The Forgotten Pontiac Can Am 

Named after the GREATEST Race Series that ever was - The Can Am races.

I live in a tiny town of less than 7000 people, and one of these pulled up next to me at the gas pumps just a couple of months ago. I didn't even know what it was at the time (And I'm from that era. Got my first license in 79). I did a bit of research, and this guys story jibes exactly with what I learned about the production of the car. (In fact, he may have even written the wiki article I started with..)

It's a strange sensation when you see a car you have long since forgotten. Our local police used them. Haven't seen one since then. Nice!! 👍👍👍👍

Pontiac did some aesthetic trickery with the mid '70's LeMans. The lines and grille /rear design made these look so much larger than they are. Almost like a B body when they are standing alone, until they are parked next to a Cutlass, Malibu, Regal, etc.

The real travesty here is that this channel doesn’t have over 1 million subscribers ..!!! But I digress that’s one hell of a cool car 👍🏻

I remember see one every once in a while at a hardware store from when I was a kid to I think the 2000? Always loved it.

You've seen it all Dennis! Thanks for sharing!

I never miss a post from MCCTV. Another great post with excellent content, production and presentation as usual! Cheers.

My high school car was the 76 Grand Prix. This checks all the boxes for me!

Wonderful machine 👍👍👍 I remember seeing a couple of this at the old Englishtown car show in NJ years ago. Thanks Dennis 😀

The is amazing only 1,377 cars. Loved seeing this. I appreciate it very much Dennis! Have a great 2023 ❤

our local police used these in the late 70s, were pretty menacing looking back then!

Definitely worth saving

Always thought those Can Am cars were cool!!

One killer ride

I own a 1978 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am that is fully restored (engine is still original with 350K miles). It was my fathers first car back in 1985. Anyway, it's really cool seeing these old Pontiacs. I remember seeing one of these CanAms at a car show when I was 8 years old back in 2009. I can't say I've seen another in person lol. From I've experienced, the 2nd gen Firebird Formula and Trans Am didn't have the rear-spoiler issue mentioned in this video, even though both this and the 2nd gen Trans Am were so similar. Awesome

That's a great car awesome video Dennis.

I love it. It's different

This is a beautiful car.

Wonderful

There's actually a few of these with bench seats and a xolumn shifter. They're unique cars...my friend had 2 of them he recently sold here in TX.

I remember these!

Beautiful car.

great cars

Guy in high school had one brand new. Molar guy here, but I though these were great at a dismal time in Detroit performance and design. Much more unique than the TA at the time

I am also from Rochester. I bought mine in May of 77. Traded it in at Pitts Pontiac in 1984 and bought it back from the salesman’s son in 1989. I kept it until 1998 when I 4:19 4:19 sold it to my wife’s cousin. The rotisserie rebuild is almost complete. Not sure if I will get it back or not. If I do, I’ll be the 1st, 3rd and 5th owner. It is still numbers matching. Carb to rear axle.

Love it!!!

Very cool car.

Yes! CanAm!!

I’ve only seen TWO of these in the last 30 years

I saw a guy at a car show as a kid with one of these, guy was super nice, ngl this may be the same guy especially since he said he was from Rochester NY.

I Saved One 3 Years Ago Here In Lubbock TX, I Got Sick And Had To Sell It To A Guy In Missouri I Believe.

Just reasently found out my Dad had one of these cars........

What the GTO would have looked in 1977... :(

When they first came out I thought they were ugly as sin. But now I think they're pretty kool.

Very Good!... #58 ✝ {4-19-2023}

When I was growing up must’ve been maybe eight years old there was one of these down by the park in Sayreville nj it was really cool because that air shocks and like 60s on the back and then two blocks away was a mustang KR 500 parked .. it’s amazing that these cars we’re both daily drivers

Cool 🥰

Rare post muscle

Some people haven't forgotten

Wow nice

Looks like my dad’s 73 Grand Am

Pretty aweet

My mom had one special order drove it into the ground. Sat under a carport for many years till a guy saw it and and traded a antique table for it😅 he restored it I see it around every once and a while

👍

A buddy of mines dad has one of these I didn't realize there was only 1300 of them

hmm. interesting. I live in OKC in the late 90s. looked at a can am for sale. I drug my feet and it was sold. never saw another for sale again. wonder if its the same one.

Once they gave up on the spoiler they had leftover white units that were badged as LaMans but they still had the Grand Prix dashes!

Was in Mayville nd in 77 going to school and a local first nations kid had one he got laid alot

Had one. Got it from my brother I was third owner. Sure wish I kept it ☹️

They should have made it an El Camino style option CAN AMINO

I really dislike red interior but mostly because I had so many cars with it. I’m just over it. Beautiful car here though for sure.

These can out when I was in high school. Never liked anything that came out after 74 because of all the stupid emission rules and those hideous bumpers. I love Pontiacs, but not from the mid 70’s and through the 80’s. Love your show, Dennis.

In 1977, if you wanted performance, looks and quality, you bought a vehicle made before 1973.

There are two of these being sold together near me on Marketplace right now one being a parts car for the other. Not asking a lot of money but so rough can't see how it would be worth the effort. Nice looking car BTW.

1300 seems low because I remember seeing many of these when they were new. Although I was pretty young and it may have been the same car I saw at different times cruising around. lol

Guy has 4 of them listed as a set right now, 275k on Facebook marketplace

😍❤💯👍

Similar to the Laguna and 442 of the era.

IF they had just called it a "GTO" it would have sold way over 1277!! I remember clearly people were PISSED OFF the GTO had been cancelled...

the america that i loved. To protect this car against rust : put grease every where : between carpet and metal, inside rear gate, doors, under the car, rear wings, behind bumpers, when you cannot reach these places with a paintbrush, use an extender to pour oil. to be repeted regulary for oil. Grease is the only thing really very efficient againt rust. it is my experience of 35 years.. from france.

I had a 1976 TransAm and one day I was at the dealersip and the Salesman gave me the keys to a CanAm and told me to take it out for a ride. I took it out and it was pretty good but it wasn't a TransAm so I declined to buy it.

I think in 76 they had a bicentennial edition of the can am

What size engine is in that can am??

It was easily forgotten because it was a whimper of a ride compared to all the cheap used muscle cars around at the time.

I have always liked this design unfortunately it suffered the ugly bumper syndrome. This car would really do well with a "Chip Foose" massage.

What is the engine?😮

And all of 200hp. Man the '70's sucked for performance, and quality.

AND,... All this talk ... YADA YADA YADA... about things that every one else talks about... yet not one word mentioned regarding the Manufacturers Retail Price.. for this car in 1977... WHY?.. HOW MUCH WAS THIS CAR BACK IN 1077 NEW?.. can someone please cough up that info?..

I think the stopped making them because no one was paying up & buying them

Don't Share the Majority praising this , thought they were Homely when New , and they haven't aged well at all in my opinion ! GM's Intermediates started their " Fall from Grace " Style Wise in 73 , and it went Downhill FAST , this one no exception

The beginning of GMs ball dropping habit.Bad design horrific huge bumpers ,single exhaust!

This car should have been forgotten.