Topic: Thinking of buying a Y88...

[77ziprun]

See below link for pictures and details. I'm strongly debating this purchase (the significant other is unaware). Basically I'm looking for insight and a second opinion on the car. The guy is asking $1600, which seems fair to me.

http://www.ksl.com/index.php?nid=443&sid=&tab=list/view&ad=1039567

Thoughts?

-Abe

[pointman]

The very first thing I did when I bought mine is to order the PHS (Pontiac Historical Society) to verify it is a Y88 car. It will cost you about $35.00, send them the VIN# and you will know for sure. I noticed the rear window trim was chrome, should be black. The steering wheel is black, should be camel tan, although the steering column is camel tan, which is correct. You can type PHS into a search engine and get the info. you need. Good luck.

[Swift]

my eyesight isnt that great, but does it look like half of the steering column is black? Also does the nose emblem look red?

[RENOVATIONS]

Hard to make out much from the pix. In addition to verifying a Y88 status, you might wanna' find out if the drivetrain is original.

Just the steering wheel hub is black in the pictures, the column is tan .

PHS is a good idea..price used to be $35....now $50.
Here's the link: http://www.phs-online.com/

[oboogie80]

78s didn't come with th400 trannies. What are you thinking of doing with it. Restore to original? Ask the guy to give you the the info from the cowl tag. That's where it'll say Y88.    No pic of the motor. I don't think pontiac 400s were 6.6L, that was for the 403s.  I could be mistaken. Does it run?

[ta78w72]

I'm wondering if it's a formula conversion.  I would get the VIN to make sure it's a T/A.  What makes me wonder is the dash bezel.  It looks like it's wood grain.  Formulas could be ordered with color coded steering columns.  This one may have come with a standard wheel and converted to the formula wheel.  That would explain the color problem with the hub and wheel.  If it were me, I'd pass on the car.  I'd rather find one a little more expensive that didn't have the rust issues.  But, if you can do all the body work yourself...have at it.  I knew a great body guy who was building a collection of sports cars from the 50's.  He told me he always bought the best body he could find because you end up paying one way or the other.  He had a 41 Lincoln Continental Convertible that he restored.  Won a lot of car shows with that car.

[RENOVATIONS]

Ask the guy to give you the the info from the cowl tag. That's where it'll say Y88. 

Sometimes, but not always. PHS or the buildsheet would confirm for sure.

I don't think pontiac 400s were 6.6L, that was for the 403s.  I could be mistaken.

Shame on you ...."6.6 liter" applies to both the 400(L78) and the 403(L80)...."T/A 6.6" applies to the W72 400.

[ta78w72]

Ask Rainman about cowl tags denoting special edition cars.  You can't count on them.  Only two fasteners hold the cowl tag on. 

Looks like the car has a few miles on it....4,294,967,295.  I wonder if those are original miles?

[kentuckyyeti]

Yeah, there are lots of guys out there that represent their cars as something they aren't.  However, in the ad I didn't see it saying that it had a numbers-matching tranny so it can very well have a swapped-over turbo 400.  And there are folks that still call their mid-70's and newer trannies 400's just because they think that is what it is. I would have to see PHS to believe it is a Y88, but I can't say the guy is lying either.  I'll say the car must have seen some rough times, but most T/A's out there have.

[Swift]

ask the guy for the vin, if it is a norwood car then he should be able to show pictures of the "Y88" stamped on the cowl, but if it is a van nuys car then you will need the PHS as everyone has already stated

[77ziprun]

i'm gonna go take a look at it tonight, but i spoke with him on the phone and I wasn't encouraged. He doesn't have the build sheet or any PHS proof, but I'm gonna grab the VIN and take a closer look at the vehicle. I'll let you guys know how it turns out, but thanks for all the ideas and thoughts.

[y88rick]

there is a better one on ebay in ma the guy will sell for 2300 its a way better car than that. i considered buying it today but im thinking i would rather have this hard top t/a instead.

[77ziprun]

No deal. The guy had no proof and I told him to pay for it (right on Hammer). Also, more rust than he admitted to on the ad. Kinda disappointing, but the more I think about it, the more I want a 67-69 firebird. Sometimes these things are blessings in disguise...or so i tell myself.

[77ziprun]

Oh! Thanks again to all you fellas for weighing in. It gave me a much more critical eye when looking at the project.

[y88rick]

its a shame when people attempt to sell you something that its really not. hopefully this 77 turns out to be what that guy says it is tonite forme.