[Judge273]

Seeing a few TA for sale lately.

These are complete running cars in the 25-40k range.

One would think these would be bought quickly, and that doesn't seem to be the case.

I've seen then on FB and then listed on eBay.

Yet, some 77-78 TA are for sale for more?

Maybe the market is slow for 71-72 with good buy time?

Any thoughts?

[2manyponchos]

The late 2nd gens have been hot at auction the last couple years. A lot of promotion with Burt Reynolds and the 40th of the "Bandit". Seems like the early 2nds kind of skipped that bubble, but the super rare/nice ones are trading hands in private collections at high $, just not being seen as much in the public eye? Good question, should spark some discussion.

[J GLASGO]

Bandit TA,s are eye candy, but performance is pitiful. The 70-73,s are really so much better cars. Hard to believe values are close at all. I still don't think the non bandits are bank breakers. Have had several late model ta,s, never got over 23k for any of them. All low mile original cars. Most under 20k.

[blue71ta]

Originally Posted by J GLASGO

Bandit TA,s are eye candy, but performance is pitiful. The 70-73,s are really so much better cars. Hard to believe values are close at all. I still don't think the non bandits are bank breakers. Have had several late model ta,s, never got over 23k for any of them. All low mile original cars. Most under 20k.

Agreed. Ever since a few '77 - '81 SEs brought big money at Barrett Jackson, everyone that has a plain Jane '77 or '78 T/A thinks they are sitting on a gold mine - even the rough, project cars. I really like the '77 & '78 T/As, but the asking prices are usually way out of line. Hard to find a good car at a fair price these days. Should have kept some of the ones I had in the past, but hindsight is always 20/20.

As for the '71, '72 T/As, I think there are usually so many to choose from at a given time, that it may dilute the prices. I would still take a '70 - '72 T/A over a '77 or '78, given the choice.

[Judge273]

Without high performance and matching numbers are out of the equation. I can't explain the trends in this hobby?

[68bird400HO]

Originally Posted by Judge273

Without high performance and matching numbers are out of the equation. I can't explain the trends in this hobby?

That's because prices are based on the whims of big money at auctions and whether the lemmings choose to follow that money. It's more about human psychology than anything else.

[70TA-RAIII]

There's a nice looking 76 Y82 455/4-spd, no T-tops coming up at the next Mecum auction. It's in the "no reserve" group. I'll be interested to see what that goes for. I would enjoy owning it!

[Judge273]

A nice "before the Burt" car 76 455/4 speed performance beast? Nice on eyes? What's nice about it?

[70TA-RAIII]

What I just said was nice about it. It's nice looking. Simple English, shouldn't be too hard to understand.

John

[Judge273]

So, you're going on purely looks to spend 50k? That's your logic...ok

https://www.mecum.com/lots/FL0117-26...c-trans-am-se/

[71GP76TA]

A guy wanted to trade me a 50th 455 4 speed T-top car and 10k for my SD Formula... I declined.. He thought his car was worth 65k....

[ponchjoe]

Originally Posted by 68bird400HO

That's because prices are based on the whims of big money at auctions and whether the lemmings choose to follow that money. It's more about human psychology than anything else.

Back to topic. This is pretty accurate I think. Your car is worth what you believe and the a potential buyer thinks it worth whatever he wants to pay based on research, attraction etc.

My personal opinion is that the 70-73 cars have been out of reach for many in the hobby that we gloss right over them knowing we can’t afford them. I think the money of the baby boomers is getting less and less and the trend will continue on all of it. There’s a big gap coming for car lovers of the 80s and 90s due to rusty junk and government buy backs.
I’m 53 and I’m not into any of them except a 98-02 Bird and they are just ok. After 82 there are no cars for the Pontiac Purists.
Maybe that makes 70-73 Birds worth more or maybe less

[unruhjonny]

Originally Posted by 71GP76TA

A guy wanted to trade me a 50th 455 4 speed T-top car and 10k for my SD Formula... I declined.. He thought his car was worth 65k....

what a buffoon!

[Judge273]

It seems like the car market is slow regardless of price and car. Robust economy and tax cuts looming will boost the car market?

Yet the parts market is still growing...

[bird72]

A W72, WS6 4 speed 78 is a great car and in a performance league with any 73 non SD TA, and will outhandle any 70-73 TA.

[Judge273]

Well, that explains it. Thanks

[Norwood]

Originally Posted by bird72

A W72, WS6 4 speed 78 is a great car and in a performance league with any 73 non SD TA, and will outhandle any 70-73 TA.

Wow.......Radial Tuned Suspension.

[MikeNoun]

Looking through Mecum Auction results, the 1977-1979 Trans Ams are in the $10K - $20K range, and many times they don't meet reserve. Buyers also don't care much about whether it's a 400 or 403, values are fairly equal between the two.

The 1976-1981 Special Edition cars are roughly double the price of non-SE cars, selling in the $25K - $50K range, with a few exceptions getting more. The 1979 Trans Am 10th Anniversary cars and Macho T/A's are similar in price to the Special Edition models.

1971-1972 Trans Ams are in the $40K - $60K range, and the 1970 models are slightly higher, with premiums paid (sometimes double) for RAIV cars.

Mike

[1969 Ram Air]

I think it's good news that late 2nd generation cars are bringing good money. I bet most of the people who buy those cars are new to the hobby.

[necdb3]

I would never pay 71-72 money for a late 70's T/A, but beauty is in the eye of the beholder. It shows what people are willing to pay for childhood memories.

Think about this. People are willing to pay good money for the looks of a car. Today's cars spank anything from the late 60's and early 70's, performance isn't everything or they would just buy a new car. A late 70's T/A IS a cool looking car so I can see the value matching that of a early 70's car. I don't understand it but that's life.