'76 Trans Am, good buy? advice needed!

[christophv]

Hi,

I have a chance to get a '76 Trans Am with 44k miles for 2500€ (or about 3000$). It's black and needs probably some work.

It has a impressively powerful 8.4l big block in it, but I don't know yet which engine that is. It's new/rebuilt.

Is that a fair price?
I heard a lot about rust problems since steel quality in the 70s was very low. true?

and can you give me some pointers for what I would have look regarding weaknesses of this car?
Are there any special things that could break easily (suspension, exhaust, cams, transmission etc?)?

please help me and list some pros and cons!!

thanks

[MagicRat]

Confirm that engine size. It works out to 509 cubic inches. The '76 cars have either a 400 or 455 cid engine. If it is 509 cid, its an aftermarket engine, and expensive (but a rare and valuable find), or an early '70's Cadillac 500 cid block, which would have been a custom installation, and not worth as much as a stock engine.
These cars are very strong and robust. Nothing about them is weak or fraglie. However, if they are badly bused or neglected, here are some problem areas:
They are heavy (3700 lbs) and bulky, compared to todays standards, but that is part of their charm.
Look for rust in the floor and unit body area, especially around the rear axle and wheels. These cars had a front sub frame bolted to the unit body, just behind the front wheels. Make sure the rubber mounts are good and the metal is rust free.
If these cars are very badly abused, the roof will crack, (especially if its a removable glass roof panels) especially on the driver side, just there the side window glass meets the roof at the corner of the window.
The 400 and 455 engines produce very good power but are not intended to rev much beyond 4500 rpm. Repeated revving beyond 5000 rpm may (but not always) damage the engine.
watch for sagging door hinges and worn side window guides (which results in scratched side window glass.) They are fairly easy to fix, using a repair kit, but are a common problem.

[christophv]

Finally, thanks a lot!!
great tips!

jep, the engine is a swap of course. It has a little front damage and the large engine probably requires a different hood.

It is from a guy who sells his firebird collection, so it's probably in good condition / not abused. Didn't see it so far.

cu

[RavagePenguin]

The only problem with Trans Am 74-76 are the front ends. What I mean is that they are very hard to find. Now if it has dents that can be pulled or the rust easily patch your ok. I have a 75 Trans Am like you see by my name. Now the story on it was that I bought it like that. The guy before me bought without a front end and couldn't find a 75 or an engine. So he put a 71 on it. The car is partly restored. Test drive the car too. They guy/girl could be ripping you off. Now the engine is probably why it's 3000 dollars if it's not the original or it's a 509. I bought my car with a 4.9 301(Not the original engine) for about 841.00. the front end that are compatible to look like a 76 is a 74 or a 75.

[crazy legs]

probably the biggest test besides looking at the underbody would be using a magnet to touch around the body...the fenders, and trunk area were notorious for rusting...other than that, the cars are very strong. The only other thing I can recommend if you do get it, check the owners work...by this I mean look at all the vacuum lines, carb, intake...My current car appeared in great shape, until about 3 weeks later when I found air leaks all over the intake and vacuum lines routed incorrectly!

[79Bandit]

if your looking for a car to put a little elbow grease into then yes as with all performance engines there going to nickle and dime you. but its all worth listining to that beaut idle. another tip would to make sure your eletrics work! (blinkers wipers brakes ac. ect..)

T tops will allway leak, your door handles are , well crap, you allways seen them flopping around, they most allways need to be replaced on high mile cars.

Do you have a BB chevy in it?