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Pontiac introduced their second generation of Firebirds in 1970. The Firebird lineup now had four body styles, instead of six. The convertible was no longer offered. The top-of-the-line body style was the Trans Am, which was fitted with air dams across the bottom of the front and in front of the wheels. Completing the package was a large deck lid spoiler and small spoilers in front of the rear wheels.
Throughout the 1970s, the Firebird and Trans Am became an even more refined automobiles and increased in popularity in spite of CAFE restorations that limited Pontiac's ability to increase engine performance. Instead, they focused on appearance and handling.
In 1977, the Trans Am entered a new level of popularity when it played a leading roll along-side Burt Reynolds, Sally Fields, and Jackie Gleason in the movie 'Smokey and the Bandit.' The movie was made in 1976 and used several Trans AMs equipped with what would be the SE package.
Later, Burt Reynolds purchased his own original Trans Am - this car. It is a true W87 Trans Am with factory T-tops and a 6.6-liter 400 cubic-inch engine fitted with an automatic transmission. It has been properly restored and given slight modifications. It is black with gold paint, snowflake rims, and body ground effects with flairs and spoilers. The interior features embroidered Bandit portrait headrests, aftermarket stereo, a leather steering wheel, and a Cobra C.B. radio.
The car was loaned to the Petersen Museum in Los Angeles, where it was a display piece for many years.
In 2009, this Trans Am 'Bandit' Sport Coupe was offered for sale at the Houston Classic Auction presented by Worldwide Auctioneers and held in Seabrook, Texas. The lot was estimated to sell for $55,000 - $75,000. The lot was sold for $47,000 plus the buyer's premium.By Daniel Vaughan | May 2009
Throughout the 1970s, the Firebird and Trans Am became an even more refined automobiles and increased in popularity in spite of CAFE restorations that limited Pontiac's ability to increase engine performance. Instead, they focused on appearance and handling.
In 1977, the Trans Am entered a new level of popularity when it played a leading roll along-side Burt Reynolds, Sally Fields, and Jackie Gleason in the movie 'Smokey and the Bandit.' The movie was made in 1976 and used several Trans AMs equipped with what would be the SE package.
Later, Burt Reynolds purchased his own original Trans Am - this car. It is a true W87 Trans Am with factory T-tops and a 6.6-liter 400 cubic-inch engine fitted with an automatic transmission. It has been properly restored and given slight modifications. It is black with gold paint, snowflake rims, and body ground effects with flairs and spoilers. The interior features embroidered Bandit portrait headrests, aftermarket stereo, a leather steering wheel, and a Cobra C.B. radio.
The car was loaned to the Petersen Museum in Los Angeles, where it was a display piece for many years.
In 2009, this Trans Am 'Bandit' Sport Coupe was offered for sale at the Houston Classic Auction presented by Worldwide Auctioneers and held in Seabrook, Texas. The lot was estimated to sell for $55,000 - $75,000. The lot was sold for $47,000 plus the buyer's premium.By Daniel Vaughan | May 2009
2011 Worldwide Auctions - The Auburn Auction
Sale Price :
USD $57,750
2009 Worldwide Auctioneers : The Houston Classic Auction
Pre-Auction Estimates :
USD $55,000-USD $75,000
Sale Price :
USD $51,700
1978 Pontiac Firebird Auction Sales
Recent Sales of the Pontiac Firebird
(Data based on Model Year 1978 sales)
1978 Pontiac Trans Am Chassis#: 2w87z8l156537 Sold for USD$24,200 2024 Mecum : Glendale | |
1978 PONTIAC FIREBIRD TRANS AM Chassis#: 2W87Z8L147222 Sold for USD$46,200 2024 Barrett-Jackson : Scottsdale AZ | |
1978 PONTIAC FIREBIRD TRANS AM Chassis#: 2W87Z8L160424 Sold for USD$45,100 2024 Barrett-Jackson : Scottsdale AZ | |
1978 Pontiac Firebird Esprit Skybird Chassis#: 2t87u8l119414 Sold for USD$28,600 2024 Mecum : Kissimmee | |
