The '77 Can Am. Love it or hate it? Images: eBay Motors

“Remember the Goat!” That’s what Pontiac proclaimed in their ad for the ’77 Can Am (C/A), a one-year only “high performance” model based on the LeMans sport coupe. Named after the Canadian-American racing series, the car was the brainchild of former Pontiac marketing man, Jim Wangers.

The C/A was a nod to those bygone Goats of the late ‘60/early ‘70s, and featured two-tone orange graphics. However the cosmetic treatment didn’t end there; the C/A’s received rear quarter window vents, a ’76-vintage T/A Shaker hood scoop, a ducktail spoiler similar to those found on a handful of ’72 GTO’s, and a body-color painted set of 15-inch Rally II wheels.

While the Can Am's in California and the high-altitude areas were stuck with the 185hp Olds 403, the rest of us were lucky enough to get the W72 T/A 400 with 200hp.

But the C/A wasn’t all show and no go, these hi-po LeMans’ packed a Trans Am punch, courtesy of either the 185hp 403cui Olds plant, or the 200hp W72 Pontiac 400.

Like the Trans Am, the Can Am also depicted which engine it was powered by on its hood scoop, for instance if it was packing the Olds motor, it said “6.6 Liter” whereas the more desirable and powerful Pontiac version displayed a “T/A 6.6” callout.

Backing the two engines were a pair of slushboxes, with the TH400 and 3.08 gears sitting behind the W72 engine, while the TH350 and a 2.41 gear set handled the high-altitude and California-limited 403. Pontiac’s Rally-Tuned Suspension kept the big A-body planted to the ground.

The cockpit featured the swivel bucket seats and the dash and counsel from the Grand Prix. Although a run of 2500 units had been planned and 5000 orders were received, only a total of 1,377 cars were produced as a result of the die for the rear spoiler supposedly cracking.

We found this remaining lightly modified example on eBay, the seller claiming that less than 300 are left in the US and with bidding at just over $12k and not yet meeting the reserve, he’s not looking to just give it away either. If you’re in the market for some ‘70s retro panache, or if you’re interested in adding something from the era when Pontiac still assembled their own motors, then this is the car for you.

While the exterior was flashy, the interior was classy. Which seemed to be the perfect combination for a "date car" in the disco era.