'76 black verses '76 LE.
 

I am trying to determine the differences of hood bird colors between a standard '76 black T/A and a '76 LE.
I am pretty sure they are different, but I can't seem to find a better description of specific colors.
Or some side by side color pictures would help too.
Any ideas where to look?

I think the LE would be a gold bird?
The standard would be red I think.


:confused:

https://img.hmn.com/stories/2018/02/...4-770-0@2X.jpg

http://davidsclassiccars.com/images/...bination-1.jpg

https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/i...pOB_A&usqp=CAU

The bird used on non SE/LE Trans Ams was different. It used a pale yellow on parts of the wing and a lighter almost champagne colored main bird. The SE/LE was entirely a more vibrant gold.

red? no red in hood birds on black cars until 79, 80 or 81.

There sure was. There was the yellow/orange version of the non-SE Gold and the charcoal and red that possibly replaced it. Early versions used the clear decal panels over the black hood paint, then changed to black decal infill panels for cleaner look.

yellow/orange isnt red.

the charcoal/red hood bird for 76-78 was only for white & silver cars, wasnt used on black ones as far as i know but i could be wrong. got a pic of a factory charcoal/red hood bird on a black car?

Very Good. No, yellow/orange is not red!

The charcoal hood bird is listed in a few places as a dealer 'correction' for faults with the clear gold, non-SE type, unlikely factory issue. The 1976 Pontiac Dealers manual would have a list of the available paint and decal options that went together, I don't have 76.

just wanted to clarify i have never seen factory charcoal/red decals on a black car, im pretty sure that combo was only available for white & silver cars unless some rare dealer install thing.

however it should have been available IMO, especially for black cars with red/carmine interiors... i happen to have a 78 with red interior that came with the gold decals but when i restored it i couldn't use the gold decals again, looked way too tacky & "disco" for my taste. so, i used the charcoal/red decals on it for a more custom unique look... after a couple years & posting some pics on forums ive seen a few other cars with it, im sure i wasnt the first but i had never seen that combo before. for 79-81 GM finally realized it looked good & made it an option but was the later style 5 color birds.

Thanks guys. So it looks like a Gold/yellow combo for the standard T/A.
And my 76 LE has more of a Light gold/dark gold combo.
Looking closer, it appears they just flipped the two colors. Almost need two cars side by side to compare.
Wanting to see if PG will create an LE stripe package to match the standard T/A colors. Shouldn't be too difficult as they have the colors and the vinyl printing.

Not the best lighting or at determining exact colours, but same angle.

https://tran-zam.com/gallery/img/76tale.jpg

https://tran-zam.com/gallery/img/76TAStarlightBlack.jpg

Looks like SE uses Dark Gold for detail edges, Standard uses Dark Gold for main bird, Light Gold or Yellow being the extras.

What are you trying to work out, is yours an SE and looking for correct bird? Originality aside, especially if an SE, those photos with red interior still look better with the red/charcoal bird to tie it in. I think you said you already had done something similar in the past.

I have an LE already, and am now restoring a standard black 455. But looking for a little more bling on the standard. But didn't want two LE looking 'birds.
So I plan to 'reverse' the LE colors and striping on the standard black car.
Will be subtly different, and the darker stripes should look good with the buckskin interior.
My other option was to go with PG's 'PLATINUM' stripe package. But the charcoal/silver would have clashed with the buckskin interior.
I think I now have my plan to move forward.
Thanks for all the help everyone.

have you considered the burt reynolds edition BRE decals? kind of a more subdued hood bird with matte black center & gold highlights?

https://butlerperformance.com/images/F145286871

No, I have never seen that before! Thanks for the picture. I will research that a bit too. This forum is amazing! thanks.

thats not the best picture, the flames actually go all the way to the rear edge of the hood. its different than the factory birds but for a custom look, i like it & think it looks really good.

It makes it look like half the artwork has peeled off and missing.