Topic: 78 trans am SE y88 w72 value update

[bobg]

Well I went and checked this car out being that it sounded like a super deal for $3000. Turns out it isn't what the guy thought it was. It is actually a 78 trans am L78/W72 with ws6, 4 speed.The original motor and trans are sitting out of the car due to him starting to restore it.He also has a extra 1975 400 engine with a edelgrock performer intake and carbsitting on a engine stand ready to go. He showed me an extra set of #62 and #15 heads along with header for the car. Also the car comes with a extra 12 bolt posi with 3:73 richmond gears.The body is straight with a few spots here and there with rust bubbles. (nothing major) I did wind up buying the car, but I only paid $1000 for everything. This car does have a sunroof, will it hurt the value changing it to a t-top or should I keep it a solid roof? Thanks everyone for your input.

[kentuckyyeti]

Sounds like you did really well!  Congratulations on a good deal.  From my personal experience with these cars, unless it is a low-mile, somewhat rare from the factory-optioned car, you aren't going to kill the value if you want to weld in a Fisher top for the car.  With the exception of a Y81 (which I have never had the privilege of owning) I think a Fisher top increases the value on 77-81 cars.  I know that they sell faster and bring more money.  If the car is not a SE, and you want t-tops, you should do it.  Just my .02 on it.

[RENOVATIONS]

I'd love to see pix as it sounds like you got a GREAT deal.

I'd ditch the sunroof roof later and put it back to hardtop....adding a t-top roof would be your choice as it's your car. But yes, originality is always better when it comes to value. Whether it hurts value depends on your eventual plans for the car.

[brian c]

Pictures???

Sounds like you got yourself a very nice project at a decent price! Personally I'd keep it hard top but as mentioned its your car so do what you want.

[Rebel 5150]

With the exception of a Y81 (which I have never had the privilege of owning) I think a Fisher top increases the value on 77-81 cars. 

And I'm not so sure that the Y81s aren't actually hurt by the lack of tops.  Seems like they lag behind in $$$ amount in sales when compared to the Y82.

[kentuckyyeti]

With the exception of a Y81 (which I have never had the privilege of owning) I think a Fisher top increases the value on 77-81 cars. 

And I'm not so sure that the Y81s aren't actually hurt by the lack of tops.  Seems like they lag behind in $$$ amount in sales when compared to the Y82.

 What I was saying is that the Y81 value would be killed by adding t-tops.  If a Y81 gets tops, It is no longer a Y81.  You can just but a black hardtop cheaper.

[Rebel 5150]

With the exception of a Y81 (which I have never had the privilege of owning) I think a Fisher top increases the value on 77-81 cars. 

And I'm not so sure that the Y81s aren't actually hurt by the lack of tops.  Seems like they lag behind in $$$ amount in sales when compared to the Y82.

 What I was saying is that the Y81 value would be killed by adding t-tops.  If a Y81 gets tops, It is no longer a Y81.  You can just but a black hardtop cheaper.

Yeah, I guess I kind of came across wrong here, I was just trying to say that even though the Y81s are rarer, it seems they lag behind the Y82s in value because the t-top cars seem to be more in demand.

[Rick]

I'd ditch the sunroof roof later and put it back to hardtop....

Milly will be crushed...

[kentuckyyeti]

78T/A:  I agree with that 100%.  I always have a harder time selling a hardtop than a t-top, and a lower mileage hardtop won't bring as much as a higher mileage t-top (cars' conditions being similiar).

[RENOVATIONS]

I'd ditch the sunroof roof later and put it back to hardtop....

Milly will be crushed...

I will have a spare hardtop roof (at some point)...I'll pencil Milly's name on it


And I agree with Mike...while hardtops are fine, most people associate t-tops with Trans Ams so they will usually be more sought after.

[Solar78]

Hey hey hey.... The Y81 may lag in value behind the Y82... BUT THEY DON'T LEAK! hahahaha

Ok so I am bias!!!

[kentuckyyeti]

Hey hey hey.... The Y81 may lag in value behind the Y82... BUT THEY DON'T LEAK! hahahaha

Ok so I am bias!!!

I want a Y81.  Never had one to go with my Y82, 84, 85, 88 and 89.  Where do you find the 81's?  I just have lots better luck selling t-top cars from 77-81 years.

[Rebel 5150]

I really miss my Y81.  Seems like every time I come across one, which isn't often, its either priced to the moon or its a basket case. 

[Solar78]

I really miss my Y81.  Seems like every time I come across one, which isn't often, its either priced to the moon or its a basket case. 

hahahahha
Yeah I agree.... I have only come across two... one I bought.. the other was a rust bucket and TOTALLY over priced.... mine needed tons of work too...but the body was solid for the most part...and a 4 speed which is required in my world.

T-Tops 100% sell better.. its the novelty of it all.. and nobody drives the cars in the rain anymore anyway...so leaks are not an issue really.

I love the hardtop... just think it looks nice and clean... Now if I have to be honest... a Red 77/78 T-Top 4 speed is where my heart really is!!! I would LOVE one of them.... but they are just too expensive these days.....