Hitman's Pontiac Trans Am Forum

Trans Am Information => Restoration => Topic started by: bjohnsontx on January 11, 2017, 03:23:25 PM

Title: 1978 SE German Decals
Post by: bjohnsontx on January 11, 2017, 03:23:25 PM

Why do some SE Trans Ams in 1978 have German style lettering and some have block lettering?  What are the production numbers for each?

Title: Re: 1978 SE German Decals
Post by: Wallington on January 11, 2017, 09:03:58 PM

Incorrect decals used or not SE, but regular black or gold TA's. No production numbers.

Title: Re: 1978 SE German Decals
Post by: bjohnsontx on January 12, 2017, 06:56:58 PM

Thanks for your response but I am not sure what that means.  In 1978, it appears that early SE cars with Hurst Hatch T-Tops had the German/Gothic decal lettering and later year SE cars has the block lettering without T-tops or with GM t-tops.  Did all 1976- early 1978 SE cars have the German/Gothic lettering and then they switched mid year?

Title: Re: 1978 SE German Decals
Post by: Wallington on January 12, 2017, 07:18:19 PM

The gold Y88 SE replaced the black SE during 78, any black TAs during these were regular models with standard decals.

Title: Re: 1978 SE German Decals
Post by: bjohnsontx on January 13, 2017, 02:16:44 PM

I don't think the Y88 was the only SE in 1978.  For 1978, www.78TA.com states:

Y82 - early 1978 the Y82 was the Special Edition with the Hurst t-top roof.
Y88 - 1978 they came out with the Gold Special Edition Trans Am which had the Y88 designation, but just like in 1976, it did not matter if the car had t-tops or not, they were all the same Y88 code.
Y84 - After the Y88 was canceled in 1978, they came back out with the Y84 black and gold Special Edition, but this time it had the Fisher t-top roof and was labeled Y84.

So, I think the Y82 SE cars had the German/Gothic decals and the Y84 SE cars had the block lettering in 1978.

Title: Re: 1978 SE German Decals
Post by: Wallington on January 13, 2017, 04:16:58 PM

I didn't say the Y88 was the only SE in 78. I'm also not the only one on here and don't even own a TA so I've replied enough.
Hardtop Y88? Don't confuse '79 models built in '78.

Title: Re: 1978 SE German Decals
Post by: bjohnsontx on January 16, 2017, 04:01:47 PM

Thanks for your input.  I think the above quote from 78TA.com provides the answer to my question.  I also found these production numbers on 78TA.com which is really interesting:

1978 Model                         Manual    Automatic    Total
Firebird                                    **                  **                  32,671
Esprit                                    **                  **                  36,926
Formula                                    **                  **                  24,346
Trans Am 400 (L78)                    0               57,035                    **
Trans Am 403 (L80)                    0                 8,969                    8,969
Trans Am 400 (W72)      10,889*            61,147*          72,081*
Y82 Trans Am 400 (L78)              0                    **                      **
Y82 Trans Am 400 (W72)    489                 2,856                    3,345

Here are some pics of my projects.
Y84 Trans Am 400 (L78)               0                      68                      **
Y84 Trans Am 403 (L80)               0                    210                       210
Y84 Trans Am 400 (W72)     20                      68                         88
Y88 Trans Am 400 (L78)               0                  6,519              **
Y88 Trans Am 403 (L80)               0                     880               880
Y88 Trans Am 400 (W72)    1,267          6,519            7,768