Rare W72 Four-Speed 1978 Pontiac Trans Am Hits the Market

A 1978 Pontiac Trans Am equipped with the WS6 performance package is now available through a dealership in Clarence, Iowa, listed at $69,900. The seller has branded this particular example the “Holy Grail of the Trans Ams” — a bold claim in a hobby where such labels get thrown around freely.

What sets this car apart is the W72 engine option paired with a four-speed manual transmission, a combination that collectors actively chase. The W72 designation marked a higher-output version of Pontiac’s 400-cubic-inch V8, and finding one still rowing its own gears is uncommon today.

The WS6 package adds further appeal, bringing upgraded suspension and handling hardware that made these late-second-generation Trans Ams more than just straight-line machines. For Pontiac enthusiasts, the mix of powertrain and chassis spec here represents one of the more desirable configurations to leave the factory.

Pricing at this level puts it firmly in collector territory, and the dealer’s framing suggests they know exactly which audience they are targeting. Whether it truly earns grail status is up to the buyer — but the spec sheet makes a strong case.