Are you the kind of person that likes to stand out in a crowd? Well, not only is owning a 1978 Pontiac Sunbird Safari Wagon unique, this car has been modified to house a 300+ hp Chevrolet V8 engine under the hood. Located in Byron Georgia, the car looks solid and almost stock except for the aftermarket wheels. There are 2 days remaining in the auction for this Sunbird Safari Wagon with the starting bid set at $12,500. While there are currently no bids yet, the car is listed here on eBay so you can be the first one.
As you can see, the 327 cubic inch V8 engine fits snuggly under the hood and almost looks factory. Since the Sunbird Safari Wagon is based on the Pontiac Astre (Vega), the hood opens toward the front of the car and gives you plenty of room to access the motor and accessories. The seller states that the 327 cubic inch V8 engine is a 365 horsepower Corvette motor that has $4,500 invested in it. The engine is backed by a rebuilt Turbo 350 automatic transmission. The Sunbird Safari Wagon even has working air conditioning with a new compressor and A/C lines.
As you can imagine, that much power in a light car can be a lot of fun. This picture shows the Sunbird Safari Wagon lighting up the rear tires in smoke. The white paint looks to be in fair condition and the odometer reads only 62,000 miles. The ad states that the exterior paint is original. The interior of the car looks to be in very nice shape and has red vinyl bucket seats. Aftermarket gauges are installed under the dash. The Sunbird Safari Wagon has power steering, power brakes, and a positraction 3.42 rear gear ratio in the rear end.
The underside shows a nice set of dual exhausts and turbo mufflers. The appears to be no rust or rot anywhere on this car. There are less than 500 miles on the engine and transmission so hopefully, all the bugs are worked out. This Georgia based Sunbird Safari Wagon is truly a one of a kind build that would be fun until you break something!
The wheels appear to be black painted Pontiac “Snowflakes”. This looks like a well done swap, although I’d prefer to see a dust cover installed over the torque converter. Will make someone very happy! GLWTA!! :-)
Looks like an Astre to me.
77 was the end of the Vega/Astra
The simple solution is to Google it! ;-)
Just another lazy attempt from GM to pass off old products as new.
I had a 73 vega with a small block chevy ,,, and that was by far the most fun to drive car I have ever owned.
How can you tell it has working air conditioning? The description just says that it has a new A/C compressor and lines, not that they’re hooked up to anything else or that the A/C functions.
The description also doesn’t say if the new dual exhaust and the new posi are installed and working either.
If an ad said ” new power steering pump and lines”, would you wonder if the power steering worked?
Normally, by turning on the air conditioning and seeing if it blows cold.
It says working a/c
Must be a one year only name thing. It is clearly an Astre and not a Sunbird.
The Astre was cancelled with the Vega at the end of the 1977 model year, although the wagon continued for 1978 and 1979, rebadged as part of the Pontiac Sunbird line.
http://www.oldcarbrochures.com/static/NA/Pontiac/1978%20Pontiac/1978%20Pontiac%20Full%20Line%20Brochure/b_1978%20Pontiac%20Full%20Line-38-39.jpg
Sure looks like a nice build–used up all of the real estate under the hood, even has power brakes. Cool sleeper, and you dont see any of these up here in the rust belt. Talk him down to 10 large and go for it! Good luck and stay safe.
Cheers
GPC
Cool sleeper,will surprise anyone near this price point.The Lingenfelter Vette will surprise a different, and far more snooty bunch,all good !
The Vega-Astre was discontinued in 1977, except for the wagon, which was built for another 2 years and re-named the Sunbird. The subject car is still a Vega/Aster underneath.
This wagon would look much better with front end and both bumpers from a ’73 Astre.
There was no ’73 Astre.
Of course there was. But let’s use front end and bumpers from a 74 then.
There was an Astre in Canada in 1973 , but in the U.S. the Astre didn’t come out until 1975 .
Love it!
I had a 1978 Pontiac Sunbird Formula with a factory 305 V-8. That was fast.
365 HP in a Sunbird! Nice build but whoever buys it better be the $6,012,500.00 Man! $12,500.00 to match the opening bid, $6,000,000.00 for the doctors to put the test pilot of this rocket back together after the break up during re-entry.
In ‘79 I had a Pinto Wagon I paneled the back windows on and it had a Corvette 327 in it… A Baddass lil’ Wagon!!
$12,500 starting bid? Someone is dreaming, or hoping somebody gets the auction bug.
I like it. Think it would fun to drive and like it because it’s different.
Take into account a new set of rear meats every week..very nice build
It is a 1978 Pontiac Sunbird Safari Formula Wagon for sure.
The RH exhaust pipe looks crushed,
and believe I see 4 lug hubs/axles!?
Abit more ‘frame’ strength needed.
However; I do like it… Fun ride.
Too bad it isn’t stock….would be much more appealing. A rare vehicle that’s been ruined.