Generation Specific => Second Generation 1970-1981 => Topic started by: d_hache on July 25, 2022, 07:02:00 AM
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Hello everyone, I was looking at a one owner 76 Trans Am for sale online here in Canada.
If you’re interested you can see the add here
https://www.kijiji.ca/v-view-details.html?adId=1565493092
I noticed there was no center console.
I have never seen a Trans Am with no center console before.
Could this have been a factory delete option?
(https://i.postimg.cc/SnMYLhG9/76-Trans-Am.png) (https://postimg.cc/SnMYLhG9)
(https://i.postimg.cc/k2vqPYJZ/76-Trans-Am-Center-Console.png) (https://postimg.cc/k2vqPYJZ)
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For many years the console was an option on TA's.
A friend owned a 1970 four speed car, had no console. The window sticker on my 1973 listed the console as a $57.00 option, on my 1975 the cost went up to $68.00. The window sticker on my 1978 lists the console as no charge option. Several years ago, I saw a listing for a 1974 TA, it had an automatic on the column. Looked very strange and obviously someone forgot to check the console box.
My guess the console became standard on a TA in 1977 or 1978. I do some more research.
UPDATE:
Here is an update. I found this in Rocky Rotella's "Definitive Firebird & Trans Am book", page 146.
For 1976 it looks like you could get a four speed without a console on all but Formula's. The console was a mandatory option on all 1976 automatic equipped cars, except Formula's that had a front console as standard equipment.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52240105747_647d008bf5_k.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2nAhcqp)IMG_0107 (https://flic.kr/p/2nAhcqp) by Lawrence Alexander (https://www.flickr.com/photos/188552644@N06/), on Flickr
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52241378899_a86ba28075_k.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2nAoHTi)IMG_0108 (https://flic.kr/p/2nAoHTi) by Lawrence Alexander (https://www.flickr.com/photos/188552644@N06/), on Flickr
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My '70 base Firebird originally had a column shifter although the previous owner converted it to a floor shift before I bought it. I would assume with any column shift car it would not have come with a console.
It was always my understanding that the console was an option, at least with a manual transmission. I've never seen an automatic with no console.
On a side note, the under-dash Pioneer stereo in that interior photo brings back memories. I used to have the exact same one in my '70. It fit nicely in the map pocket area in the console.
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It's normal and not really all that uncommon. They did away with column shift years before that, but consoles were still optional on manual firebirds until 1980, I think. The console became standard on Trans Ams before that, though. Maybe 1977? About the time they started selling 100,000 of them a year.
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Once again thanks everyone for the great info.
I know i would find ansers here.
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My '70 base Firebird originally had a column shifter although the previous owner converted it to a floor shift before I bought it. I would assume with any column shift car it would not have come with a console.
It was always my understanding that the console was an option, at least with a manual transmission. I've never seen an automatic with no console.
On a side note, the under-dash Pioneer stereo in that interior photo brings back memories. I used to have the exact same one in my '70. It fit nicely in the map pocket area in the console.
The classic pioneer super tuner. The cats pajamas at the time :D