1978 Pontiac Trans Am Chassis#: 2w87z8l168593 Sold for USD$33,000 2024 Mecum : Kissimmee | |
1978 Pontiac Trans Am Chassis#: 2w87z8l116290 Sold for USD$11,000 2024 Mecum : Kissimmee | |
1978 Pontiac Trans Am Chassis#: 2w87z8l173885 Sold for USD$30,800 2024 Mecum : Kissimmee | |
1978 Pontiac Trans Am Chassis#: 2w87z8l165818 Sold for USD$47,300 2024 Mecum : Kissimmee | |
1978 Pontiac Trans Am Chassis#: 2w87z8l102758 Sold for USD$33,000 2023 Mecum : Harrisburg | |
1978 Pontiac Trans Am Chassis#: 2w87z8l173863 Sold for USD$38,500 2023 Mecum : Kissimmee Summer Special 2023 | |
1978 PONTIAC FIREBIRD TRANS AM Chassis#: 2W87Z8L173954 Sold for USD$85,800 2023 Barrett-Jackson : Las Vegas | |
1978 Pontiac Trans Am Chassis#: 2w87z8l184029 Sold for USD$38,500 2023 Mecum : Houston | |
1978 PONTIAC FIREBIRD TRANS AM Chassis#: 2W87Z8L173863 Sold for USD$31,900 2023 Barrett-Jackson : Palm Beach | |
1978 Pontiac Trans Am Sold for USD$47,300 2023 Mecum : Glendale | |
1978 Pontiac Trans Am Sold for USD$27,500 2023 Mecum : Glendale | |
1978 Pontiac Trans Am Sold for USD$33,000 2023 Mecum : Glendale | |
1978 PONTIAC FIREBIRD TRANS AM Chassis#: 2W87Z8L156189 Sold for USD$123,200 2023 Barrett-Jackson : Scottsdale, Az. | |
1978 PONTIAC FIREBIRD TRANS AM Chassis#: 2W87Z8L189771 Sold for USD$36,300 2023 Barrett-Jackson : Scottsdale, Az. | |
1978 Pontiac Trans Am Sold for USD$44,000 2023 Mecum : Kissimmee | |
1978 Pontiac Trans Am Sold for USD$40,700 2023 Mecum : Kissimmee |
Pontiac Firebirds That Failed To Sell At Auction
1978 Pontiac Firebird's that have appeared at auction but did not sell.
Vehicle | Chassis | Event | High Bid | Est. Low | Est. High |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1978 Pontiac Trans Am SE | 2w87k8l176200 | 2024 Mecum : Kissimmee | $80,000 | ||
1978 Pontiac Macho Trans Am | 2w87z8l121656 | 2024 Mecum : Kissimmee | $45,000 | ||
1978 Pontiac Trans Am | 2w87z8l169908 | 2024 Mecum : Kissimmee | $65,000 | ||
1978 Pontiac Trans Am | 2w87z8l117694 | 2023 Mecum : Kansas City | $37,000 | ||
1978 Pontiac Trans Am | 2w87z8n196277 | 2023 Mecum : Harrisburg | $26,500 | ||
1978 Pontiac Trans Am SE | 2w87z8n135222 | 2023 Mecum : Indy | |||
1978 Pontiac Firebird | 2022 Mecum : Las Vegas | ||||
1978 Pontiac Trans Am | 2W87Z8N171821 | 2022 GAA : November 2022 | $18,000 | ||
1978 Pontiac Trans Am | 2022 Mecum : Chicago | $30,000 | |||
1978 Pontiac Trans Am | 2022 Mecum : Chicago | $27,000 | |||
1978 Pontiac Trans Am Custom | 2022 Mecum : Dallas | $60,000 | |||
1978 Pontiac Trans Am | 2022 Mecum : Harrisburg | $16,000 | |||
1978 Pontiac Firebird SE | 2022 Mecum Indy | ||||
1978 Pontiac Trans Am | 2021 Mecum : Las Vegas | $65,000 | |||
1978 Pontiac Trans Am | 2020 Mecum : Houston | $27,000 | |||
1978 Pontiac Trans Am | 2020 Mecum : Indy Fall Special | $20,000 | |||
1978 Pontiac Firebird Formula | 2020 Mecum : Indy | $20,000 | |||
1978 PONTIAC FIREBIRD TRANS AM MECHAM MACHO COUPE | 2W87Z8L157441 | 2020 BarrettJackson : Online Only May | |||
1978 Pontiac Trans Am | 2019 GAA : November 2019 | $25,000 | |||
1978 Pontiac Trans Am | 2019 Mecum : Chicago | $20,000 | |||
1978 Pontiac Trans Am | 2019 Mecum : Dallas | $50,000 | |||
1978 Pontiac Trans Am | 2019 Mecum : Monterey | ||||
1978 Pontiac Macho Trans Am | 2019 Mecum : Indianpolis | $32,000 | |||
1978 Pontiac Macho Trans Am | 2019 Mecum : Indianpolis | $31,000 | |||
1978 Pontiac Trans Am Custom | 2W87Z8L154130 | 2019 RM Sothebys : Fort Lauderdale | |||
1978 Pontiac Trans Am | 2019 Mecum : Phoenix Auction | $29,000 | |||
1978 Pontiac Trans Am | 2019 Mecum : Phoenix Auction | $17,000 | |||
1978 Pontiac Trans Am | 2019 Mecum : Phoenix Auction | $21,000 | |||
1978 Pontiac Macho Trans Am | 2019 Mecum : Phoenix Auction | $42,500 | |||
1978 Pontiac Trans Am | 2019 Carlisle Auction : Lakeland Winter Auction |
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1978 Pontiac Firebird
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