Completely darkened save for the lights and reflectors, this 1976 Pontiac Trans Am in Godfrey, Illinois looks as black as Lincoln’s top hat and rusty as a sunken Civil War battleship. Joking aside, we’ve all seen worse-looking rides restored to show-quality grandeur, so don’t poo-poo this Pontiac’s potential. The Poncho’s 455, four-speed manual gearbox, and factory air conditioning make it an interesting find. Check out more pictures and details here on eBay where at least seven bidders have cast a bid, easing the mid-west classic’s market value over $3000 with about three days left.
Can rust fly? Pontiac’s 455 cubic inch V8 will give it a fighting chance, though the seller recommends a solid donor car. This beast runs and drives, though the listing calls it “not roadworthy.” It’s rare to see a ’70s car this rusty wearing an air conditioning belt; mark that as one good omen. Horsepower ratings reached all-time lows in the mid-’70s but that big-inch torque will make itself known, especially with the attached four-speed.
Blackness continues inside, except for the snazzy engine-turned dash and other brightwork. That three-spoke steering wheel is about as cool as they came in ’76. With no center console, the no-nonsense shifter sprouting from the carpeting begs for a workout, one performer in a delicate dance of converting torque into forward thrust as the 455 works hard to melt the stock-sized tires.
Just guessing here, but it’s too bad nobody took pictures of this car in the field or yard where it sat for decades before finding this garage. Expect a host of cutting, measuring, and sizzling metal before this Trans Am heads eastbound and down. Luckily many restoration and replacement parts for these popular Pontiacs are plentiful. The allure of a black Trans Am carries across multiple generations. What future do you see for this passed-over Poncho?
Contact to buy; https://barnfinds.com/can-rust-fly-455-4-speed-1976-pontiac-trans-am/
