[Ben M.]

Originally Posted by Ben M.

There was some discussion about it years ago, I'd have to dig it up and see if I can't find the specifics.

Damn, it was a converted car and I got my specifics mixed up. Discussion was on CP about 10-11 years ago as I recall.

Originally Posted by Lightfoot

And since they possibly missed that, I have some doubt that the transmission is a TH400. If Trans Ams weren't worthy of a TH400 that year, why would GM put one in a 350 powered B body?

I'm pretty sure it wasn't a TH400 but almost guaranteed to be a TH350. I had a 400 powered '78 and it had a TH350. I found a few '79s & a '77 in the yard a few years back with 403s and 400s and all were TH350s (even a wagon with a rather long driveshaft).

For real world value, I'd expect to pay between $1500-3000 for a decent driver that may need some minor work in the cosmetic department and $4000-7000 for a really nice low mileage example. Upwards of $10k could be a justified buy if it has great options like gauges and comfy seats and is Pontiac powered (not 301). I just don't see the market supporting higher prices for these cars, especially when so many are still out there in decent shape still (same reason the '73-76 B-bodies sell for so cheap). There's 4 on eBay right now and on any given week there's 1 or 2 in the local craigslist.

I miss my '78, it was a great long distance riding car and got 19MPG at 75MPH with a 400 (and 2.41 gears).

[Diego]

AC3 Bucket Seats, 6-way power
Pontiac BN37 w/ A51
2,395 built

A51 Front Bucket Seat
Pontiac BN37
6,409 built

That's courtesy of the GM Heritage Center.

[Lightfoot]

Originally Posted by Diego

AC3 Bucket Seats, 6-way power
Pontiac BN37 w/ A51
2,395 built

A51 Front Bucket Seat
Pontiac BN37
6,409 built

That's courtesy of the GM Heritage Center.

Initially, 8,804 sounds like a high number, but that's about right considering the volume of B bodies sold.
Do you have the production totals of Bonneville & Catalina coupes?

[Diego]

Isn't BN37 a model designation?

[goatless]

37 indicates two door.

[Lightfoot]

My inquiry was pertaining to how many coupes were produced with bench seat compared to the 8,804 bucket seat opted coupes.

I imagined a combined total production figure of 70,000-100,000 B-bodies, sedan + coupe. Perhaps the B coupes weren't as prolific sellers as I thought by the late seventies, considering the success of the Firebird & Grand Prix.
In which case 8K-10K coupes could be all there were.

A separate question:
Did A51 bucket seat option require floor shift?

[red1975pacer]

Just saw a 78 Catalina on ebay with 13k miles in grey at a place called Thompson motors out of Missouri with a bench seat. Grey with a red interior. Bench seat car. No flash with a bench interior. Black Carrol Street Motor car has the look, and the high price

[Lightfoot]

Originally Posted by red1975pacer

Just saw a 78 Catalina on ebay with 13k miles in grey at a place called Thompson motors out of Missouri with a bench seat. Grey with a red interior. Bench seat car. No flash with a bench interior. Black Carrol Street Motor car has the look, and the high price

That dealer also wants a salty price for the Catalina. $11,999 and you get crank windows, standard wipers, etc. etc.
Although it does have the gauge pod, which is nice. And it's clean as a whistle.
Poncho 400 engine is the only trump it has over the black bucket seat Bonnie.

http://www.thompsonsales.com/Used-19...MO/vd/18529604

[Ben M.]

Originally Posted by Lightfoot

$11,999 and you get crank windows, standard wipers, etc. etc.

Yeah, you also get the base vinyl interior and the uncomfortable bench seat. A 400 and gauges are nice, but if I'm shelling out that much for a car I'd want it to have all the luxury options too. Overpriced in my opinion.