Kevin sent us a tip on this 44k mile 1978 Pontiac Firebird Esprit. The car is for sale in the Seattle area and is listed here on Craigslist for $6,500. Many people are unaware that Pontiac sold “Color Bird’ editions from 1977 to 1981. Pontiac offered the Red Bird, Sky Bird and Yellow Bird package on the Firebird Esprit. The Red Bird was produced in 1978-1979. The Sky Bird (blue) was made in 1977-1978 and the Yellow Bird was built in 1980-1981. These cars were targeted more toward comfort than performance and came with matching aluminum snowflake wheels.
This car is painted in Roman Red with a matching red interior with gold pinstripes. Red Birds could also be identified by the Red Bird graphic on the B-Pillar. Red Birds came with the gold spoked Formula steering wheel and gold engine turned bezel. The dash pads on these cars usually crack but this one looks good. Even the velour seat covers look very nice.
This Red Bird is equipped with the Chevrolet 350 cubic inch V8 engine (5.7 liter). You can tell that it is a Chevrolet 350 cubic inch engine and not a Pontiac 350 inch engine because the air conditioning compressor is on the driver side of the engine. Pontiac mounted their air conditioning compressors on the passenger side of the engine.
A glaring issue on this example is the large dent in the passenger side front fender. The rest of the paint looks shiny but there are a number of dents a scratches that the car has collected over time. The seller believes his Red Bird will become collectible. While a pretty car, I am not sure about his optimism. What do you think?
The right quarter has damage, also….
Here is a good candidate for what I do with ’em the “em” being older vehicles that could be featured here.
I would add a spoiler, then, turn whitewall tire to the inside. Yes, it’s not a Pontiac V8, but it is a V8, and among that is tough and versatile.
This one has the gauges (minus tachometer), A/C, and I like the color. I have even seen these ‘Color Birds” at the National Pontiac Club meets, so they are recognized.
Turning in the whitewalls would be about $70.00 here, with a balance, also. That is the first step.
Maybe, this winter, find a good used fender, spoiler, and then fix collision damage. Ready to go for 2021.
After more studying of the pictures, make that two front fenders…
Heck, I might go look for a Formula hood.
It’s not a T/A, but that doesn’t mean it couldn’t be fun to drive…
Somebody been bangin’ the Bird…
I’d argue that these “Color Birds” already are collectibles; the Trans Am market is sky-high, so the trickle-down effect will send these special-edition non-T/A Firebirds much higher in the near future.
Had a 79 Formula, bought it new, had to sell when lost storage space! Fun car! Friend had the Redbird, totaled it when he missed a curve!
I had one of these, 1978s but with the 305 CI & rear spoiler. Bought it used while in college & it ran very well & also got decent MPG. It just couldn’t compete with my cousins 1977 TransAm s 400 CI!
I saw this car on one of the MotorTrend channel car shows. I watch too many to remember which one. Anybody?