Look at this barn find OMG!

[Carpetguy]

I just found all original 78 pontiac trans am blue .4 speed 400 t tops
Original owner passed away.Kids put it in storage unit
Never paid for it .Now i need a way to get a title i guess.
Not sure what its worth

[Wizard1183]

Originally Posted by Carpetguy

I just found all original 78 pontiac trans am blue .4 speed 400 t tops
Original owner passed away.Kids put it in storage unit
Never paid for it .Now i need a way to get a title i guess.
Not sure what its worth

About $6-12k

[Iron Lung Jimmy]

Originally Posted by Wizard1183

About $6-12k

Everything depends on condition, of course, but those things have gone way up.

Nice ones are easily worth $20K.

[Carpetguy]

Have to clean it up a bit.Was definitely in a barn .But still has the ac .
And a couple minor of rust spots .
But i will see i guess

[Wizard1183]

Worth is a VERY subjective word. I don’t think they’re worth $20k. Late models (70s) nice ones can be had for cheaper than 20. Some ask more but norm is less than that. Sure there’s a cpl going for $20. But you can buy most 78 Trans Ams with 400s (W72) for $10k. Possible even less. Look on ebay and carsforsale.com. $10k... and most are negotiable. I wouldn’t give $20k for one but some sucker out their might! For 20k it better be late 60s/early 70s for me to spend that on one. Lol

[Olddudesrule]

Those of us who follow collector car auctions know that the market for unrestored originals can be very strong. The niche that is really just interested in finding and flipping an unrestored original can make some good money if the purchase price is low enough. For the Z28 posted by the OP, the non-DZ block will definitely effect the price a collector is willing to pay, but with the documented history of why it happened, not as much as someone throwing a standard, period correct non-DZ block in there. Either way, a very cool find and you really have to look beyond the current condition to see the potential jewel.

[farm rat]

On the 78 Trans Am with a factory 4 speed there were only about 200 cars that had them. You need to pull the back seat base and see if the build sheet is there. Car might be worth a bunch.

[Wizard1183]

Originally Posted by farm rat

On the 78 Trans Am with a factory 4 speed there were only about 200 cars that had them. You need to pull the back seat base and see if the build sheet is there. Car might be worth a bunch.

Late model 70s are not worth that much. Sure they increased in value compared to their MSRP but they’re nowhere near late 60s early 70s prices. Many are for sale for $20-30k. They’re not selling. Means price needs to drop some. It’d take a very avid collector to see it for a rare 4spd to offer a chunk. However I doubt since it’s a 78 that many care it’s a 4spd to auto. It’s a 400 trans am. Doesn’t matter if it’s 200 made 4spd or 400 auto. All the same really.

[Iron Lung Jimmy]

Originally Posted by Wizard1183

Late model 70s are not worth that much. Sure they increased in value compared to their MSRP but they’re nowhere near late 60s early 70s prices. Many are for sale for $20-30k. They’re not selling.

How do you know that?

Means price needs to drop some. It’d take a very avid collector to see it for a rare 4spd to offer a chunk. However I doubt since it’s a 78 that many care it’s a 4spd to auto. It’s a 400 trans am. Doesn’t matter if it’s 200 made 4spd or 400 auto. All the same really.

Why would a 78 Trans Am be different than any other performance collector car where 4 speed or auto is a big deal?

[Yellow Bullet]

200 4-spd made is very rare and definitely worth 20k to some so why give your negative opinion?

[Wizard1183]

Originally Posted by Iron Lung Jimmy

How do you know that?



Why would a 78 Trans Am be different than any other performance collector car where 4 speed or auto is a big deal?

Because a simple google search of 78 Trans Am 400 shows you how many are for sale right now. And there’s A LOT! 4spds are for sale at 20-30k.


Since when is the transmission the big deal in collector cars? Usually it’s engine that makes the car most collectible. Examples L78 camaro (396/375HP) and LS6 (454) Chevelle.

[rontammy0]

Originally Posted by Iron Lung Jimmy

How do you know that?



Why would a 78 Trans Am be different than any other performance collector car where 4 speed or auto is a big deal?

70s Trans Ams are a hot item right now. I have a buddy with a 79 Trans Am t tops 455 Super Duty motor with a 4 speed from and earlier model...73 or I think. People are always asking him if its for sale.

[chargerfan2]

Was next to a really clean 69 that was orange with white stripes this weekend. Out of respect I let him stay ahead of me.

[Taylortoons]

Historically, muscle cars with a manual transmission have brought more money than their automatic counterparts. Cars with a stick and A/C were considered the most desirable.

One of my vendors bought a 78 hard top 4-speed TA that was not an SE, but black with 25k miles. I believe he paid $26k at Mecum Dallas.

When I was in high school, there was a kid who got a brand new silver/silver '79 WS6 TA with T-tops and a 4-speed for his first car. It's the only manual TA I knew of at that time. All the others were autos. His car was nice, but it couldn't outrun my 390 4-speed Fairlane. LOL!