The last Pontiac Firebird convertible was officially built in 1969 (until years later), but conversions have popped up from time to time. Of 84,063 Firebirds produced in 1975, 27,274 of them came as Trans Am’s. That was two years before the Smokey and the Bandit movie would make the car a celebrity and sales skyrocketed. This one has the 400 cubic inch V8 and was covered by Barn Finds two years ago by our own Jeff Lavery. It must not have sold, so it’s now listed here on craigslist. Enough time has passed that things may have changed with the Pontiac since we last peeked at it. The asking price in Hamden, Connecticut is $10,000. Thanks for the heads-up, Pat L.!
Second-generation Firebirds would enjoy an 11-year production run from 1970-81. The Trans Am would make up a greater percentage of sales from model year to model year. But when the cars were redesigned for the first time, drop-tops were taken off the table. So, vehicles like this one would be left to the customizing market. You have to do your homework on who did these conversions to be sure no short-cuts were taken which might affect structural integrity by removing the roof. Unfortunately, the seller doesn’t indicate who engineered this conversion, but companies like American Convertible Corp. that had ties to the OEM would be a huge plus.
From what we’re told, this ’75 Trans Am has a 400 V8 with a rebuilt automatic transmission, both appearing in the larger quantities of Trans Am’s assembled. The car was fitted with heavy-duty rear springs which we’re told should carry a full complement of occupants with no trouble. The seller says he’s owned the car for 12 years and it’s always been taken care of but the photos provided the last time it was up for sale and this other listing don’t quite speak to tender-loving care. The car could stand a new paint job and the interior probably would benefit from a refresh as well.
For a 1975 Trans Am with its roof still intact. Hagerty says that $48,000 is top dollar while the average is around $17,000. Since there’s no value guide for customs and conversions, this 75,000-mile car is worth what someone else is willing to pay for it. If the car is structurally sound (another listing for it says “it was made right with serious steel sub/frame connectors”), and paint and seat covers are all it needs, it might end up being a nice weekender for Cars & Coffee.
Suggested correction: The last Pontiac Firebird convertible was built in 2002.
I’ve seen many of these, usually sawzall jobs, this is the closest to looking right, but not quite…that might be why 2 gen was never factory, the body style wasn’t çompatable with it and designers gave up….kinda like this, but then again, nah…,
To build a convertible properly, the factory has to engineer cross braces into the body to make up for the rigidity of the missing roof. It’s the main reason this body style was not offered as a convertible. Many “conversions” didn’t brace the body, which caused undue flexing and shake. Unless I could look at this one in person, I wouldn’t bid/buy.
Had a ‘67 Camaro Convertible. (Obviously designed by GM). I called it the “Flexible Flyer”…..Ridiculous cowl shake on bumpy roads. I swear, you could feel the body flexing around corners. LOL. For ‘68, Chevy added a bear under the floor tunnel. Never drive a ‘68, bu maybe that helped!
That’s supposed to be brace, not bear!!
no, you cut the top off a 2G bird and any flexing is completely due….. But yes, this is a great parts car!
November 18, 2019. Still awful.
https://barnfinds.com/cranberry-convertible-1975-pontiac-trans-am/
The early 2000s Firebirds look better every day.
I think it was all downhill after the 1969 Trans Am. I can hear the cries of “OK Boomer” already.
U mean downhill after the 73/74 SD 455 TAs don’t u??
I say SHELZBOT!!
A convertible Trans Am would have been a sharp looking car, too bad Pontiac didn’t go with it. Yes, it looks like a sawzall job, I would run in the other direction.
Shake, rattle, and roll.
Run, Forrest. RUN!
wow, I don’t like to make negative comments but…this would have the structural rigidity of a rubber band. Sought of like those extended body airport limos that we’re popular in the 60’s. The ones that used to sag in the middle.
I was a pontiac dealer mechanic in the seventies, every aftermarket t top and or soft top was a nightmare.
The engineers have design the structural strength from the start of design. Any attempt to suppliment structural strength from outside in would have to very visible. Only hope for this car is to replace shell with hard top shell, or a 10 point roll cage. Bye bye back seat. Only hope for this car if it is to be used.
Check out his Craigslist ad – At least Jesus will be riding shotgun when the frame tears itself to pieces and you wind up around a tree. He can vouch for you at the pearly gates.