This 1978 Pontiac Trans Am Y88 Gold Special Edition is a one-year only special edition created exclusively for the 1978 model year. With the success of Smokey and the Bandit, sales of the Trans Am were on the rise. After the success of the 1977 black and gold Special Edition, Pontiac tried reversing the paint scheme and created the 1978 Gold Special Edition. The Y88 Gold Special Edition included Solar Gold paint with dark gold pin striping, gold headlight opening trim, gold Pontiac nose emblem, and gold tinted T-tops. Gold 15-7-inch snowflake wheels with gold emblem center caps were also standard equipment. The package added $1,259 to the price of the Trans Am. One of the most striking features on the car was a new 5-color "screaming chicken" hood decal. Also, Special Editions built after March 9, 1978, received black instead of body color taillamp bezels.
Inside, the special edition cars featured a Camel Tan interior, gold engine turn instrument panel, and tan Formula steering wheel with gold spokes. Cars with power windows and automatic transmission such as this car received a gold Firebird emblem on the door panels and a gold emblem on the shifter knob. Other options ordered on this car include tilt steering column, velour custom upholstery and rear window defroster. An Alpine AM/FM/CD stereo has been added for cruising enjoyment.
Rare Y88 Special Edition
Factory WS6 Special Performance Package
PHS documented
Rebuilt 400 cubic inch Pontiac engine and TH350 transmission
Air conditioning
T-Tops
15x8 factory snowflake wheels
Tilt steering column
Alpine stereo
This car was also ordered with the highly desirable WS6 Performance Package that includes 15-8-inch snowflake wheels, larger stabilizer bars and quick-ratio power steering. The 400 cubic Pontiac engine and TH350 automatic transmission have both been rebuilt. The engine has been upgraded with an Edelbrock aluminum intake manifold, factory-style chrome valve covers and an updated air conditioning system. The upgraded dual exhaust system is equipped with great-sounding Magnaflow mufflers and the correct chrome splitter exhaust tips at the end.
Included with the car is PHS (Pontiac Historical Services) documentation and a copy of the factory invoice that authenticates this Trans Am as a real WS6 Performance Package and Y88 Special Edition car.
Only 8,666 Y88 Gold Special Editions left the factory in 1978. This disco-era bird came out at a time when the Trans Am was the hottest thing on the road. Pontiac continued to produce special editions but none were as "golden" as the Y88 Gold Special Edition. Rare, restored and beautiful, this fun to drive 1978 Pontiac Trans Am Y88 Special Edition presents a rare chance to own a really great Pontiac. Call today!
