Ownership review: My 1977 Pontiac Firebird Trans AM

I've always loved everything about Firebirds, from the timeless styling, to the very functional and beautiful race inspired dash layout in the Trans Am.

BHPian AKTransAM recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

I've always loved old school pushrod V8's and muscle cars, since I'm a complete dinosaur (and proud of it). I detest technology in vehicles, and actively try to avoid it. I enjoy working on old mechanical engines, since you can actually fix things in them with basic tools. As far as car movies go "Smokey and the Bandit" will always be one of my favorite movies , with arguably the most beautiful car ever made (I'm biased of course), a 1977 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am. I've always loved everything about Firebirds, from the timeless styling, to the very functional and beautiful race inspired dash layout in the Trans Am. Obviously, I couldn't really afford a spare car other than a normal daily driver for the longest time, until I could. Which was fortunate for me at the time as these cars have now become extremely desirable.

A few years ago I started looking, and spent a whole year looking for a 1977-78 Trans Am (with the classic hawkbill front end), and either found cars that were extremely overpriced, or complete garbage. Out of the blue, my old boss (who was his own muscle car collection) sent me a link to a 77 Trans Am out of state on Craigslist. By this point I'd become pretty frustrated in the search, but contacted the seller. As it turned out, we became good friends, since he was originally from Alaska. And he told me later that based on our phone conversation, he held the car for me until I could have someone check it out for me, despite a couple of folks approaching him with cash in hand for the car. Had her shipped here, and unlike most other friends who baby their muscle cars, and don't drive them in the rain, she's my daily driver for 6 months of the year, rain or shine. I put her in storage for the Winter. I got her bone stock with 66K original miles, original numbers matching Pontiac 400 (6.6 litre) engine and TH350 transmission. I've put on another 20K miles on her in the past few years. There's something really beautiful about watching the functional shaker hood scoop rumble and have the flapper door move with acceleration to take in more air. Not to mention the amazing sound of a burbling 400 with a 4bbl carburetor, and the smell of gasoline all around. In case anyone's wondering, 10 mpg (if I drive carefully). Any spirited acceleration for even a short burst, and the gas gauge will noticeably be lower at the end of the burst, as soon as the secondaries open up. I've owned and sold other fun old vehicles since then, including a Vette, a Camaro, and a Wagoneer among others, but she's the only one that will always remain.

As far as handling goes..well she's the best handling of all the muscle cars by far, but she is 1-3/4 tons of old Detroit steel with a massive engine in front, so she's never going to outhandle any Corvette or European car, but that was never what she was built for.

Forgot to add a constant source of amusement for most people who don't know old cars. No cupholders. But the console is wide enough heh heh.

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