1978 Pontiac Trans Am Y88 Gold Special Edition. Only available to order for a 3 month stretch from November of 1977 till end of January 1978, this is one of the most collectible, hard to find, and valuable Trans Am's around. The Y88 package meant code 50 Solar Gold paint, but also gold grilles and emblems, black taillamp housings, a formula steering wheel with camel tan covers and gold spokes, gold aluminum wheels and gold tinted T-tops among other goodies. This particular example is in restored condition and sports its original numbers matching 400 4-bbl V8, now balanced and blueprinted and backed by its factory original 4-speed Manual transmission. The engine rebuild was completed about 10 years ago and the car has driven very few km’s since then. The clock shows just 29,000 kms and documents provided with the car back up the milage. The Canadian Vintage documents from GM Canada are 3 pages long with options and come with the car! Here are some of the highlights: Deluxe seat belts, electric windows, front bucket seats, black window moldings, removable roof panels, pulse windshield wipers, rear window defrost, floor console, Posi traction 3.42 ratio rear axle, front disc brakes, L78 400 4-bbl V8, M21 close ratio 4-speed manual, tilt steering, special tail lamps, WS6 performance package (larger wheels and tires, larger sway bars and tighter ratio steering), rally gauges, ram-air shaker hood, W72 performance package (V8 and manual), custom front seats, Y88 gold special edition. In 1978 683 Y88 Trans Ams were available in Canada, and of those it’s thought that there were only 100-200 with the manual transmission. How many are left now? Not very many is the answer. A local Y88 owner and expert knows of just three Gold special editions in the province, and this is one of them.
This car’s own story is also special. Bought new at Jack May Pontiac in Manotick Ontario, it’s first owner sold it to the second owner just one year later in Edmonton on June 9th, 1979. This car has survived so well because the following 45 years with the second owner were spent in the Northwest Territories and Norther British Columbia. That second owner owned the car all the way up until March of 2025. Plenty of documented work has also kept the Trans Am in very nice condition. In 1998 some rust work was completed along with a repaint of the entire car. In 2014 the louver kit was installed on the rear window. In 2011 more extensive work was completed including recovering the seats, new carpet, hood bird and pinstripe kit. Floor pans were repaired along with the tail lamp panel, rad support, inner fenders and battery tray. New weather stripping was also installed at the time. A new fuel tank, sending unit and fuel lines completed the work. In 2025 a new battery was installed before coming to our dealership. Receipts and bills for all of the work are included with the car, but the Trans-Am remains largely original. The T-top bags, jack and tools are still in the trunk. The car starts, runs and drives very nicely and everything appears to work except for aftermarket cassette deck. The interior is practically perfect. The exterior has the odd dent or scratch, and although not concours condition, is still shows very nice for any collectible car this old.
Being that this car is extremely rare, it’s hard to even find others to compare it to. It would make the ultimate addition to any collector who loves the unique and obscure. Pricing will reflect the rarity of this one. Serious enquirers can call to know more or to take home one of the most collectible cars we’ve ever had in our showroom.
The above vehicle information is complete and accurate to the best of our knowledge at the time of posting. Corrections or additions may be made without notice. All advertised to be true but not guaranteed. We assume no liability for errors or omissions.
