[Aus78Formula]

X2 decide for yourself
I personally like the 77-78 SE and how I got involved in the first place, but the other problem was that so many look alikes exist and taken a little away from them. So genuine only or something else, different colour. After looking at 2-3 black TAs in bad condition i picked up a mint Formula instead. At the time knew very little of them, now I've only seen about 3-4 advertised over hefe in 10 years. So different is good. I never felt too much towards the 79-81 models but there are still some great examples around. I take a blue one over a TATA everyday. Just don't like them and very common with very few differences between them. But some like them, and that's great too, cos they aren't a Camaro or Mustang.

[Jerry H.]

So why do the 77-79's seem to bring a lot more than comparably equipped 70-72's?

[The Boss]

Nostalgia I think, that & the market is aging.

[77 Canamman]

Most certainly for me, a black and gold '77 4 speed!

[68ragtop]

I have always liked 78's because when the WS6/W72 appeared with its wide wheels it just looked so cool at the time. Made an impression on me that stuck for a lifetime.

I have a friend who is also a car guy & he likes the 79-80 front end the best.
I think the 70-73's look the most muscle of all 2nd gens But 78's are still my favorite.

I have a TA/TA 4 speed & I like it for what it is, but a black/gold S/E W72 4 speed would probably get driven more if I had one......

[red1975pacer]

79 TATA with Pontiac 400 4 speed 16k miles did 55 with fee at BJ Palm Beach. 58k mile 4 speed TATA did 42 with fee. Is the market still trending up from BJ Scottsdale? Or has it stabilized? I just paid 35 for a 24k 4 speed in a private sale. All 3 cars talked about here are original paint Pontiac motor 4 speeds.

[Father&Son73T/A]

Originally Posted by red1975pacer

79 TATA with Pontiac 400 4 speed 16k miles did 55 with fee at BJ Palm Beach. 58k mile 4 speed TATA did 42 with fee. Is the market still trending up from BJ Scottsdale? Or has it stabilized? I just paid 35 for a 24k 4 speed in a private sale. All 3 cars talked about here are original paint Pontiac motor 4 speeds.

While I do not believe BJ reflects the true value of these cars in the market,there is no doubt it looks like it was a kick in the pants to the prices of late second gens,especially W72 cars.
3-4 years ago my buddy sold a TATA W72 survivor with 1600 miles,absolute time capsule for 38k.He's still crying.However he replaced it with a 78 SE W72 auto ttop survivor same condition with 15k miles.He stole that car two years ago from the original owner.
THe TATA W72 are very unique one year only cars,however,77-79 W72 SE's have a bigger audience wanting them,therefore jacking up the $$$$$$$$.
I'd kill for 78 SE 4spd WS6 TTOP survivor,but I wont sell both my second gens to do it.

[Father&Son73T/A]

Originally Posted by 77 Canamman

Most certainly for me, a black and gold '77 4 speed!

Dats badass brudder!

[red1975pacer]

Here in Cleveland, a Pontiac dealer {now buick GMC] dealer has turned down 100k for a 200 mile TATA, 4 speed , still on MSO, Car sits on his showroom floor.

[77 Canamman]

Originally Posted by Father&Son73T/A

Dats badass brudder!

Thank you. I am very happy with this car. Although I have owned 50 plus A bodies, this is only my 2nd F body. First was a M21 Y82 '77 I sold 15 years ago.

It is mostly original paint, M21, 42K actual miles. I am converting the standard interior to the deluxe. Otherwise, I am leaving it pretty much as is.

[starlightblack]

from this weekend:

[red1975pacer]

Starlight, great info you posted here! Let the debate "begin'. Whats the mileage on the 1980 that sold for 71500?

[highway star]

I got a good deal on my '78W72 with only 10k mi. for $5500.00.

Oh wait, that was 1984.

Was it a good deal back then?

[starlightblack]

Originally Posted by red1975pacer

Starlight, great info you posted here! Let the debate "begin'. Whats the mileage on the 1980 that sold for 71500?

[rock]

its the power of the bandit
That 1980 bandit sold for almost double the 70 trans am.

the key is low miles and in like new condition. The buyers have spoken

[dreamn69]

55k for that 4wd SE?

[red1975pacer]

I imagine with the ageing of Burt, and the almost 40 year old age of the cars, that we are entering the "peak interest years of these cars, just as the late 60's cars entered around 2005=08 time period. After the 'peak' comes the "bust'? The window is now 'opening' on 'peak" value. Anybody have any thoughts on this thinking?

[68ragtop]

That seems to happen to a lot of cars, but the only guys getting hurt are the ones on the buying on the peak I suppose. Most of us stand back & watch the daredevil bidders to see if those numbers stick. So far they seem to be, but I think its going to settle down soon. This recent auction has to be a hangover from Scottsdale I'm guessing.

They might come back down in value if they have hit a peak, but over all will probably stay up compared to 5+ years ago Im thinking? From an investment perspective I don't mind it & its fun to watch, but I have no intensions of selling my cars anytime soon so it doesn't effect me financially. It does however make me a little sad to think I probably won't justifying a purchase of another 2nd gen unless one crawls out from under a rock. No regrets buying the ones I have, though, thats for sure Always figured they would increase in value at a much slower rate & the right time to sell would be when I was too old to enjoy them anymore.

Numbers matching restoration project cars like this are bringing what low mile survivors brought 10 years ago. Seems crazy......
http://www.ebay.com/itm/1979-Pontiac...vip=true&rt=nc

[red1975pacer]

68ragtop, it looks like your collection of cars is right in the "sweetspot 'of this story. I figure we are just entering the peak years, and there may still be 5 years or so of growth. after that its anybodys guess. By the way , there already saying that the 80-93 Mustang Gt's, along with the Grand Nationals are the "future'. BTW, the 16k that "project" is up to is either "smart' or "crazy". Cant tell yet until the "smoke" clears, but Im guessing "crazy".

[The Boss]

That's not how these cycles go - they will peak & begin to drop again during out lifetimes - some cars it's already happening.