Opinions on Trans-Am's (Bandit Era 77-81)

[Low_E30]

What do the panel think of these second generation Trans Ams?...

Always wanted one, but always been too scared to buy into any kind of American metal....

Soo cool in a retro way imo, but at the same time iv heard they're more headache than they're worth....

[suchy]

77/78 is my fave all-time car. Obviously has to be the proper 400 t-top in black with gold decals, black leather interior and running on Snowflakes

As much as I still like the 79/80 model, I wouldn't want to own one as I prefer the front end of the 77/78 and that's the proper model to own...

I've always promised myself one but also promised myself that it will be a car I'll never sell. I just think they're awesome. Doesn't help that the original SatB is also my fave film of all time

The Year One Bandit Trans-Am's that came out a few years ago are also awesome and I'd deffo have one of those instead

[pacerpete]

Obviously by 2012 standards they are pretty crap BUT as a bit of 70s kitsch over kill they are the ultimate!

Most were dynamically rather underwhelming but if the right options were ticked, they were still fairly serious, by the standards of the time. 0-60 in 6.5 sec/ 130 mph/ great handling IF the road is smooth AND dry and more tyre smoke than you can shake a stick at.
On the downside, they were an American Capri , they were cheap and cheerful and disposable. Now they are lots of money which puts me off more than the 12 mpg

I have had loads , back when they were £1500 My last one was bought in 2000 for £850 with short tax and test. It was a rare UK market car in original black with womb red velourz It was a really decent unrusty turd that should have been rescued but was sold to local hero/ nutter GBH for a good eric and he proceeded to destroy it re enacting various S+B and Dukes of Hazzard stunts , on the public road .
It soldiered on bravely for a few years and was last seen with grass growing up through its 'shaker' scoop


Like all old cars, the biggest issue is rust and previous owners.

These cars are now only going one way value wise so a good spec original decent car should prove to be a decent investment and more importantly lots of fun

[suchy]

Yeah I remember when a show worthy 'Bandit' rep car was £5k, now you'd want £15k to buy the same thing

Not the best of the muscle era by far but as Pete says above the ultimate 70's kitsch! You can still drive one on the road without the majority of on-lookers laughing at you like they would if you were driving a General Lee '68 Charger. I'd bloody love one of those also! Saying that I'd love to own;

77 Trans-Am (obvious spec)
68 Charger (obvious spec)
70 Challenger 440 in white with black vinyl interior
73 Mach 1 in yellow
55 Chevy in primer grey
32 three window Ford in 'p*ss' yella

Guess my favorite films of all time- childhood dreams that still remain....

[Low_E30]

Man, they are sexy, especially in the right colour and livery.....


What do the panel think of this?... desirable year model being a '77, but no T top.....

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1977-BLACK-PO ... 3cc9631f47

But I have always fancied a 1980, does this one below offer any value for money? even though its in the wrong colour..... I take it 1980/81 Trans Ams are worth less then the earlier ones?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1980-PONTIAC- ... 4d039b6739

Those Year-One recreation snowflakes but made in modern larger sizes (17,18,19 +) are a cool idea and look the business...

[suchy]

For me it has to be a T-Top to be proper. Lovely car, needs a respray and full decal replacement but still a nice car, but for me it would have to be a proper T-Topped original black version.

The 79/80 flat fronted version is still a nice car and has some kudos as it's a 'Son of Trigger' car as used in the second film, but it ain't Trigger. Look great in other colours though especially blue or white

Personally I prefer the Firebird 'Beak' front end and Snowflakes of the 77.

[pacerpete]

Factory black is the only way to go. Be warned, many that are black were not always, the original spec is easy to decipher by checking the vin tag. That black one looks fairly decent BUT it depends how much rust is lurking.

