[Bungee]

I bought a '78 Trans Am used from a dealer. He closed his doors weeks later, having filed filed for bankruptsy.

He misrepresented a number of things to get this sale, part of which was selling this as an "Gold Anniversary Edition Trans Am." I am wondering if I have a Special Edition, but I doubt it . . . the details don't match the Special Edition models I've researched.

Only thing I'm certain of is that it's a '78. Here are the details:

1. Gold factory paint.
2. Metal/acrylic Firebird emblem on sail panel (not a decal).
3. No T-top.
4. "Trans Am" spoiler/fender decal color scheme and design (lt. gold / drk. gold / brown) matches the '79 anniversary edition (1979 Decal Example), NOT the smaller block-style lettering of '78's (1978 Decal Example).
5. 4-speed Borg-Warner tranny.
6. 400 CID Pontiac motor.
7. WS6 suspension package.

Anyone know what I've got here?

Thanks

[Bungee]

I bought a '78 Trans Am used from a dealer. He closed his doors weeks later, having filed filed for bankruptsy.

He misrepresented a number of things to get this sale, part of which was selling this as an "Gold Anniversary Edition Trans Am." I am wondering if I have a Special Edition, but I doubt it . . . the details don't match the Special Edition models I've researched.

Only thing I'm certain of is that it's a '78. Here are the details:

1. Gold factory paint.
2. Metal/acrylic Firebird emblem on sail panel (not a decal).
3. No T-top.
4. "Trans Am" spoiler/fender decal color scheme and design (lt. gold / drk. gold / brown) matches the '79 anniversary edition (1979 Decal Example), NOT the smaller block-style lettering of '78's (1978 Decal Example).
5. 4-speed Borg-Warner tranny.
6. 400 CID Pontiac motor.
7. WS6 suspension package.

Anyone know what I've got here?

Thanks

[John Witzke]

Bungee, it is difficult to say for sure since you may not know the nearly 25-year history of your car. By what you are describing it sounds as if you have a base model 1978 Trans Am. All Y88 gold special edition cars came from the factory with UPC code CC1 Fisher t-tops and camel interior.

Since all 1978 4-speed Trans Ams left the factory with the optional W72 engine you should verify the correct engine. To verify the original engine, the block code should be WC, which is located on the front of the block, passenger side machined surface under the cylinder head. Also check for the cars partial serial located on the machined surface just above were the oil pan and block meet next to the water pump.

The transmission used in the 1978 W72 Trans Am was the Borg Warner Super T-10 and can be identified by code ZT (1977-78) stamped on the rear of the side cover face case.

All 1978 4-speed Trans Ams came with 3.42:1 rear gears. The axle code, which is a two-character code, is stamped on the front top passenger side axle tube to the left of the carrier case. The axle correct code for this car is PY. An example could be , axle code PY G80621 would be deciphered as; PY = Ring Gear size, G = Manufacturer, Chevrolet Gear and Axle, 062 = Julian date which is the 62nd day of 1978, 1= is the shift when built, in this case 1st shift.

If it is indeed a factory produced 1978 W72 4-speed Trans Am, there were 12,665 (PHS list the production number at 12,692. I can explain the difference in numbers if needed) of these cars made. Of those 10,889 were base model cars.

As far as the correct color for the car I would need the information off the cowl data plate to verify exterior and interior color codes.

Starting with 1978 model year, the correct lettering style decals are the same as those you have listed under 1979 decal. Those you have listed under 1978 decal are the lettering style used from 1973-77.

Hope some of this information helps.

John Witzke
POCI/NFTAC Tech Advisor
1977-79 W72 Performance Package Historian.

[Bungee]

John, your the MAN!

I originally addressed this post to you, but I didn't know if you were still around. You also gave us some unique insights on T/A cam specs a little while ago.

