Carmine Cruiser: 1978 Pontiac Firebird Esprit

Pontiac built four different models of the Firebird that included the base Firebird, Esprit, Formula and Trans Am. This example is listed as a 1978 Pontiac Firebird Esprit located in Pearland, Texas near Houston here on Facebook Marketplace. The seller is asking $19,000 and has not had much luck selling the car as it has been listed for a month with no takers. It’s an honest car that represents the “luxury” side of the Firebird line, positioned as the sophisticated sibling to the performance oriented Formula and Trans Am models. The dry Texas climate has clearly been kind to the sheet metal on this one.

The car is painted in Code 77 Carmine with a matching deluxe interior (Code 74N1). The Esprit was all about comfort, featuring “Custom” trim levels that included deluxe seating and additional sound insulation. The dashboard remains in impressive shape, and the wood grain accents of the bezel provides a stark contrast to the engine-turned aluminum found in the performance-oriented cousins. It’s a cockpit designed for cruising, not carving canyons. Surprisingly, the car has the optional Formula steering wheel which you don’t usually see on the Esprit model.

The body lines look remarkably straight. It retains the classic Esprit brightwork—the chrome window moldings and those specific “Esprit” pillar badges that set it apart from the entry-level models. It appears to be sitting on its original-style Rally II wheels, maintaining that factory silhouette that collectors are starting to crave. The listing does not state what engine is under the hood. It could be a Buick 231 cubic inch V6, Chevrolet 305 cubic inch V8 or Chevrolet 3250 cubic inch V8 engine. In 1978, it is likely the Chevrolet LG3 305 cubic inch V8 that was rated at roughly 145 horsepower. It isn’t a stoplight warrior, but it’s a smooth-running mill that fits the Esprit’s luxury-cruiser persona.

The Esprit was a popular choice in ’78, with Pontiac moving 39,926 units. However, finding one today that hasn’t been modified with a non-original engine or a hood swap is getting difficult. The seller states that this car has been a good driver. A peak into the garage indicates the seller also owns a white 1973 Trans Am. This car is a refreshing change of pace from the usual black-and-gold clones, proving that sometimes, a clean, Carmine Red “luxury” Bird is almost as cool as the “muscle” one.