1976 Pontiac Trans Am, Matching # 455, 4 Speed, Black/Black

Pontiac Trans Am 1976 Description

In 1976 the Pontiac Firebird Trans Am was THE American Muscle Car to have. With a muscular stance, flares and spoilers all around it was unlike anything from Detroit at the time save the Camaro. But even Chevy didn’t have what the guys at Pontiac had; the ground-pounding big block 455 H.O. mated to a 4-speed transmission to put the power to the road. In fact, this car was so admired by Road Test magazine back in the day they declared it as “…the fastest accelerating and best-cornering American car you can buy”.

The late 70s were soon to descend in to a morass of vehicles largely characterized as sheep dressed in wolves clothing with beastly motors like the 455 no longer en vogue. Thankfully American muscle has risen once again but if you are looking for one of the last greats before the decline, look no further than the 1976 455 Pontiac T/A 4 speed.

The car before you is a true 455, matching numbers W code car, not a tribute, clone or any other manifestation of recreation. It is, in fact, a beautiful, rust free, black on black T/A with the right motor and transmission. This is a purist’s version, base code without a lot of bells and whistles. A machine equipped for more go than show (although with the high gloss black and subtle silver Firebird it is arguably one of the best looking combinations around).

Undoubtedly the new owner may want to finish off a few details but this T/A is out of the box ready to go and sure to turn heads anywhere it goes. It sounds mean, runs like a scalded dog and shines like Darth Vader’s suit. It’s got relatively new flow-through exhaust (including new chrome tips), new door sills, new shaker honeycomb, new T/A decals and few other odds and ends to give it a finish you’ll be proud of.

For those without the secret VIN decoder ring, here are a few tidbits on how to decipher your next Pontiac Firebird VIN. Included is this car’s VIN for comparison. The 5th digit the one you want here- W means 455 (or as you might have argued back in 1976 “Wicked”).

Happy bidding!

THIS T/A VIN: 2W87W6N583288

1st digit - GM Division

2 = Pontiac

2nd digit - Series Number

S = Base Firebird

T = Esprit

U = Formula

W = Trans Am (75 - 81)

3rd and 4th digit - Body Type

87 = Sport Coupe

5th digit - Engine Code

D = 250 c.i.d, 1-bbl V6 (1972 - 76)

M = 350 c.i.d, 2-bbl V8 (single exhaust) (1972 - 76)

P = 350 c.i.d, 4-bbl V8 (1976)

W = 455 c.i.d, 4-bbl V8 (1975 -76)

Z = 400 c.i.d, 4-bbl V8 (1976 - 79)

6th digit - Model Year

6 = 1976

7th digit - Assembly Plant

N = Norwood, Ohio

L = Van Nuys, California

Last 6 digits - Production Number

100001/up