Pontiac offered a special Firebird appearance package from 1977 to 1981, named after their colors: Skybird, Redbird, and Yellowbird. The Redbird was produced in 1978-1979 and was all red. The Sky Bird was made in 1977-1978 and was painted in a light baby blue. The Yellow Bird was built in 1980 and 1981 and was painted a pale yellow. Mitchell G. found this Redbird listed here on Craigslist and located near Cleveland, Ohio. The seller is asking $14,000. The Redbird has been listed for just over three weeks and the seller discloses that the car is mostly original with 153,000 miles since new.
As with all 2nd generation Firebirds, Pontiac offered a base interior and deluxe interior. The deluxe interior like this one had upgraded seats and door panels. The deluxe interior was offered in vinyl or cloth. The driver seat on this car has rips and will need repair or replacement. The console cover is also not stock and looks like it has a cover on it to protest your elbow from the splitting vinyl. The seller includes a build sheet in the ad which states that the car is optioned with an automatic transmission, FR78x15 tires, console, gauge package, tilt wheel and a $345 Delco AM/FM radio with tape deck.
The Redbird had several engine options including a standard 231 cubic inch Buick V6 for fuel efficiency and a more powerful 301 cubic inch V8. The 4.9 liter V8, in its third year, came with either a 4 bbl (L37) rated at 150 horsepower or a 2 bbl (L27) rated at 140 horsepower. In California, the Chevrolet LG3 305 cubic inch V8 was available, producing 133 horsepower, compared to the 105 hp of the V6. The engine compartment looks clean and well maintained. There is no mention if the AC works but the equipment is located under the hood and it looks like the AC belt is missing.
The seller mentions that the car has some issues, and there is a rust spot behind the driver rear tire on the quarter panel. The 1979 Pontiac Redbird features 15×7 aluminum wheels matching its red exterior. With only 4,248 units produced, it is rare but that doesn’t mean it is desirable. Overall, it is a nice cruiser and a good example of one of Pontiac’s three Firebird appearance packages.
Those rims in body style paint are awesome.
Don’t know if you’re kidding or not about them being “awesome”, LOL, but my Buccaneer Red ’77 T/A came with body color Rally II wheels. I never saw another one like it or with any other color as they were all usually grey. They were shown on the car’s window sticker as well and I thought about having them painted but they were unique (kind of an acquired taste, they grew on you) and I left them alone. The words “more powerful” referencing a 301 V8 are something of a stretch!
Lots of work needed her. In addition to the upholstery, those fenders look to be badly rusted and perhaps bondoed. Proceed cautiously.
For a car with this many miles and torn seat, I’m surprised the door pulls haven’t ripped out of the door.
Sometimes you can just use too much Armor-All.