Topic: Newbie needs help between 77 and 78 projects

[Transit]

As many, I always dreamed of a Bandit project.
Found two. A 77 and a 78. Both SE with all the bells and whistles. Full paperwork (window stickers, PHS, build sheets, manual...) . Need paint, interior, replace rear frame, strong 400 engines... seem like basics from what I read hear.

So, do I pick the 78 because of the extra HP and handling, or be more true to a Bandit and get thr 77? (I understand that 76 was the actual car with the new front replacement. Just mean that many choose the 77 for collectibilty)

Thanks for helping a newbie out.

[RENOVATIONS]

Replace rear frame?
They both need rear frame rails?

[Transit]

On the left side near the shakle on the 78 there is some rot. The 77 has some almost in the same area on the other side.

[Transit]

Thanks for all the great advice. Glad to know I've come to the right place with so many knowledgeable  and helpful people. 😂

[Wallington]

You wouldn't choose one year over another based on factory HP. There simply wasn't any. So you build the engine to have some HP. The 78 is basically an updated 77. Not that many changes externally but the interior has a lot of improvements in door trims, seating, seat belts and T-top design. In your case it still sounds like both need everything gone over, the rust is always a worry, moreso when it's not sheetmetal but chassis. If all thing were equal I'd select the 78 with the improvements, updated interior and belts, better T-tops. In good condition some may prefer the 77 for the same reason because they are hard to find in that condition, but unlikely yours would be. Forget what was true to the Bandit, it was a terrible movie and in the end, any black Firebird is seen as one on the streets, regardless of how much money you have spent or how original it is.

[Transit]

Thanks for the sound advice.
Though we have to agree to disagree about the movie. Aside from SATB 3. Horrible. All because they orginally filmed it in Jerry Lewis style. Gleason played all roles, including the Bandit. Testers hated it so poor Jerry Reed was hired to do a rush job as the Bandit. Bad idea all around.

[JupiterBandit]

I’m late to the party.

A 1977 will always be worth more than a 1978.

Fixing a frame rail is not that bad on a rotisserie.

The model they used in the movie was a 1977 Trans Am SE despite what year the parts were made. They assembled a 1977 Trans AM SE not a 1976.

The movie was a fun movie and the world thought it was pretty great rivaling STAR WARS.

But if you chose to take the 1978 I’d be very appreciative if you PM’d me the contact info on the 1977.

Feel free to hit me up if you want any info.

Take care and good luck on your project!

[Wallington]

Given 2 'identical' cars I'd take the 78 so that is purely opinion only as to value. Always and sometimes are very different words.

[72blackbird]

If you want a strong engine, the choice is obvious- 78. The 78 W72 uses the better 481988 'xx' block, the 77 W72 uses the weaker 500557 400 block.

Geno

[Maxthe222]

My two cents is, if you're gunna drive the car heaps (which you should), and they both have heaps of options, i'd imagine that the '78 has the WS6 Handling Package, which is much more enjoyable to drive with. The fisher tops on the '78 are also generally better than Hurst from my experience. I don't know about if a '77 block is worse than a '78 W72, but as far as I know, they both had 220hp, but aparently that's not entirely true. However, 77 is "true" to the movie!

For me it's all about the options, and since you said you had the PHS docs, do you reckon we could take a look?

[Burd Turd]

Get a pre 64 block.   

[Wallington]

And a 1977 W72 had 200hp, not the 220 of 1978. But that's trivial as you you don't select a car based on its pathetic stock output. In the end, get what you want, no one else can decide for you, and live with the regrets when you make the wrong choice and not blame a forum.

And...another that hasn't been online since they posted months ago and never even waited for responses, just waste peoples time being a dreamer.