Here's The Real Story Behind Pontiac's Black-And-Gold Trans Am

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This instantly recognizable package is far more than just a famous movie car.

The 1977 film Smokey and the Bandit may have immortalized the black-and-gold Pontiac Trans Am, but this special edition model was actually created by GM design boss Bill Mitchell to celebrate Pontiac's 50-year anniversary in 1976. These cars were designated with the Y82 RPO code, and they featured the iconic black paint job with gold accents including gold pin striping, gold grille, gold wheels and, of course, the gold Screaming Chicken decal on the hood. The Y82 Trans Ams were built in low volume from 1976 through 1978, but this "Bandit" paint job carried on (under various other RPO codes) through the second-gen Firebird's final year in 1981.

In 1977, the Y82 code represented only the examples with t-tops, while the hardtops showed Y81 on the build sheet. Compared to the more than 15,000 Y82/Y81 Trans Ams built in '77, the 1978 model year saw this number drop down to just 3,643, and t-tops were also added as standard equipment with this package. With the Firebird's 1979 redesign, the RPO code was changed to Y84 for the final three years of production.

Black and gold Trans Ams are everywhere these days, but if you want a true Limited Edition/Special Edition car, be sure to check the build sheet and/or the trim tag under the hood for the Y81, Y82 or Y84 codes. All of these Trans Ams being sold by Restore A Muscle Car are legit.

1976 Pontiac Trans Am Limited Edition

Only 2,590 examples of the 1976 Pontiac Trans Am Y82 50th Anniversary Limited Edition were ever built, and these cars were available with either the 400 cubic-inch engine or 455 H.O. engine (the last year for this engine) as well as the option of Hurst t-tops. Not only is this numbers-matching Trans Am one of just 110 Y82 cars built with the bigger engine and the available t-tops, it has also been fully restored and looks brand new.

1977 Pontiac Trans Am Special Edition