Mucho gracias grande! (or something similar)

[dyingbreed]

Bungee,
Look at the cowl tag (under the hood, near the driver's side windshield wiper). If you have a gold edition T/A you should see "Y88" near the bottom of this metal tag! Also, the gold edition T/A will have the gold front bumber crest, gold birds on the manual window crank covers, gold shifter knob and gold horn button emblem. Hope this helps a little. I may be able to find some addition info, as I own a gold edition T/A (Y88)

db

[hoffman7476]

Don't sweat it. Sounds like you have a nice ride. Drive it and enjoy it. I would much rather have a non SE with WS6 than an SE without WS6. I have a Y-88 that I had to convert over. No one other than flakes like us will ever know the difference (Betcha get a lot of looks in that gold 'bird)

Oh yea, John, I guess some 78 Y-88's had auto and 2.56 gears. Mine did and it has y-88 on the cowl.

[ September 01, 2002, 03:56 PM: Message edited by: hoffman7476 ]

[Brian Baker]

One other thing John didn't add. If your car was originally gold (Solar Gold was the name of the color) it is one of not alot of Solar Gold T/A's. I don't think they are all that "rare" as I've seen alot of them painted Solar Gold lately, but this is a relatively low production color. It was one of GM's first experiments with water based paint, and it didn't work well, and subsequently the color was dropped from production. John, can you expound more on this?

[John Witzke]

Bungee, According to Pontiac memo dated Dec 8 1977 the Y88 package consisted of the following equipment;

Solar Gold Exterior Paint Code 50 with dark gold striping

Camel tan Base vinyl or Custom vinyl or cloth interior trim

Black Tail lamp Bezels windshield and back glass molding

Gold glass in Fisher t-tops with black moldings

Camel tan Formula steering wheel with gold spokes

Gold grill liners, instrument panel trim plate and interior and exterior emblems

Gold 7" cast aluminum wheels, 8" with WS6 Trans Am Performance Package.

MSRP = $1,259.00

Generally the Y88 code will be present on the cowl plate but I have heard were sometimes it wasn't there on real Y88 cars. Unless there is a build sheet the very best way to verify a car is through PHS.

hoffman 7476, all 1978 base L78 400 Pontiac engines used in the Trans Am and Formula came only with an automatic transmission and 2.56:1 rear gears. The optional 1978 400 HO W72 with an automatic had 3.23:1 gears while the 4-speeds had 3.42:1.

Hope this helps will all questions.

John Witzke
POCI Tech Advisor
1977-79 W72 Performance Package

[John Witzke]

Brian, Pontiac produced 8,666 Y88 special edition Trans Ams in 1978. You could also get the base model Trans Am in code 50 Solar Gold. Pontiac had problems with the gold Trans Ams produced at the Van Nuys CA plant due to the use of water based paint. From what I have been able to gather, Pontiac did not have any problems with the gold cars built at the Norwood OH assembly plant due to the use of a lacquer base paint. There was a rumor that Pontiac cancelled the gold special edition car part way through the 1978 model year, but from Pontiac build documents that I have show the Y88 being built through the end of the 1978 production. The black and gold special edition production for 1978 ended in Jan 1978 then returned for the 1979 model year. Solar Gold remained as an available color through 1980.

Hope this helps,

John Witzke
POCI Tech Advisor
1977-79 W72 Performance Package Historian

[hoffman7476]

Thanks John. I had always assumed that mine was a W72 because it has "TA/6.6" on the shaker. I thought the L78's had "6.6". I guess that explains the lo-po gear! (Doesn't really matter because it's not going to be very original although I enjoy learning about what's correct.)

[David Holmberg]

Hoffman, the TA6.6 motor also had Chrome valve covers, Dual resinator mufflers (instead of the single transverse muffler behind the rear axle).

[hoffman7476]

Mine didn't have the original engine but it did have the single transverse muffin with 2 outlets. It has the TA 6.6 on the shaker though...It's a pretty cool car with the gold tinted t-tops and the gold stuff in the interior. (Sold the knob for $50 on ebay )

[David Holmberg]

That explains the 2 something gear. The stickers were $8.00 ea from the factory, the shaker was the same on both 400's, so it could be either.

Still a sweet car, I had a Y88 from 78 to 82 then bought another one three years ago. (Needs complete restoring)