Listed for sale here on eBay is this 1977 Pontiac Firebird. Located in Cypress, Texas, and being sold with a clear title this car has experienced some spirited bidding. With 3 days remaining there have been 29 bids placed with the price standing at $5,007, and the reserve has been met.
The seller claims that this is a genuine one owner car. They state that they have the original title to verify this. The car itself appears to be quite straight and clean. The owner states that there is absolutely no rust in the car. They emphasize this point by stating this in all capital letters. Nothing like getting your point across. The owner does state that there is some discoloration on the paint, but that this is the result of bird droppings.
The interior appears to be quite clean. The dash appears to be intact with no obvious cracking. In fact all of the plastic surfaces and the carpet appear to be clean and free of any significant discoloration. The seats, both the front and the back also appear to be in good condition. This Firebird has been optioned with cruise control, power locks and power seats. The seller states that everything works perfectly.
Under the hood is the standard 305ci engine backed by an auto transmission. The car has been optioned with air con but the owner doesn’t specifically state that this is operational. The owner does state that there is an issue with the front left brake, but is a little bit vague on what it is. They do say that they have the replacement part, but haven’t managed to fit it at this stage.
When I’m looking at cars for myself, one of the things that I find encouraging is when there is a reasonable amount of documentation with the vehicle. This is an item that can so easily disappear over time. This Firebird does come with a really significant amount of documentation including all owner’s manuals and the original title verifying that this is a one owner vehicle. When an owner manages to retain the documentation for this period of time that usually indicates that they care about the vehicle, especially if it was purchased new.
When it comes to price this Firebird raised an interesting point for me. Rather than rely on the usual sources I went looking at what these were asking in the market. I found a multitude of Trans Ams, Espirit and Formulas on the market, but a limited number of base Firebirds. Prices for those that I found ranged from $5,995 to $14,000 according to condition. Depending on how much higher the price goes at auction, this one might turn out to be a good buy for someone.
Already gone.
Must have had it for sale locally and got an offer they couldn’t refuse. However, when I tried to go to the ebay listing for this car, it took me to another Firebird. It’s also a ’77, very clean red & white, no rust, from Idaho. Now here’s the nice part: 400 4 speed. A little over 2 days left with an opening bid of $7000, no reserve and no bids, yet.
All it needs is some skinny white walls it will be the perfect Rockford Files tribute car!
Had the exact same thought.
Rockford files car was originally a ’74 (square rear window)bottom-of-the-line Esprit even though a lot of fan sites say it was a ’76. He went through a couple of cars a season, I think and eventually used ’77 Formula cars like this with plain hoods until the show ended. He was a race car driver, so there are a lot of other Garner tribute cars I’d rather have.
Fan sites are sooo dumb. The series started in ’74, but the first car was a ’76? No.
Pontiac was on board by the end of Rockford, providing ‘dollar cars’ fresh from the Van Nuys F-body production plant. Jim wasn’t supposed to have a ‘new’ car, so the series hero cars were made special order in the last week of each years’ production- Formula chassis tuning, 400 motor, ’74 color paint, tan interior.
James Garner didn’t like the looks of the ’79 front styling so the ’78s continued use for the final season of the series. Using the same color made it easier for the dopey Universal Studios editors to use stock clips of the car when needed. ‘Continuity’ was always an issue back then.
Vista Group, the Pontiac/GMC reps for the LA area, prepped a tricked-out GMC Cabalerro shown in an article in HOT ROD that was claimed to be the eventual replacement for the Firebird. Garner was involved in a traffic accident that indirectly caused him to quit the series.
Talked to him a few times, Garner was a great guy, very funny in person.
“This is Jim Rockford. At the tone leave your name and message I’ll get back to you.” No, never seen the show!
I’ve seen his 4×4 AMC S/C Rambler desert race car in a personal collection here in town (among at least 100 other classic or historical vehicles). It was quite the experience. http://www.fourwheeler.com/features/1207or-garners-ground-pounder-1969-amc-sc-rambler/
$200 a day.
Plus expenses.
This is exactly how I like them. No frills or extra body panels to mess up the beautiful lines.
With a name Rock Ford. He should have drove a Ford on the show. Would have made more sence.
I think that this seller is feeding us a line. How can it be all original as the seller claims except for the tires, battery, spark plugs, and freon? Did it leave the factory with those Cal Custom window cranks? And it sure looks like an aftermarket radio to me. One owner? Really? Then why does the title have the information for a previous owner filled in? The license number on the title does not match the plates on the car. Why would the mileage be exempt? If it was the original title from 1977 it should show a few miles. Why is the title dated 11/18/96? Sorry, I do not buy the original owner story.