Making extraordinary mileage claims about a classic car can be fraught with danger, especially if a seller doesn’t hold verifying evidence. Take this 1973 Pontiac Firebird Esprit as a prime example. The seller claims it has a genuine 19,178 miles on the clock, although they don’t mention supporting documentation. They state its original owner parked it in 1985 and that it recently emerged from storage. It has a few needs, and potential buyers must decide whether to roll the dice on this classic. The winning bidder could return it to active duty, addressing its minor rust issues as time and circumstances allow. The Firebird is listed here on eBay in South Park, Pennsylvania. Bidding currently sits below the reserve at $9,900, with time remaining on the auction.
Over three decades of hibernation haven’t done this Firebird particular harm because we’ve seen daily drivers in a worse state. It wears its original Buccaneer Red paint, complemented by a Black vinyl top. The seller describes the paint as shining, and it is impossible to argue with their assessment. There are flaws and marks, but the condition is acceptable if considered purely as a survivor. The panels are straight, and the vinyl looks okay. I would love to claim the car is rust-free, but problems are emerging from under the vinyl edge trims. How far it has crept under the vinyl is unclear, but it should be addressed before it deteriorates further. The floors and rails look solid, suggesting this classic is structurally sound. The trim and wheels present as impressively as the paint, and the glass seems crystal clear.
The Firebird’s interior is an undoubted highlight, presenting well for a car of this vintage. The seller fitted new carpet, and the installation in the back section is a bit ordinary. However, improving that would be a straightforward and rewarding task for the new owner. The Oxblood Red vinyl upholstered surfaces are free from wear, and there are no signs of damage to the dash, pad, or console. The faux woodgrain on the gauge bezel is excellent, and there is no wheel wear. The new owner won’t drown in factory options because the original owner passed on comfort and convenience items like air conditioning and power windows. The car features a factory tach and an AM radio, and there are no aftermarket additions.
Lifting this Firebird’s hood reveals a 350ci V8, with the original owner adding a three-speed automatic transmission and power assistance for the steering and brakes. The 350 would have produced 150hp in its prime, allowing the Esprit to cover the ¼-mile in 17.5 seconds. This Pontiac might only have 19,000 miles on the lock, but it is not all good news for potential buyers. The car sat in storage since 1985, never firing a shot in anger. The seller tried to turn the motor with a breaker bar, but it is locked solid. If the new owner allows a product like Mystery Oil or diesel to work its magic inside the cylinders, they might strike gold. However, budgeting for a rebuild or engine replacement would be wise.
What do you make of this 1973 Firebird Esprit? If its history can be confirmed, that makes the odometer reading plausible. The interior condition helps its cause, but none of this would be considered indisputable proof in a court of law. If its rust issues are limited to those shown in the photos, addressing them without performing a repaint could allow the car to retain its survivor credentials. Would you do that, or would a total restoration be your chosen path?
Seeing as how it appears to have rust holes below the vinyl top, I’d be inclined to think it has more rust elsewhere…but what do I know..
I actually like the vinyl top on this car.
Mileage may be low. It’s not sagging in the rear!
mileage is low but i guess theres no escaping time. id like to get the flexible hairy inlet 13 vein cold air duct. ive seen them sell for $1500.00 (not a typo). the 1973 doors are unique because the grab handle and door impression is longer than any other firebird/trans am. also heavy crash reinforcement inside 73 doors. 1 year only rear bumper mounting brackets extend the bumper outward because of federal crash guidelines. 73 rad support 1 year only. front lower fenders have valance mounting brackets unique for 73. 73 rear subframe are unique to 73. custom horse collar interior 73 only . dont believe me try to match an oxblood interior. if you were to piece this car out it could fetch $25,000.00 in parts unique to 73
1973 nose grille and valance 1 year only . look at pics new carpet rocker sill plates are copies . steering wheel is not right . last ebay picture starter has no install bolts . this is a perfect car to repair a 1973 TA…
Something odd with this car. Floors do look good, but have a careful look at the sills, door jambs, edges of the vinyl roof, trunk hinge mount area – there seems like a LOT of rust everywhere else.
Don’t know what to make of the car. Why would it need the rear carpets replaced on such a low mileage car? Same for the sill plates. Why would those be the areas you would start with when there are other much larger issues to deal with? Seems odd.
best
bt
That drivers seat has more than 19 thousand miles of butt on it. It looks almost flat. Not sure how you would fix the RUST without having to paint the car. The vinyl top would have to come off and everything from the back glass repaired. The pictures with the trunk open look like rust all the way around the hinges. It’s a Pa. car. Buyer look it over good. Carpet changed ?????
I agree about the seat. Either the car has 119k miles…or the driver weighed about 380.
Careful on this one…. LOTS of work here. 19k hmmmmm
Looks more like 119k not 19k miles to me
Did everyone read where the owner has done really nothing to car and also the ENGINE IS STUCK?
This is not a car to bid up high.
I see many issues from bubbles to rust .
I like color scheme.
With the rust problems & frozen engine, $2500.00 big bucks for this GM Pony, plus the transportation costs realizing most trucking companies will not pick up the car unless it is in running condition. Pass on this Nird…
Strange offering this one. The seats, door panels, dash, carpet, nice bright exterior paint would all support the 19,000 mile claim of a car that was stored inside protected from the weather, and UV sun damage. But when you have not just rust around body seams, but gaping rust holes combined with a locked-up engine, indicative of a car that has sat outside for many years unprotected from the elements, that makes me go, Hummm. The only thing I can come up with to explain this is that this car suffered rising flood waters (possibly salt water) then was recovered, cleaned and repaired but soon the effects of water and salt started taking their toll on the electronics and mechanical components causing the previous owner to through in the towel and park the car inside a garage and close the door for the next 30 years. Any other explanations out there?
Not a 19 thousand miles car? It’s better than most vehicles of this model year, but it has serious issues. Ask the new owner when he starts restoring it. That’s when the truth comes out.
Just my opinion!
Resto mod for sure. Roadster Shop frame and LS3 to start
The vinyl top fad is long over, and this particular body style wears it poorly, disrupting the fluid lines of the Firebird.
Located where they had catastrophic flooding in 1985… hmmm….
Having owned a few f-bodies,the rust you see in the photos is probably not all that is present.that odometer might be 119k they only had 5-digits and might have flipped once.rebuilding the engine would be the best choice
Car was driven sparingly but the road salt and a cold cement floor in an unheated garage csn cause this , as a canadian , i have seen it multiple times
Just bought it 16,500 looked up vin 19,000 checks out no exempt title talked to owner for about an hour seems pretty straight up wish me luck
Good luck!