Advertise for Free
Advertise for Free

Pontiac Firebird Trans Am 1978

General description : 1978 Pontiac Macho Trans Am To be featured in a future episode of Gas Monkey's Fast N Loud this current season Number 104 of 204 examples made in 1978 Stunning Starlight Black (code 19) exterior and black interior 400 CID V-8 engine (code L78), with an 800cfm Rochester Quadrajet carburetor Borg-Warner Super T-10 close-ratio four-speed manual transmission (code M21) and 3.42 rear end (code GU6) with Positraction (code G80) Lift-off fiberglass hood, roll bar WS6 Performance Package and F41 suspension Factory air-conditioning Power steering, power brakes, power windows, power door locks and tilt steering column Eight-inch cast aluminum snowflake wheels (code YJ8) Mecham Design letter of authenticity, original build sheet After you see one of our latest acquisitions at Mot Xotica Classic Cars, a 1978 Macho Trans Am, you might think of The Village People or wonder why anyone would write that on a car. At that time, Macho was the in word in the Southwest, said Dennis Mecham. It may not be the best name but how can you forget it?If youve never heard of the Macho Trans Am, dont feel out of touch. Only a couple hundred of these modified Firebirds were hatched by brothers Dennis and Kyle Mecham. Their dad, Evan, was a Ph nix-area Pontiac dealer, and beginning in 1977, the brothers would take delivery of new Trans Ams, make some modifications, and sell them back as used cars to Mecham Pontiac, where they would then be sold to the public.Why the hoop jumping? The federal government prohibited modifying new cars and selling them as new cars thanks to an avalanche of new restrictions, but if a car was titled as used, problem solved.This car was built in GMs Van Nuys, California assembly plant on June 29, 1978 and was delivered to Mecham Pontiac in Glendale, Arizona. It came with the following major options power door locks, tinted glass, power windows, power trunk lid, rear window defroster, power four-wheel disc brakes, Formula steering wheel on tilt steering column, heavy-duty battery, heavy-duty cooling and rally gauges.Dressed in Starlight Black paint (code 19) with red accents, this cars paint and trim are in very good condition. The glass panels are clear and intact, including the rear window with its electric defroster. The cars lights are clear and haze-free and still look as great as they did in 1978. This car has the WS6 Performance Package and the vaunted F41 suspension bits. This Bird rides on BFGoodrich Radial T/As, size P235/60R15 at all four corners. Each tire surrounds a snowflake wheel (code YJ8). The wheels and tires are in excellent condition.The cars bodywork is solid and straight, including the fiberglass lift-off hood. The trunk is in very good order, the engine bay is very tidy and the bumpers fit well to the body.Underneath that shaker scoop is a 400 CID V-8 engine (code L78), with an 800cfm Rochester Quadrajet carburetor and breathing through dual exhausts. Backing that motor is a Borg-Warner Super T-10 close-ratio four-speed manual transmission (code M21) and a 3.42 rear end (code GU6) and Positraction (code G80). Driver convenience features include air-conditioning, power steering, power brakes, power windows, power door locks, remote drivers side mirror control and tilt steering column.Inside, the drivers seat show some wear and tear and theres a hole in the front passenger seat but overall, the cars black front buckets and rear bench seats are in good order while the matching carpet is in very good condition. The black headliner, matching instrument panel with its silver inlay and Formula three-spoke steering wheel are all in similar very good order. One of the instrument panel vent bezels is not secure. The inner door panels, mirror glass, center console and shift lever are all in good order.Forty years ago, two brothers, Dennis and Kyle Mecham, decided to do something about the state of American factory performance cars, at least for the Trans Ams delivered to their fathers Pontiac dealership near Ph nix, Arizona. The dealership became the base for DKM/Macho Firebirds. They built 26 Trans Ams with several performance enhancements. These modified cars became a local and regional hit with customers so the Mechams expanded to include other Pontiac dealers in 1978.The Macho T/A equation was simple the Mechams bought new Trans Ams, made the mods then resold them as used vehicles to other Pontiac dealers. The Mechams set the stock Rochester Quadrajet carburetor to run richer and changed the distributor to alter the spark advance. The brothers also opened the sealed shaker hood scoop, increasing airflow to the stock air box and screened the opening. A set of Hooker headers were added with a 2.5-inch dual exhaust, crossover pipe and dual catalytic converters, taking the place of the stock exhaust.Other changes included dropping the front end by 1.5 inches, put Koni adjustable shocks at all four corners, re-tempered front springs and added 60-series tires on factory rims, plus 24 available interior/exterior colors and Macho Trans Am graphics. For extra money, buyers could request their own exterior color and for even more money, the Macho graphics would be applied using DuPonts Imron. As a trial, the Mechams put their mods on a 77 Trans Am in stock and put it on the showroom floor; it sold in three days. Laboring part-time, they sold 26 more Machos in 1977.After 178 more Machos, the experiment ended in 1980, when Pontiac downsized to the 301 CID V-8 from the 400s and 455s. If you got any real horsepower (out of the 301), you were rebuilding a hand grenade, said Mecham.Documentation includes Mecham Design letter of authenticity, original factory build sheet and DKM Production Sheet and will be featured in a future episode of Gas Monkey's Fast N Loud this current season.Competition to this Pontiac in 1978 included Chevrolets Camaro, Datsuns 280ZX 2+2, Fords Mustang, Mazdas RX-7 and Toyotas Celica Supra.This car is currently located at our facility in St. Louis, Missouri. Current mileage on the odometer shows 34,811 miles. It is sold as is, where is, on a clean and clear, mileage exempt title. GET OUT AND DRIVE!!!Click here for our Macho TA video!VIN: 2W87Z8L157441Note: Please see full terms and conditions listed below that pertain to the purchase of any said vehicle, thank you.

