Pontiac produced 4 models of the 2nd generation Firebird that included the base Firebird, Esprit, Formula and Trans Am. Most of our articles are about the Formula or Trans Am but today we are looking at a 1974 Firebird with only 9,422 miles on the odometer. This car is listed here on a website called LowMilesNoMiles.com for $27,500. The Firebird is located in Winnipeg, Canada. Mitchell G. found this super low mile car that looks like it was just deliver to the dealer.
This base Firebird is not heavily optioned and has the base Madrid Morrokide 731 Saddle interior that is just spectacular in its original condition. The engine is backed by an automatic transmission and is also equipped with power steering, power brakes and its factory AM/FM radio. The seller also states that the car is equipped with posi traction rear end. The only gauge in the dash appears to be the speedometer and there is no air conditioning, power windows or tilt. It is simple yet, due to its low miles, beautiful.
Under the hood, is the base L22 250 cubic inch inline 6 cylinder engine produced by Chevrolet. The engine was rated at only 100 horsepower and 175 lb ft of torque. Fuel was provided by a 1 barrel carburetor. The next engine option available was the L30 Pontiac 350 cubic inch V8 That provided 175 horsepower and 290 lb ft of torque. Has anyone every seen a factory Firebird with its original inline 6 cylinder engine 51 years after production?
The exterior is finished in Code 66 Fire Coral Bronze and the body is said to be rust and rot free. The original lacquer paint is cracking which is to be expected after all these years. The seller states that the car drives and looks brand new except for the aging paint. This was the last year for the small back window on the 2nd generation Firebird. It rides on white wall tires and has the base wheels and hubcaps. This is not a sleeper. It is a true 6 cylinder cruiser at best!
Ach du lieber, this is one bare bones Firebird, THAT’S unusual. Shows to go what an influence Hollywood had on the public. Smokey and the Bandit was 3 years away, even pre-Rockford files( 1974) when ordered and not many had the foresight to know what an icon the Firebird would become. Just looking at the Trans Am in the next post, you’d hardly think they were the same car. Heck, even Rockfords car was nicer. Again, this was a total chick/mom/ hip( kind of) grandma, that stunned the family by getting a Firebird. You can imagine the dismay when the kids, with Trans Ams on their minds, actually saw it. Make no mistake, it was no Maverick, and not too basic, they got some options, just not in the performance dept. and for the record, that center gauge is a gas gauge but warning lights for the rest. 109,000 very pampered miles. They sure have Trans Am visions, but back to reality, tis’ no Trans Am, but for today, I bet it’s a very desirable car BECAUSE it’s not a T/A.
You really have to wonder how this Base Firebird came about. Could it have been won on the Price is Right? Did someone just simply want a base model Firebird? Did a dealer order it to have on the lot as a “special” priced vehicle to lure you in? I have to admit, the positraction rear is a bit of a surprise with the 250 six and automatic. I don’t think theres any amount of power braking on earth that could light up just one tire on a non posi car. I really admire this one. And if I bought it, I’d keep it EXACTLY as it sits. I love it.
To clarify, what I meant in the end of what I wrote was, theres no way you’d break one tire loose with a 1974 emissions choked 250 six and an automatic. I’d still want this Firebird though.
Probably asking $19,785 U.S. dollars.
Nope, it says in the ad, “Asking $27,500 USD”. Nice car, but not $27 large nice.
Love it.
LOL I’d love to Rockford squeezing a J turn out of this turd
Years back I bought a six powered ’68 Camaro rag top. The rarity made me contemplate keeping it as it was. You can imagine my joy when I checked the numbers and discovered it was really a V8 car. The very next weekend that ‘banger’ was out of there and a 327 was in its place. :-) Terry J
I want to stick on a rear spoiler, stick on fender flares, front spoiler, get a shaker hood, drop a 350 in the engine bay, but label it a 400, hell nobody will know the difference??
On 2nd thought, I believe I will leave her just she as she is!
And drivesinline, I can get that right rear spinning if turning right on an uphill grade—if the road is wet! The conditions have to be just right ya know??
You have a very valid point Cooter. Maybe on a right hand, up hill, in the rain, but definitely possible in the snow, you just might get it to break loose.
-Dave
Why is it always the bare bones ugly ones that have low mileage?
because they are bare bones ugly. Seriously though I always wonder about the backistories of these ultra low mileage cars.
What are you talking about?
My buddy had a 73 6 cylinder with a 3 speed. That was an awesome car.
I like it because it’s the 6cyl $27k is a bit rich but cash most always talks that many years of just sitting you are going to have to break that engine and transmission in old school to make sure the head gaskets come around without blowing and replace everything in the brake lines and other bits and pieces
the base birds were in stock at dealers around me. A close friend in high school got one in the same color as this one
As for me, I’d consider putting either a hopped up 292, or a GM Atlas 6 in it, just to stick with the odd theme.
When I first saw this. I expected a 3 on the tree or on the floor. Surprised to see a TH-350.
Love the color combo and the poverty hubcaps.
I’ll bet this will get a lot of attention at cars and coffee and other shows. Good to see.
A teenage friend of mine back in the early 80’s had a white 74′ but I think it was an Esprit. Was a nice car. It sure is a time capsule but I’m not quite sure he’ll get what he’s asking.Though you never know in todays world.
Esprits were very nice, I owned a 1976 Esprit, it had power windows and air conditioning, with the Pontiac V8 350 cubic inch engine. Had it for 10 years.
Odd the upper control arms appear to be rusty. Were the optional tach & aux gages available with the 6 cyl on ’70-’81 birds & camaros? They were not avail on 1st gen 6 cyl camaros.
It’s so basic I’m surprised it doesn’t have window posts. This is like a car your grandma would have bought to look a little fancier in than a striped Ventura. Still, in 1974 you could boast that you’re driving a Firebird and the girls would still think you were cool. Interesting era.
What an interesting car. I had 70 and 74 Birds back in the day and both got later added Formula hoods,rear spoilers and one I did Hooker side pipes to go with the L50’s on 10″ Cragars on the back. All looks, no go, but still offers me good memory’s. Both were 2 barrel 350’s.
Today, I did not even know the 250 was ever in this era of Firebird. Its really a very cool car the way its set up.
The price does say or best offer.
Much bigger cars like the ’69 charger & even gigantic plymouth fury! could also be had with a 225 cube slant 6 !
Even the ’69 mustang fastback could be had with a strait 6! & the huge heavy ’72 biscayne could be had with the 250 & a powerglide!!! A handful of late ’60s Novas were ordered with a 153 cube 4 cylinder! & a torquedrive powerglide u had to shift manually all the time.
Odd there are no undercarriage pics of the above firebird. & that front bumper should not be cracked – unless there was a parking lot impact.
Randy Bachman sang a song with Neil about their hometown, Winnipeg Manitoba. Prairie Town. A famous intersection “Portage and Main fifty below”. At that temperature road salt is ineffective and they don’t even bother applying it.
Goes some ways to explain the good shape of this car.