunk floor and the inner floorpan. After that I began to assemble the car mechanically. I disassembled the 403 for inspection and found it to be in very good condition. The cylinder walls had no appreciable wear, so I gave it a torque-plate hone in place of boring it and the original pistons were re-installed with new Sealed-Power rings. All bearings were replaced with Clevite 77s. Improvements consist of a Edelbrock Performer camshaft, a True-Roller timing chain set and a Melling high-volume oil pump. The heads were refurbished stock except for high-performance valve stem seals. I also replaced the original rope-style rear main seal with a 2-piece neoprene seal. I installed an Edelbrock Performer intake manifold and bolted on a rebuilt and tuned Quadrajet. I rebuilt the original HEI distributor with a Summit high-performance kit. When I loaded the engine into the car I installed a set of Patriot headers, behind which is a 2 1/2" aluminized exhaust system through nice turbo mufflers exiting to the rear with a set of Pypes replacement dual tips. The engine is still running its break-in oil, but I have driven it a few miles and it definitely runs strong, sounds good and has no issues. The radiator is a rebuilt 3-row, the fan shroud is new and the fan/clutch are from a Chevrolet pickup (the fan is almost an inch larger than the Trans Am fan, and the clutch is an Eaton unit that locks up faster/harder). I also installed a new heater core. The car runs cool and holds good oil pressure. The alternator is rebuilt, and the heavy-gauge battery cables are new. I also installed a new waterpump and fuel pump. Belts and hoses are new, as are the spark plugs and wires. I have a filter-top air cleaner for it, just have to install it. The a-c system is complete, but I have not charged it. The fuel tank was cleaned before I re-installed it, and all fuel hoses are new. I rebuilt the front suspension as needed (new upper control arm bushings, new upper ball joints, new idler arm) and installed new power steering hoses. I also installed new brakes front and rear. The shocks are Gabriels. Sway bars are original front and rear, with new polyurethane bushings and links in front. Tires are front: new B.F.Goodrich T-As. Rear: 60% Dunlop GT Qualifiers. By the time I loaded the car together mechanically I parked it due to the down-turn in the economy. Late last year I decided to complete the car, but could not paint it as my spray booth had a long-term project in it. I shipped it out in pieces to have the final blocking and painting done, but when I got it back I was not really satisfied. It sat for a while longer before I decided to hang it together. The paint is not bad, just not to my standards. There are a few flaws but overall the car is straight, the paint is shiny and very presentable. I purchased a set of graphics fro Phoenix which I had installed, but I left off the pin-striping (the roll comes with the car), opting for a somewhat different approach by painting the grille edges, window trim, drip molding and side-marker bezels in gold. Just a persoanl thing, I never cared for the juxtaposition of gold pin-striping to chrome and aluminum. The wheels are original with re-painted centers. An added touch; hood, door and trunk hinges are also painted gold. The front bumper emblem and door handles are new. I also installed a new set of locks (including the glovebox lock). As I was finishing the car my upholstery shop owner decided to flake out on me, so I re-installed the original headliner (which is good), an ACC carpet kit and a set of seats I found out of another 78 Trans Am (original a gold/tan car, so they were probably color-changed before I got them, but they are in very good condition and present well). The dash had a couple minor heat cracks, so while I had it out of the car I installed a dash-cap. The console is original, and nice. While assembling the car, I went through are the electrical. All wiring was nice and surprisingly unmolested. I installed all new light bulbs, including dash lights. Everything works as it should, except the horn circuit (which I have not completed as I have yet to find the horn button). Windows roll up/down nicely. The heater and defroster work fine, the blower motor is good. I cleaned and lubed the turn signal switch. I cleaned all the fuse contacts, and installed new fuses as necessary. The dash has been modified for a modern stereo, but there is none installed. Also, I have yet to install the courtesy-light door switches (I have new ones ordered), I will install them withing the next few days; the dome lamp and courtesy lights work. I cleaned the gauge circuits, and all work as they should. I have described the car as I know it. Please ask any relevant questions prior to bidding. This is not a show car, but is a very decent driver-quality Trans Am. It is being sold as-is with no warranty express or implied. I have many more photos of the car than I can post, so withing the next couple days I will create a Photobucket album and post the link. Payment will be accepted by cash-in-person, verifiable bank check or wire transfer. I do not accept PayPal. It is the responsibility of the winning bidder to take possession of the car, but I will help in any way reasonable. I do have access to in-state/interstate transporters and international shippers if needed. Winning bidder is to contact me within 24 hours of close of auction to make arrangements for paying for the car and taking possession of it. Payment in full is to be received within 5 business days of close of auction, with a possible exception for an international buyer (but contact me). If negative bidder, please to not bother; if zero bidder, please contact me prior to bidding. I reserve the right to cancel bids. As the car is for sale locally I also reserve the right to end the auction early. Thank you for looking at this auction. Again, I will create a Photobucket album with many more photos and post the link. Any relevant questions, please e-mail or call Art at (818) 527-0884 9:00 AM to 9:00 PM Pacific time. On Apr-18-11 at 19:26:43 PDT, seller added the following information: I have received questions regarding issues I did not cover in the listing. I am adding those details and a few I missed that I have not been asked about. Mechanically the only piece of the car I did not go through was the transmission which is original and works well. The differential stayed in the car but I took it down enough to inspect it; gears, bearing and limited slip clutches are good. On re-assembly I installed new axles bearings and seals (and Lucas limited-slip gear oil). All e-brake cables are good, and the e-brake works well. There are no drivability issues with the car that have shown in the few miles I have driven the car. I will place more miles on it (including a freeway run) before the auction ends. If any issue arises, it will be dealt with. I have the wiper arms, will install them with new blades before the car is delivered. Cosmetically the front air dam and side spoilers are new reproduction items I purchased from Classic Industries. The front air dam fits the car well; the side spoilers formed well to body lines; the only issue is where the front side spoilers meet the front air dam, and it is minor as all pieces are attached and solid. The ABS pieces were painted in flexible gloss black specialty paint. The paint color on the car is Porsche Super Black (no other pigments as most blacks have). The car has been color-sanded and polished before the graphics were installed. Any further questions, please e-mail or call.On Apr-18-11 at 19:33:33 PDT, seller added the following information: I was asked another question: yes, all the weatherstrip is new and of good quality. Doors/windows and trunk seal nicely. The trunk area is spatter-painted and sealed with trunk clear.On Apr-20-11 at 19:49:24 PDT, seller added the following information: A couple more details I have been asked about. I rebuilt both upper door hinges (including the driver's door detent roller); both lower hinges I installed are original and in good condition. As I was building this Trans Am to be my driver, it did not get to evict a customer's car and be built in my shop (most of it was built in my tear-down area). The up-side is that I did pretty much everything except the final block and paint myself so I know every body panel and fastener. Again, it is not a show car but a nice, very solid and presentable driver with some flaws in the paint. I finally completed a Photobucket album with a basic assortment of build, detail and finish photos. The link is: http://s881.photobucket.com/albums/ac13/carsinmotion/