 1976 Pontiac Limited Edition Trans Am coupe |
The 1976 Pontiac Firebird Limited Edition Trans Am was a special version of Pontiac's top Pony car, an outgrowth of an idea suggested by GM styling chief William L. Mitchell and executed by designer John R. Schinella.
Introduced to commemorate Pontiac's 50th anniversary, the Limited Edition was mechanically the same as other Trans Ams -- but you couldn't miss it on the street. It was all black, highlighted by gold striping, grille insert and trim, with gold colored, honeycomb pattern polycast wheels. Inside was a gold-anodized instrument panel appliquZ, gold steering wheel spokes, and special upholstery.
A Hurst T-bar roof with smoke-tinted removable glass panels was offered as an extra on this limited edition Trans Am, but leak problems led Pontiac to curtail installations to just 643. The deliberately restricted production run quickly sold out, which convinced Pontiac to offer a similar treatment under the name Special Edition for 1977-1979.
These are far more numerous and hence less desirable from the collector standpoint, though they're immensely desirable cars. The big-block 455-cid V-8 vanished after 1976.
Pluses of the 1976 Pontiac Firebird Limited Edition Trans Am:
- Fine performance
- Looks still turn heads
- Low production appeal
- Super handling
Minuses of the 1976 Pontiac Firebird Limited Edition Trans Am:
- Collector prices not firmly established at present
- Difficult and expensive to insure
- Sure-fire thief and cop bait
- Very thirsty
Production of the 1976 Pontiac Firebird Limited Edition
Trans Am:
2,400
Specifications of the 1976
Pontiac Firebird Limited Edition Trans Am:
Wheelbase, inches: 108.2
Length, inches: 196.8
Weight, pounds: approximately 3,600
Price, new: $8,500 (U.S.)
Engines for the 1976 Pontiac Firebird Limited Edition
Trans Am:
| Type | Size | Horsepower | Years |
| ohv V-8 | 400 cid | 185* | 1976 |
| ohv V-8 | 455 cid | 200* | 1976 |
* SAE net
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