33,064 Actual Mile Trans Am Special Edition 400 Bandit

If you're a car guy who's anywhere south of 100, or anywhere north of 30, chances are you know exactly where “east bound and down” came from. If you know where “east bound and down” came from, it's a good possibility you're very familiar with this 1977 Pontiac Trans Am Special Edition. And if you have fond memories of this Trans Am SE, I'm certain you know the meaning of both 'numbers-matching' and 'investment grade'. What's my point? If you're one of the growing number of enthusiasts rediscovering just how cool F2 Trans Ams are, but aren't quite sure you want to regress that far into youth, here's your chance to throw a little sophistication into the mix. Fully documented and ready to roll, this brassy black and gold 'bird isn't just a bold throwback to simpler times and cooler cars, it's a blue chip commentary on smart investment for the future. So, if you're into big block American muscle and giant Screamin' Chicken decals, order up some flutes of Coors, throw on the Cincinnati Pops Orchestra's Down on the Farm and toast your next classic!

Before we jump head-first into this vintage Poncho's detailed description, I'll go ahead and break down both its VIN and cowl tag:

VIN: 2W87Z7N182758

* 2: Pontiac Motor Division
* W: Trans Am
* 87: Sports coupe
* Z: 400 cubic inch V8
* 7: 1977 model year
* N: Assembled in Norwood, Ohio
* 182758: Production sequence number

COWL TAG:

* 77 - 1977 Model year
* 2FS87 - 2: Pontiac Motor Division, FS: Firebird, 87: coupe
* N – Assembled at GM's Norwood, Ohio manufacturing facility
* 173722 – The car's Fisher Body production number
* 19B – Black cloth interior
* A51 - Bucket seats
* 19L 19U - Starlight Black lower (L) and upper (U) exterior paint
* 03D – Assembled during the fourth week (D) of March (3), 1977
* WS4 - Trans Am
* BLK – Secondary interior color: Black
* 380793 – Fisher Body time and date code.

Assembled at GM's famous Norwood, Ohio manufacturing facility in March of 1977, this pristine Trans Am coupe was delivered to Mall Pontiac in Dayton, Ohio to begin a long, accident-free tour of the American Midwest. In the spring of 2013, the car's already solid restoration was freshened to better-than-new condition. And today, logging only weekend miles since that thorough dust off, this spectacular F2 displays a killer coat of correct Starlight Black urethane under Special Edition-exclusive full outlining stripes and an iconic Special Edition-exclusive Screamin' Chicken hood decal.

Despite their minimalist brightwork, second generation Trans Ams were highly decorated cars that brought new meaning to the word 'details'. At the front of this 'bird, straight and glossy urethane hangs Special Edition headlight buckets and a small “PONTIAC” script between a correct “TRANS AM” call-out and traditional red arrowhead. Behind that urethane, a great looking “T/A-6.6” branded hood anchors like-new glass beneath painted stainless trim and exclusive Hurst T-tops. At the sides of that hood, correct “TRANS AM” call-outs and Special Edition B-pillar birds complement traditional fender vents, black-accented door handles and correct wheel spoilers. And at the back of the car, a rounded D80 trunk wing aligns a correct “TRANS AM” call-out above factory-fresh tail lights, a small “PONTIAC” script and original side splitter exhaust tips.

Pop this tin indian's dramatic hood and you'll find a stout, 400 cubic inch Pontiac V8 that forms a correct 568557 casting number behind a matching 182758 partial VIN. Thanks to government-mandated emissions standards, performance had almost been legislated out of existence; and that left the Trans Am suffering a bit of an identity crisis. This 'bird's “XA” branded L78 combined the largest muscle car engine you could buy with Pontiac's proven “6X” head design and newfound handling prowess to create one of the fastest pony cars on the market. At the top of the smooth mill, a big Rochester carburetor and modern HEI distributor ride under a familiar Trans Am shaker. Below those components, warm GM Corporate Blue paint coats the entire block, while correct cast iron manifolds funnel spent gases into factory-fresh exhaust pipes. All the hard parts around the motor, from the fresh brake booster and rebuilt alternator to the functional Delco Air conditioning and fender plenum air tube, appear to be factory-correct. The car's authentic engine bay and hood are covered in a nice combination of GM Satin and Pontiac Starlight Black. And, as expected, there's pliable belts, clean hoses and a strong battery.

At the bottom of this Trans Am, a clean undercarriage is comprised of straight floorpans that display thick undercoating, and a satin black chassis that retains a showroom-fresh luster. In the middle of that undercarriage, an original Turbo-Hydramatic 3-speed, which wears a correct 182758 partial VIN, sends power to a posi-traction differential and mild, 2.41 gears. Below that stellar powertrain, a rebuilt WS4 suspension, which includes power steering, thicker sway bars, better shocks and stiffer springs, combines with standard issue power front disc and rear drum brakes to provide quick stops and great handling. At the center of that suspension, an original exhaust system barks a deep, vintage roar through an original, transversely-mounted muffler. At the corners of that exhaust, restored snow flakes spin gold, Special Edition paint between 'gold bird' center caps and modern 225/70 BF Goodrich Radial T/As. And all the car's hardware and bushings, from its leak-free fuel tank to its correctly installed emergency brake cable, appear to be lucid and in good shape.

Open this Pontiac's massive black doors and you'll find an original velour interior that wraps gold, Special Edition trim in a whole lot of old school style! The airy cockpit begins with thick seats that are firm, crisp and look every bit as nice as their rich name implies. Below those seats, like-new carpet, which is protected by thick rubber floor mats, centers a molded console on chrome power window switches. At the sides of that carpet, hard to find door panels hang small Pioneer speakers between correct gold emblems, bright chrome handles and optional power locks. Above those panels, a stain-free headliner stretches tightly around the car's aforementioned T-tops. In front of the driver, an optional tilt steering column spins a gold Formula steering wheel around a gold, engine-turned instrument panel, sliders for the car's air conditioning and a modern Kenwood CD player. And behind the passengers, large Pioneer deck speakers hang over a fully restored trunk.

Like most of our investment grade transactions, this sale includes a car and so much more. This Poncho's lucky new owner will receive:

* Original factory paperwork
* An original factory order form
* An original dealer inspection form
* An original owner's manual
* Original warranty paperwork
* Original Ziebart paperwork
* Original key knock outs
* Original dealer invoices
* Notes from the original purchase
* Original loan paperwork
* An original title
* Original insurance paperwork
* Historic maintenance receipts
* Vintage marketing materials
* A vintage CB radio

Professionally restored from its factory Hurst T-tops all the way to its slick gold snowflakes, this fully documented Trans Am is an impressive, numbers-matching investment that's perfect for any Bandit enthusiast! This is the kind of car you show at the nationals on Saturday, then drive to work on a sunny Monday morning. Are you in the market for a clean, late model F2? NOW is the time to buy a correct, low-mileage showpiece to enjoy for years to come!