One-Owner 1977 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am Listed After 50
A 1977 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am with just 8,000 miles is being offered for sale for the first time since it was purchased new in Staunton, Virginia, in
A one-owner 1977 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am with only 8,000 miles is being offered for sale for the first time in fifty years. The car has remained in its original town of Staunton, Virginia, since it was purchased new on January 3, 1977.
This model is best known for its starring role in the 1977 film Smokey and the Bandit. The movie's success caused sales of the Trans Am to skyrocket.
The Car for Sale
The vehicle is finished in Starlight Black paint with a white vinyl interior. It retains its original, matching-numbers 400 cubic inch V8 engine, which was rated at 180 horsepower. Power is delivered through a 3-speed automatic transmission and a Safe-T-Track differential.
Factory equipment includes air conditioning, cruise control, power steering, and front disc brakes. Exterior features consist of Rally II wheels, a shaker hood, and a rear spoiler. The sale includes extensive original documentation.
The Trans Am's Evolution
The Trans Am began in 1969 as a performance package for the Firebird. The second generation arrived for the 1970 model year. Notable developments included the SD-455 engine, the oversized "Screaming Chicken" hood decal, and the black-and-gold Special Edition introduced in 1976.
Production figures surged after the car's cinematic fame. Output climbed from 46,704 units in 1976 to 117,108 by 1979. The source report details the model's technical progression through subsequent decades.
| Model Year | Key Engine/Feature | Notable Power Output (bhp) | Production Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1969 | Ram Air III 400 V8 | 335 | Package cost $724.60 |
| 1970½ | Ram Air III/IV V8 | 345/370 | Second generation debut |
| 1973-74 | SD-455 V8 | 290 (rated) | Hand-assembled; very limited production |
| 1977 | W72 400 V8 | 200 | Post-Smokey and the Bandit sales boom |
| 1979 | T/A 6.6 (400 V8) | 220 | Final year for Pontiac 400 engine |
| 1989 | 3.8L Turbo V6 | 250 | 20th Anniversary Turbo Trans Am |
| 1998 | LS1 V8 | 305 (320 with WS6) | All-aluminum engine introduction |
Cultural Impact and Film Fame
The oversized hood bird, nicknamed the "Screaming Chicken," was first proposed in 1970 but rejected. Designer John Schinella revived the idea, testing public reaction with a decal on his own car. It finally became a $55 option (WW7) for the 1973 model year.
The car's iconic status was sealed by Smokey and the Bandit. Director Hal Needham requested cars from Pontiac for the film. He reportedly received three Trans Ams and two LeMans sedans. The stunt cars used in the movie were 1976 bodies fitted with 1977 front-end parts, as the new model was not yet in production.
A stock automatic car could not reach the speed needed for the famous bridge jump. Needham fitted a race engine and manual gearbox to the jump car, which he drove himself. None of the screen cars survived filming intact.
Later Generations and Finale
Engine sourcing shifted in the 1980s. The 1982 third-generation car was lighter and shorter, using Chevrolet-sourced V8s. Fuel injection boosted power outputs later in the decade. The fourth generation launched in 1993 with the LT1 V8.
Performance versions like the WS6 Ram Air package returned in 1996. The final iteration used the LS1 engine before Firebird production ended in 2002. This low-mileage 1977 example represents a pristine snapshot from the model's peak cultural moment.