1978 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am is listed for sale on ClassicDigest in Bellevue by Specialty Vehicle Dealers Association Member for Not priced.

 

Car Facts

Car type : Car Make : Pontiac Model : Firebird Model Version : Trans Am Engine size : 0.0 Model Year : 1978 Location : 13710 NE 20th Street Bellevue, WA 98005 Vehicle Registration : Undefined

Not priced

Seller Information

Specialty Vehicle Dealers Association

Specialty Vehicle Dealers Association Member, Contact no. +1-6366004600

ClassicDigest Market Radar on Pontiac Firebird

$ £

People who viewed this Pontiac Firebird also viewed similar Pontiac listed at ClassicDigest

Pontiac Firebird
79000 $
Louisville
Pontiac Firebird
27000 $
St. Louis
Pontiac Firebird
20000 $
Nashville
Pontiac Firebird
36800 $
Arlington
Pontiac Firebird
33900 $
Charlotte

Other cars listed for sale by this dealer

Volvo 780 Bertone
13710 NE 20th Street Bellevue, WA 98005
Volkswagen Beetle Typ1
45000$
13710 NE 20th Street Bellevue, WA 98005
Toyota Supra
13710 NE 20th Street Bellevue, WA 98005
Swift other
40000$
13710 NE 20th Street Bellevue, WA 98005
Cobra Replica
90610$
13710 NE 20th Street Bellevue, WA 98005
About Pontiac
Pontiac, a division of General Motors (GM), held a distinctive position within the company's hierarchy and played a significant role in automotive history. Here's an overview of Pontiac's history and some of its most iconic models up to the 1980s:

Position in GM Hierarchy:
Distinct Identity: Pontiac occupied a unique place within GM, known for its performance-oriented vehicles and youthful branding.
Mid-Level Brand: Positioned above Chevrolet but below the more upscale divisions such as Oldsmobile, Buick, and Cadillac, Pontiac aimed to offer affordable yet sporty cars.
History and Notable Models:
Pontiac GTO (1964-1974):
Iconic Muscle Car: Considered the first true American muscle car, blending performance and style.
Specifications: V8 engines, powerful performance, and aggressive styling made the GTO immensely popular.
Pontiac Firebird (1967-1981):
Muscle Car and Pony Car: Shared the platform with the Chevrolet Camaro, featuring distinct Pontiac styling cues.
Variants: Offered various models and engine options, including the Trans Am, which gained fame through movies like "Smokey and the Bandit."
Pontiac Grand Prix (1962-2008):
Personal Luxury Car: Initially a full-size car, later transformed into a mid-size model, known for its blend of comfort and performance.
Evolution: Over the years, it transitioned from a performance-oriented car to a more luxurious offering.
Pontiac Bonneville (1957-2005):
Flagship Model: Started as a full-size car, evolving into a luxurious and technologically advanced vehicle.
Innovation: Known for introducing features like fuel injection, making it a symbol of Pontiac's technological advancements.
Impact and Legacy:
Performance Image: Pontiac carved a niche for itself by emphasizing performance, sportiness, and innovation, attracting younger and enthusiast drivers.
Marketing Success: Innovative marketing strategies and successful racing endeavors contributed to Pontiac's popularity and brand image.
Cessation of Production: Unfortunately, due to financial constraints and changes in consumer preferences, GM discontinued the Pontiac brand in 2010, marking the end of its legacy in the automotive industry.