The non-muscle car hits just keep coming! I must admit that I was smitten by this 1972 Pontiac Firebird at first sight. Why? because it is so clean and uncluttered – it’s a great-looking car and worthy of exploration. This Firebird is located in Bowling Green, Kentucky and is available, here on eBay for a current bid of $16,450 with fourteen bids tendered as of this writing.

Admittedly, the ’72 TransAm had not yet become as obtuse as the mid-late ’70s versions with the screaming chicken displayed across the hood and the endless pinstriping detail. But they still possessed spoilers, flares, decals, and a shaker hood scoop. And before the hordes descend upon me, please understand I have respect for the TransAm and the Firebird Formula. Subjectively, I’m in the “less is more” camp these days and this ’72 variation of the Firebird coupe (which is an Esprit model according to the VIN) is having none of that “more is more” mantra.

As spotless as the engine is, there is one thing that is a bit off and I was clued to it by the seller’s statement, “Rochester Quadrajet 4-barrel carburetor was replaced under prior ownership but seems newer“. The issue here is that this ‘Bird has a 350 CI V8 engine (according to the VIN)  and it would have never had a Quadrajet four-barrel carburetor as a two-throater was the only set-up on the 160 net HP, 350 CI motor in ’72. The Quadrajet is a nice upgrade, it’s just not original to this car. Further added is, “ Runs and drives but has been sitting for a long time; plan on checking this car over thoroughly and performing any required maintenance“. Gear changes are courtesy of an automatic transmission.

It is stated, “Very presentable 50-year-old car from California. It has some scratches, scuffs, scrapes, dings, dents, chips and wear & tear typical of a car this age“. I’ll agree, it is very presentable, so presentable that the Monarch Yellow finish looks like a redo and it, in fact, is. It looks well applied and there is no indication of corrosion, just some surface rust on the underside. While this car may have been raised in California, it was born in Norwood, Ohio, so it’s probably a transplant as most California-originated Firebirds (and Camaros) were assembled in Van Nuys. Holding up the corners are Pontiac Rally II wheels, always a welcome find, though the seller mentions that the center caps on one side don’t match those on the other – a minor matter.

The interior of this Firebird is a high point and one of the defining items that set a Firebird apart from a Camaro. Sure, they’re similar, but the Firebird is finished off more nicely with better quality upholstery and nicer door panels, then again those are the items that separate a Pontiac from a Chevy and justify the difference in pricing. Anyway, the brown vinyl upholstery, nylon loop carpet, door upholstery, and dash pad present perfectly. The instrument panel, as simple as it is, is amazingly clean for a car of this age – no dusty or clouded gauge pods. The only noted demerits are due to missing horn buttons and the non-OEM radio being on the fritz. Oh, and the missing window cranks are on their way for installation.

OK, so this Firebird is not completely original, it has had some upgrades with the carburetor, the exhaust system, and the radio but so what? This is the nonmuscle version of a popular muscle car and the fact that it has survived, in this condition, is reason enough to give this one consideration, wouldn’t you agree?