A remarkably preserved 1978 Pontiac Trans Am, kept by its original owner for more than 40 years, has surfaced as a rare example of Pontiac’s late-era muscle identity. The car, finished in Martinique Blue and showing just 6,000 miles, was ordered new in Iowa by a man named Larry, who maintained it meticulously until his death last summer. His only request was that the car be passed on to someone who understood its importance beyond its monetary value.
The Trans Am was retrieved by Dave Hall of Restore a Muscle Car, who has seen many survivor-grade vehicles but acknowledged the rarity of encountering an example with such low mileage and originality. The car had spent its life tucked inside a garage, shielded from the elements, with only light dust from rural roads hinting at its past.
For 1978, the Trans Am represented one of Pontiac’s strongest remaining ties to the muscle-car era. Its refreshed front end, shaker hood and familiar graphics helped define the model as a standout during a period when performance machines were dwindling. Power comes from the TA 6.6-liter V8, rated at 220 horsepower and 320 pound-feet of torque at the time. Period testing often revealed considerably higher output, with many stock examples reaching as much as 260 to 280 horsepower. Larry paired the engine with a four-speed manual and drove the car sparingly, taking care to avoid unnecessary wear.
When Hall opened the garage, the car appeared largely untouched. The metallic blue paint still carried its original sheen, the factory-style Polysteel Radial tires remained in place and the interior presented like a preserved showroom example. Its black cabin featured the original 8-track player, air conditioning and bright gauges, while the trunk contained an unused spare and even the original headliner, carefully stored.
Hall prepared to move the car just as rain began to fall — fitting, since the Trans Am had never been driven in wet weather. When he started the engine, the V8 settled into a steady idle, demonstrating that the car still ran well despite its years of inactivity. It will require a light mechanical refresh and detailed cleaning, but it remains impressively intact.
After four decades in the same hands, the Trans Am is now headed toward a new owner, retaining the authenticity Larry worked to preserve. It leaves his garage much as it was delivered: original, well-kept and ready for its next chapter.