1978 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am "Macho" #69 Coupe

This car was owned and restored by Neil Cofell (now deceased) along with the help of Barnes Total Performance, Dahl Restorations and Jim Mott Restorations. Neil was an avid Pontiac muscle car enthusiast with a true passion for the hobby and knowledge of specific facts of accuracy and correctness pertaining to his cars as well as others. He was well known within these circles as a genuine friend and a strong show competitor. Specifically his interests were rare GTO’s and tuner Trans Am’s. This car is authentic as well as correct with an extraordinary amount of detail and accuracy. Extensive documentation and provinace will be provided at time of purchase. Engines have been professionally dyno tested and tuned.

The car was originally built by Trans Am Specialties of Cherry Hill, New Jersey. Trans Am Specialties actually licensed the “Bandit” name and font style from Universal Studios. This car also comes with its unique certificate of authenticity. Originally built to perform to 0-60 in approx. 6 sec., 0-100 mph in approx.13.5 sec. with a top speed of approx. 150 mph. They replaced the 301 with a vintage Pontiac 455. Producing 400 hp and 450 ft-lb torque, or 500 hp and 610 ft-lb torque when equipped with nitrous.

The #24 Bandit started as a loaded ‘81 Turbo S/E Trans Am and the car was stripped of all the S/E Trans Am badging. The stripes and the birds were replaced with Bandit decals and a buyer chosen number.

The Starlight Black has unimaginable depth not by chance. All PPG products were used in the restoration. After all of the body work was completed, each panel was then sprayed with three coats of NCP 271 filler primer and dry blocked with 180 grit. This was done 2 to 5 times to each panel until the panel was flat. Then it was again sprayed with three coats of NCP 271, final dry blocked with 320 grit, and wet sanded with 600 grit. At that point it was ready for sealer, color and clear. One coat of DAS 3025 sealer was applied, followed by three coats of single stage DCC Concept Acrylic Urethane and wet sanding with 600 grit. The last three coats of clear were sprayed next. Final cutting and buffing with 1,000 and then 1,200/1,500/2,000 grit before buffing with 3M Perfect-it III ruff cut, then 3M Perfect-it III polish using coarse and fine foam pads.

The full frame-off restoration done with all original and NOS date correct parts took approximately a year. Its debut was at the 2008 POCI convention in Spearfish, SD where High Performance Pontiac photographed it along with a Burt Reynolds Year One Bandit Edition and it is featured in the July 2009 issue where most all of this information and documentation is derived from.

It is strongly recommended that you personally inspect or have a qualified inspection service check this or any vehicle before you buy. Vehicle is listed by a private party. The car is sold as is and where is and shown. No warranties are implied or expressed. Shipping and transportation are the responsibility of the buyer. Any taxes; Federal, State, Licensing or registration fees are the sole responsibility of the buyer.