We see a lot of Trans Ams and a few Formulas but rarely do we get a chance to look at the clean lines of the base Firebird. This 1977 Pontiac Firebird is located in Southhampton, Pennsylvania and is for sale here on eBay. This car has an optimistic starting bid of $10,000 but the seller is very realistic and transparent with disclosing the needs of the Firebird. I would not call this a project because it is a running and driving car and just needs some cosmetic work. One thing that is unique about this car is that it is equipped with Hurst Hatch T-Tops which means it was built early in 1977. Most T-Top orders were installed on higher-priced Trans Am models.
The interior is rough but the dash and console are in good shape. The seller states that the original white interior was converted to black, except for the seats. The door panels, headliner, console lid, and seats need attention but the carpet and all the glass looks good. The original Firebird steering wheel has been upgraded to the “Formula” wheel that was standard on Trans Ams and optional on Formulas. The odometer indicates 73,893 miles.
As you can see above, the Hurst Hatch T-Tops were smaller than the later GM T-Tops. These look in nice shape but the original paint on the car is starting to weather and fade. The seller states that this is a California car so it is equipped with an Oldsmobile 350 cubic inch V8 engine. This was probably the same engine that came in the Oldsmobile Cutlass and was rated around 170 horsepower. The engine is backed by a Turbo 350 automatic transmission.
The gauges all work but the air conditioning system needs to be charged. Another neat feature of this car is the factory 8 track player which still works. The car is well optioned with power windows, power locks, and tilt steering. The car is said to be rust-free and should be a fun driver. The wire wheel hub caps have been removed and the car sits on aftermarket BF Goodrich tires in the front and Road Hugger tires in the rear. Do you like that look?
EBAY link is wrong.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/1977-Pontiac-Firebird-Esprit/194001039345?hash=item2d2b5ceff1:g:FjkAAOSw-q5gYLo-
I’ve probably told this story before, but the Hurst plant was in Warminster PA, and my dad worked at a nearby dealership. When literally every Hurst hatch was recalled they sent their cars directly back to Hurst instead of trying to fix them at the dealership. So my brother and I used to drive the cars back and forth for my dad. Lots of high speed hijinks in firebirds. As the writeup states, mainly Trans Ams and a Formulas, not a lot of base models.
The 82 firebirds had a lot of leakers as well. I was working in parts at a dealer in philly in 1991 and I found an unopened kit for repairing the 82 t tops. If the internet had been around, I would have made big bucks on that.
They certainly didn’t take any chances on removing too much metal. Those look ridiculous.
Were 7 inch wide plain 14 or 15 inch steelies ever avail?
1 extra leaf on driver’s side rear spring – factory mistake?
Would like to see an underhood pic. Did not know they put 350 olds in these too – just thought these could get a pont or chevy 350 motor. Pontiac purists must have been furious.
I wonder how old is that oil filter.
Had a T/A once but frankly I always liked the clean “lighter” look of the base Firebird and the Camaro without all the plastic bolt on stuff. Nice car. :-) Terry J
I am Interested in the car
Which motor 350 or 403 Olds
My shop Tops By Rich (later Tops Unlimited) Erie Pa. Was an authorized hurst hatch instillation center we installed hundreds of them, many in base cars for customers that didn’t wish to purchase a v8 car but wanted the cool option we also repaired many “factory” installed tops for dealers from near and far that couldn’t seem to figure out how to stop the leaks,I met many great people during the programs we did camaros, firebirds, Cadillac Eldorados, Monte Carlos, Regals Cutlass, thunderbirds,Ltd ii and many custom applications so a base car with t tops really wasn’t that unusual in the day