A restored 1977 Pontiac Trans Am SE is scheduled to cross the auction block at the 2026 Kissimmee sale, representing one of the most recognizable performance cars of the late 1970s and a turning point for General Motors’ pony car lineup.
By the early 1970s, rising insurance costs, tightening emissions rules, and looming fuel economy standards had sharply curtailed the horsepower wars that defined the muscle car era. For GM’s F-body cars, 1970 marked the high point for outright performance. Even so, Pontiac continued to push its performance image, earning its long-held reputation as GM’s Excitement Division. That effort paid off both on the street and in the showroom as the Trans Am evolved into the brand’s flagship performance model.
Momentum accelerated dramatically in 1977 when the black-and-gold Trans Am became a pop culture phenomenon after starring in Smokey and the Bandit. The film transformed the Trans Am into a national icon, driving demand to levels Pontiac had not previously seen. By 1979, Trans Am sales surpassed Camaro sales for the first time, with more than 117,000 examples produced that year.
The 1977 Trans Am SE heading to Kissimmee reflects that peak in popularity. The car has undergone a comprehensive restoration and is finished in Starlight Black with gold decals and pinstriping, closely mirroring the appearance that made the model famous. Power comes from its original 400-cubic-inch L78 V8, paired with a four-speed manual transmission. The car is equipped with the W72 Performance Package, reinforcing its status as one of the more desirable configurations of the era.
Additional factory features include T-tops, a center console, an AM-FM cassette stereo, a machine-turned dash, a remote mirror, and a gold-tone Formula steering wheel. Snowflake wheels are fitted with reproduction Goodyear Polysteel raised white-letter tires, completing the period-correct presentation.
Adding to its appeal, the sale includes themed memorabilia tied to the Bandit image, such as a cowboy hat, a red Trans Am jacket, and a wedding veil similar to the one seen in the film.
The car is set to cross the block at the Mecum Auctions Kissimmee, Florida event in 2026, offering collectors a restored example from the height of the Trans Am’s cultural and commercial impact.