Author Topic: '77 or '78 SE  (Read 3891 times)

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Offline burtbook

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'77 or '78 SE
« on: August 28, 2009, 08:33:21 PM »
Hi, I'm new to the forum. I have the opportunity to purchase either a '77 or '78 SE. Both cars are #'s matching W72 auto cars with pretty much the same options except the '77 has cloth seats. Both cars are in about the same condition - rust in the rear quarters, the '77 interior is in a little better shape, both have Hurst T-Tops. Both are priced at $10k. Although I am buying the car to keep which year is more desireable to collectors if I decide to sell in the future.

Offline jphillips3333

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Re: '77 or '78 SE
« Reply #1 on: August 28, 2009, 09:00:10 PM »
If you're wanting to sell it as a collector car in the future, get the PHS docs.  People get burned and everyone seems to have the Trans Am used in Smokey & the Bandit - those cars are on craigslist every month!

There were apparently 3760 Y82 SE's in 77, 2856 Y82 SE's in 78 and 68 Y84's in 78.  Those were the numbers on the 400/automatics.  Not sure what 78's had fisher t-tops, perhaps the Y84? 

So, the numbers, are they that important ...or real, probably not.  The important thing is that you enjoy whatever you get.  Drive it, get out to shows, have fun with it.

Post some pix of what you're considering and you'll get comments.  Tell the seller to wait until you run it by some friends ...afterall, it's a buyer's market right now.
John

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Offline Anderson0741

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Re: '77 or '78 SE
« Reply #2 on: August 28, 2009, 11:09:10 PM »
They better have minimal rust for 10K unrestored.

Offline Trans am Oz

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Re: '77 or '78 SE
« Reply #3 on: August 29, 2009, 03:00:14 AM »
yer the Y84's had em cos our Y84 has the Fisher tops ;D

Offline Anderson0741

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Re: '77 or '78 SE
« Reply #4 on: August 29, 2009, 03:41:48 AM »
yer the Y84's had em cos our Y84 has the Fisher tops ;D

This statement confuses me

Offline Trans am Oz

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Re: '77 or '78 SE
« Reply #5 on: August 29, 2009, 09:05:08 AM »
John wrote
Quote
Not sure what 78's had fisher t-tops, perhaps the Y84?

This is what my remarks were about

Offline brian c

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Re: '77 or '78 SE
« Reply #6 on: August 29, 2009, 09:08:39 AM »
Definitely post some pics. They sound overpriced at 10k if they have rust SE or not.

In terms of collectability the car used in Smokey & The Bandit was supposed to represent a stock 77 car so its a little more desireable than a 78 as the 77 is more accurate to the movie. To the casual buyer though, if you stuck a 77 and a 78 next to eachother with the same paint and options most probably wouldn't pick out the differences.

1978 Y88, '70 455 HO block bored 0.060, TH350, 3.42:1 gears...Oct '08 Fbodywarehouse Calendar - Woot!
1980 Firebird - no engine/tranny... to be pacecar clone

Offline Anderson0741

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Re: '77 or '78 SE
« Reply #7 on: August 29, 2009, 02:58:22 PM »
I'd rather havethe 78 because the shaker is bigger.

Offline pontiacman

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Re: '77 or '78 SE
« Reply #8 on: August 30, 2009, 09:43:40 PM »
78 here too so the 8" snowflakes would be correct
92 firebird
81 turbo formula ws6
81 firebird t top
77 trans am
78 w72 ws6 4 speed

Offline Anderson0741

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Re: '77 or '78 SE
« Reply #9 on: August 31, 2009, 12:29:49 AM »
Yeah 78 also had the WS6 package on some models

Offline burtbook

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Re: '77 or '78 SE
« Reply #10 on: August 31, 2009, 08:43:35 PM »
I looked at the PHS documents on the '78. It doesn't have a w72 engine like the owner thought. I at least want the W72, ideally I would like the WS6 pkg , Fisher tops and 4 speed also, but I'll take what I can get within my budget. I put a WTB in the for sale section

Offline pontiacman

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Re: '77 or '78 SE
« Reply #11 on: August 31, 2009, 09:36:16 PM »
if the car has the ws6 package then the w72 option will not show up on the phs but the cost option for the ws6 will be 324.00 if it is a w72.
92 firebird
81 turbo formula ws6
81 firebird t top
77 trans am
78 w72 ws6 4 speed

Offline burtbook

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Re: '77 or '78 SE
« Reply #12 on: September 01, 2009, 07:43:02 PM »
It's hard to believe how many of the SE's that I have come across don't have the original engines. I guess when the old ones wore out they just got another running motor and dropped it in instead of rebuilding. I have found 2 '77 Se's. One is disassembled and has only one small rust spot in the right quarter panel. It originally had the 403. It comes with an unassembled '72 400 with all of the machine work done and new TRW forged pistons. The Rear has been rebuilt with 3.55 gears and eaton posi and new springs and shocks. It also includes the full body gasket kit and graphite impregnated poly bushing kit. He wants $6k. The other needs floor pans and has a quarter size rust hole in the rear quarter. It is a W72 car but isn't #s matching and doesn't run. It's interior is disassembled and is missing a few parts -console and plastic. He wants $3,200.

Offline jphillips3333

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Re: '77 or '78 SE
« Reply #13 on: September 01, 2009, 08:23:42 PM »
They're out there ... hold out for what you want.  It will come across your path at some point.  Then it's a questions about how long you've been looking relative to what you think it's worth.  It's not a question of IF the car is  out there ... it's a question of WHEN.
John

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Offline burtbook

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Re: '77 or '78 SE
« Reply #14 on: September 06, 2009, 11:46:40 AM »
I've been talking with the guy with one of the cars that I was looking at. Do you guys think that $4k is a fair price for a '77 SE with no engine. It is a very solid car with no rust in the floor pans, just a quarter size bubble in the rear lower quarter. He has the PHS docs - originally had a 403. It also includes the complete Prothane bushing kit and complete weatherstrip kit. I would appreciate any input.