T tops are deemed more desireable but they squeak and leak , I prefer them without. That blue car originally had a 4.9 turbo donk which probably expired like most did . The most sought after engine is the Pontiac 400 , which is 6.6 litres, confusingly the most common engine was a lower power Oldsmobile 403 which was also billed as a 6.6 litre. Most are auto with very tall ratio LSD axles, which makes for reasonable cruising mpg but blunts performance.

The US aftermarket parts support for these cars is huge, everything can be bought for reasonable money.. The engines are very basic and with the original emission controls very under stressed. Many will have now been 'desmogged' and been retrofitted with go faster bits, often doubling the original power output . This is good news IF the work has been done properly.

[Rodderz]

These were once the most un-cool council car EVER, but obviously not now. One would be a long way down my yank priority list, but the previous series(I think they call them bullnose?) would be near the top!

[suchy]

A nice '72 'bullnose' Trans Am is a great looking car

[Low_E30]

The year one version with the oversized Snowflakes and many other modern parts, including zenons headlamps suspension, brakes, engine, ice, etc etc.... Basically an up to date Trans Am, cool idea but seriously deep pockets required.

[nickso]

These were once the most un-cool council car EVER, but obviously not now. One would be a long way down my yank priority list, but the previous series(I think they call them bullnose?) would be near the top!

So much better looking than the fugly "bandit" model.

If I ever have the money I'll have one in Brewster Green just like McQ's

[B7]

These were once the most un-cool council car EVER, but obviously not now. One would be a long way down my yank priority list, but the previous series(I think they call them bullnose?) would be near the top!

So much better looking than the fugly "bandit" model.

If I ever have the money I'll have one in Brewster Green just like McQ's

Thats the baby for me as well. So much prettier than the 70's and 80's cars.

[Low_E30]

Now this one is a beauty, but at 15 bags and the price of a nice E30 M3, cant ever justify buying one as dear as that.....

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1978-TRANS-AM ... 6rk%3D1%26

[kangman]

id rather have a trans am like that over a 15k m3 E30. but running and maintenance cost for that yank box is punishment.

KEEP ON TRUCKING

[Low_E30]

I think it abit like what Pete's saying, I remember when they were £1200 all day long in The Loot (Should have bagged one then ).... So £15K large leaves abit of a mental block...

Granted E30 M3's were undervalued at a time, at about 2000-2002 i remember seeing cabs and E-platers at about £4-5K mark, but they were never unloved like a Trans Am....

Id have 7 grand for one, but god know what you'd get at that end of the scale....

[pacerpete]

I think it abit like what Pete's saying, I remember when they were £1200 all day long in The Loot (Should have bagged one then ).... So £15K large leaves abit of a mental block...

Granted E30 M3's were undervalued at a time, at about 2000-2002 i remember seeing cabs and E-platers at about £4-5K mark, but they were never unloved like a Trans Am....

Id have 7 grand for one, but god know what you'd get at that end of the scale....

Nice Trans Ams never really dropped below 4k. You had to be quick to get the 1k snotters.
That 15k one has Hurst T tops, these were done after market and usually led to all sorts of rusty roof dramas. The factory T tops are easy to destinguish as they go all the way back to the rear edge of the door glass.

The early 70s cars are now highly sought after because of their pure lines and supercar performance . These earlier cars are now 20k + for something nice and correct.

The 'disco' era cars are trading mostly on their looks but looking at what is happening price wise, obviously plenty of people like them

[Rodderz]

T tops like this one Pete!?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1978-Trans-Am ... 4168b85514

They do look nice, but it's still has the bald head with ponytail image in my eyes!

[Low_E30]

^^ Looks like it... Most seem to have a slush box, but there was a 4 speed 'stick shift' (as the yanks call it).... The manual must be bags of fun...

[pacerpete]

T tops like this one Pete!?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1978-Trans-Am ... 4168b85514

They do look nice, but it's still has the bald head with ponytail image in my eyes!

Yes, that is a factory T top car, the one posted earlier had the Hurst tops.

Come on Rodderz, you have an old cortina and a scooby, your image can only get better !