The later second-gen Firebirds have been gaining steady attention in recent years, especially the honest, unmodified survivors that show how these cars really looked and felt when they were still young. This 1977 Pontiac Firebird Esprit, listed here on eBay, fits that description well. According to the seller, it has just 76,000 original miles and has spent its life in Arizona—usually a good sign for buyers hoping to avoid the heavy rust issues that plague cars from harsher climates.
Under the hood sits the original 350 V8 paired with an automatic transmission. The Firebird was never meant to be a full-blown muscle machine in Esprit trim, but rather a well-balanced cruiser with good road manners, and this one seems to keep that spirit intact. It comes equipped with power steering, power disc brakes, and factory air conditioning. The seller doesn’t specify whether the A/C is currently blowing cold, but simply having the option on a ’70s Pontiac is a welcome feature. The factory AM/FM radio still works, and the car retains its original Rally wheels, all of which adds to the unmolested feel.
The interior is described as nice, and the body is said to be straight, with the underside reportedly as clean as the exterior. That kind of originality is increasingly difficult to find, particularly on a 48-year-old car that hasn’t been torn apart or modified over the decades. The seller is clear that the car is in good shape for its age but, like anything built in the 1970s, may need attention here and there. Classic Pontiacs often carry their age with a mix of charm and quirks, and this one appears no different.
With a clean Arizona title and a seller urging buyers to ask questions before committing, this Firebird presents as a straightforward opportunity for someone who wants a classic second-gen Pontiac without diving into a major project. It’s the type of car you can drive, enjoy, and tinker with at your own pace. For anyone fond of the era—or anyone simply wanting an attractive, well-preserved Firebird with room to make it their own—this could be a strong candidate.
Would you keep this Esprit stock and preserved, or would you turn it into the mild street-machine you always wanted back in the ’70s?
Looks a little too rusty for an Arizona car. The ebay ad says it’s located in New Hampshire. It would be interesting to decode the VIN # to see where is was built
I’ve live in California, the undercarriage doesn’t look like what you typically see on a car that spent its life in a dry climate. This looks to be blasted and/or primed. Lots of rusty surfaces elsewhere, I wouldn’t bid on it without seeing it in person first.
Steve R
Seventh digit in the VIN 2T87P7N236269 is N which indicates Norwood assembly plant (Cincinnati). L would indicate Van Nuys, CA.
Make it a blue Rockford clone. Tune up a 400, hook up a 700R4, rear discs, limited slip, and QA-1 suspension. Might splurge on Dakota digital
Interestingly, Jim Rockford’s car was actually a Formula that they made look like an Espirit to fit the character’s image. The buyers of these seemed to be split between females and middle age upper middle class men.
At one time, this was a very popular segment. Now, it is extinct, with the last one probably being the 2012 Mitsubishi Eclipse. Honda seems like it might be trying to bring it back with the new Prelude.
Another guy that buys a ” rust free ” Arizona car and flips it in a Northern state.
looks clean. i bought a car out of Hesperia California 15 yrs ago for parts and looks the same way underneath. this solid a lot better than the bait buckets that have lived in the north for 45yrs. could be a solid buy
Based on the wear on the steering wheel, I’m going with 176K miles.