Before I tell you where I am Sheriff, there's just one thing I want to say...

Some one should do Smokey & the Bandit for the Challenge with this $800 '78 T/A.

Hubba hubba.

Just once I'd like to see a car like that on craigslist that A) isn't on a trailer and B) has an air filter in place.

gearheadmb wrote: Just once I'd like to see a car like that on craigslist that A) isn't on a trailer and B) has an air filter in place.

But then it would be a $2500+ car, not an $800 one.

petegossett wrote:

gearheadmb wrote: Just once I'd like to see a car like that on craigslist that A) isn't on a trailer and B) has an air filter in place.

But then it would be a $2500+ car, not an $800 one.

Fair enough.

I think the seller is giving a hint about the condition when he refers to it as "1978 Trans Am PARTS."

It's been a long time since I have seen an $800 2nd Gen TA that is much more than a parts car.

gearheadmb wrote: Just once I'd like to see a car like that on craigslist that A) isn't on a trailer and B) has an air filter in place.

Every car I buy from California has an alarm and no air filter. Weirdos.

SEADave wrote: I think the seller is giving a hint about the condition when he refers to it as "1978 Trans Am PARTS." It's been a long time since I have seen an $800 2nd Gen TA that is much more than a parts car.

Which is what makes it perfect for a Challenge car.

gearheadmb wrote: Just once I'd like to see a car like that on craigslist that A) isn't on a trailer and B) has an air filter in place.

I could never figure this one out, WTF is up with every cheap carbed V8 vehicle on CL missing the air cleaner? Do they take it off for the picture for some reason, or do people just throw them away out of sheer stupidity?

BrokenYugo wrote:

gearheadmb wrote: Just once I'd like to see a car like that on craigslist that A) isn't on a trailer and B) has an air filter in place.

I could never figure this one out, WTF is up with every cheap carbed V8 vehicle on CL missing the air cleaner? Do they take it off for the picture for some reason, or do people just throw them away out of sheer stupidity?

Probably from the last failed attempt to spray starting fluid down the hole to get it started. "berkeley it! Time to throw it on Craigslist".

SEADave wrote: I think the seller is giving a hint about the condition when he refers to it as "1978 Trans Am PARTS." It's been a long time since I have seen an $800 2nd Gen TA that is much more than a parts car.

I seriously lol'd at the "significant rust" comment. They're apparently not familiar with cars from up north.

While not a Minnesota rusty t/a, there is some pretty good rot in some pics.

Lof8 wrote:

BrokenYugo wrote:

gearheadmb wrote: Just once I'd like to see a car like that on craigslist that A) isn't on a trailer and B) has an air filter in place.

I could never figure this one out, WTF is up with every cheap carbed V8 vehicle on CL missing the air cleaner? Do they take it off for the picture for some reason, or do people just throw them away out of sheer stupidity?

Probably from the last failed attempt to spray starting fluid down the hole to get it started. "berkeley it! Time to throw it on Craigslist".

But you see it on stuff that is claimed to run ok just as often. You also only need to remove the lid to spray starting fluid in it, not the whole damn thing.

BrokenYugo wrote:

gearheadmb wrote: Just once I'd like to see a car like that on craigslist that A) isn't on a trailer and B) has an air filter in place.

I could never figure this one out, WTF is up with every cheap carbed V8 vehicle on CL missing the air cleaner? Do they take it off for the picture for some reason, or do people just throw them away out of sheer stupidity?

I'm pretty sure all those air filters go wherever all the battery tie downs from every used car on Craigslist. I think the sheer stupidity has a large part to do with it. I have a hard time imagining someone smart replacing the battery, and then saying, "Hmm, this part has a hook and one bolt to tighten down, and might just keep a fire from starting in a wreck...too much work, easier to find a trash can to toss it in!"

BrokenYugo wrote:

gearheadmb wrote: Just once I'd like to see a car like that on craigslist that A) isn't on a trailer and B) has an air filter in place.

I could never figure this one out, WTF is up with every cheap carbed V8 vehicle on CL missing the air cleaner? Do they take it off for the picture for some reason, or do people just throw them away out of sheer stupidity?

Well, a shaker base for one of these goes for stupid money now, so maybe he sold it off? I got almost $150 for mine when I junked my 403. And that was a few years ago!

BrokenYugo wrote:

gearheadmb wrote: Just once I'd like to see a car like that on craigslist that A) isn't on a trailer and B) has an air filter in place.

I could never figure this one out, WTF is up with every cheap carbed V8 vehicle on CL missing the air cleaner? Do they take it off for the picture for some reason, or do people just throw them away out of sheer stupidity?

A lot of the carbed V8 cars got treated to dress up kits or just an open element chrome air cleaner at some point in their life. Those chrome bits are typically really cheap and rust badly so they get removed for the pic rather than showing a big rusty formerly chrome air cleaner lid.

As Silverfleet mentioned the TA shaker bases fetch a good price.

The shaker scoop shown in the CL listing appears to be an earlier version that fits the 70-76 hoods not the 77^ hoods. If one of you buy this car I'd be interested in the busted scoop for an experiment I've got in mind.

Also, I wish this car was around here in the Northeast. It would already be in my yard getting stripped for parts! I still could use a new hood, nose, P/S fender, and some other stuff for my '79. Everyone around here is selling for crack pipe prices. This would fetch at least $3500 up here, even with the rust.

In reply to SilverFleet:

Same with IL. I really need to get a tow rig again...

In reply to ae86andkp61:

I think I've owned more cars with ratchet straps for tie downs (and were bought that way) than actual tie downs. It's definitely at least 50/50.

BrokenYugo wrote: But you see it on stuff that is claimed to run ok just as often. You also only need to remove the lid to spray starting fluid in it, not the whole damn thing.

Since the fire I always take the whole air filter off before I play with starting fluid. There are few good places to throw a flaming paper air filter.

When the opening statement is "Since the fire..." you know it's a good story.

Shame about the scoop...

And it looks like the housing assembly is at in place. Don't mind the hole in top...

here's a 79, ya Scumbum!!

Yeah, but apparently that one's front-wheel drive....