1977 Pontiac Can Am

Only available in 1977, the Pontiac Can Am was “Special Edition Option Packaged Mid Sized Muscle” based on the Pontiac LeMans.  It was introduced midway through the production year, at the North American International Auto Show at the Detroit Auto Show in January 1977.  One attractive feature of the Can Am was the Trans Am Shaker Hood Scoop that came as standard equipment.

The car was a meatier version of the Pontiac Le Mans, but came with the  Pontiac 400 V8 (Pictured : T/A 6.6 "W72" version), making 200 hp. Cars that were specifically headed for California or high-altitude county dealers, got the Oldsmobile small block 403 V8, which put out 185 hp.

The Can Am package was specific to Le Mans cars painted Cameo White which were then trimmed in orange, red and yellow graphics, and blacked-out lower panels and window trim.  The standard wheel was a color-matched Rally II with chrome trim rings.  Available options included the same aluminum "snowflake" wheels offered on the Trans Am, and a steel or glass sunroof.  Interior trim color options were the same as the base Le Mans, and included red, black, white and tan.

The number of Can Am’s that were produced has never been accurately determined, but the estimate is 1,377.  According to the Can Am Registry, 42 cars feature the Oldsmobile 403 engine, outwardly identified by "6.6 LITRE" decals on the hood shaker.  The rest of the cars on the Registry have the Pontiac 400 engine, designated "T/A 6.6" on the shaker hood decals.  The Pontiac Historical Service can determine whether a car is a genuine Can Am, and list the options as it was delivered from the factory (if you’re lucky enough to actually possess one).

When the Can Am was first introduced to the dealers, Pontiac planned on producing 2,500 units; but the response from the buying public was much more than expected, and over 5,000 orders were submitted.  Unfortunately, the mold used to produce the fiberglass rear spoiler broke, and production at Motortown, Inc. (where the Le Mans Sport Coupes destined to become Can Ams were sent) ended.  It seems Pontiac upper management were already worried about losing sales of their Grand Prix models, and decided to scrap the project after approximately one half year of production.

When equipped with the Pontiac 400 engine, the Can Am came with the three speed automatic TH400 and 3.08 rear gears.  When fitted  with the Olds 403 engine, the Can Am came with the three speed automatic TH350 and 2.41 rear gears. Unfortunately, there  were NO 4 speed manual transmission Can Am’s ever produced.  (And that’s just a plain ol’ darn shame…)

Performance tests from 1977 estimated 0-60 mph time for the Can Am with the Pontiac engine at about 10 seconds, which was about the same as the previous year's Le Mans with the 455 V8, and a 1/4 mile time of about 17 seconds.

Lately, I have started seeing Pontiac Can Am’s at well organized, larger Car Shows…and the crowds that gather around them are evidence that they are still as loved today as they were back in 1977.