1978 Firebird Interesting Facts
The Trans Am Gold Special Edition
Pontiac announced in Sales Information Bulletin #78-28 that the
production of a Gold Special Edition Trans Am (Y88) would begin in
January 1978 replacing the Black and Gold Special Edition. This
new SE would have Solar Gold paint with the new four color gold hood
bird available only on SE and Non-SE gold Trans Ams, Camel interior
(available in both standard and custom trim levels, and all the
appointments that were standard on the Black and Gold Special Editions
like the gold grille liners, instrument panel trim plate, and
interior/exterior emblems, Gold 7 wheels, and dark gold striping around
all body features, and an enlarged sail panel bird decal. This car
would only be available with the new Fisher T-tops with gold tinted
glass. The Solar Gold color proved problematic in Van Nuys built
Trans Ams due to the switch to a water based paint for environmental
purposes. Color matching, particularly between the bumpers and
fenders was poor.
The Esprit Redbird
Pontiac announced in Sales Information Bulletin #78-28 that the
production of the Redbird Appearance Package (W68) in January 1978
replacing the Skybird that was carried over from 1977. This all
red car featured a special red lower paint with Roman Red upper, red
interior, red custom seat belts, gold striping and emblems, a red
Formula steering wheel, gold engine-tuned instrument panel, and red cast
aluminum snowflake wheels.
New Custom Interior
A new custom interior was introduced for 1978 replacing the horse-collar
style seats and plastic door panel lowers. This new interior was
modern and featured a pillow back design. These seats were
available in Doeskin Vinyl or Lombardy cloth in many colors.
New WS6 Suspension
Even though the WS6 performance package became synonymous with
the top engine choice and a unique Ram Air hood in the 1990's to early
2000's the WS6 gained its fame as a performance suspension package in
1978. A car with the WS6 suspension was easy to spot by its larger
8 inch snowflake wheels, easily identified by having a lighter spoke
design inset into a dish rather than the flush snowflakes on the
standard 7 inch variety. The WS6 steering was more aggressive than
the standard with 2.4 turns to lock rather than 2.5. The package
also included larger 0.75 inch sway bars and 225/70R15 white letter radial tires. The WS6 Trans Am Special Performance Package could be ordered on
Formula or Trans Am.
Fisher Hatch Roof and Hurst Hatches
In 1978 the Fisher Body Division of General Motors introduced their own
version of the T-Top and was offered in addition to the Hurts Hatch
roof. The Fisher version is easily identified since the panels are
larger extending more into the roof center. The rear edge of the
panels align with the side windows adding a couple of extra inches there
as well. Where the Hurst Hatches came with either bright chrome or
black trim the Fisher T-Tops came only with black trim. Because most Black and Gold
Special Editions were build in Norwood OH, closer to the Hurst Facility where Hurst Hatches were installed,
most Black Special Editions built in 1978 came with Hurst Hatches so that Pontiac could fulfill their
contactual obligation. As a result only 298 1978 Black and Gold SEs had Fisher T-Tops installed.
Black Special Edition
The Black Special Edition Trans Am received two designations this year:
Y82 for those built in the Norwood plant and Y84 for those built in the
Van Nuys plant. All Black Special Editions had Hatch Roofs
standard this year.
New Trans Am Decals
The Trans Am decals on the fenders, hood scoop, and rear spoiler were
changed to three color block style letters this year. This
was the first major change in the Trans Am logo since the car was
introduced in 1969.
For this year the only decal applied to the hood scoop was the TA-6.6 decal.
The 6.6 LITRE call out was dropped.
This means that unless you ordered a W72 equipped Trans Am in 1978 your hood
scoop came blank.
The Black and Gold Special Edition retained
its the unique German style decals.
The front bumper decal was
dropped on all 1978 Firebirds, even the Special Editions. Factory repair manuals still show the decal present.
New 8 inch Snowflake Wheels
Snowflake wheels continued to be available in charcoal
or gold and the 7 inch wheel was unchanged. The new 8 inch wheel
when ordered in gold came painted completely in gold, spokes and all.
On the others, the silver wheels and the gold 7 inch wheel, the spokes
remained bare aluminum. These all gold 8 inch wheels are unique to
the 1978 Firebird.
The Pontiac 301 V-8 Dropped
Due to high demand the Pontiac-produced 301 cid V-8 was
discontinued in 1977 on the Firebird and was not available at all in
1978 to allow enough for other models. The 400 cid production was
winding down and the plants would be converted to 301 production at the
end of 1978. The LG3 Chevy built 305 would replace the 301 for all
Firebird applications.
Rally II Wheels Now Standard on Formula
For 1978 the standard wheel on all Formula Firebirds would be the Rally
II.
W72 400
The W72 High Performance 400 V-8 gained an additional 20 hp for
1978
Tail Lamp Bezels
Beginning mid-year all Trans Am tail lamp bezels were painted black
rather than the body color bezels. This black treatment had been
very successful on the Formula Appearance Package since 1976.