Scooped 455: 1976 Pontiac Firebird Esprit

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Pontiac produced for models of the 2nd generation Firebird from 1970 to 1981. Those models included the base Firebird, Esprit, Formula and Trans Am. This 1976 Pontiac Firebird Esprit is one tick above the base model and usually came with nice comfortable driving attributes and options. However, at some point, someone upgraded this Esprit to a 455 cubic inch V8 engine which was only available in the Trans Am in 1976. They also added a Trans Am hood and scoop and applied a 455-HO decal from 1975 to the scoop to let you know that this was not your ordinary Esprit. The car is listed here on Facebook Marketplace and listed for $13,500. The car is located in New Waverly, Texas just north of Houston.

Inside the car is 50/50. While all the main components are there, the seats are ripped and the dash is cracked. What probably makes up for that is the fact that a shifter for a Doug Nash 5 speed transmission is poking though the console. The car has tilt steering, manual windows and an aftermarket steering wheels which looks a lot like the Pontiac 3 spoke Formula steering wheel. The car is said to have an older version of Vintage Air which, if working and they usually are, would be a huge plus.

Not much is said about the engine except that it is a well built and mildly modified 455 cubic inch V8. Even by 1976 standards when Pontiac choked these engines down to only 200 horsepower, just a few slight modifications significantly improved the performance and power output. The ignition system is modified with and MSD box on the fender. The car is said to have some minor rust on the undercarriage and rides on factory Rally II wheels.

The car looks nice on the outside but is said to have some rust issues with the panels. The car comes with new quarter panels and door skins as well as Trans Am fenders that had vents behind the wheels. So it would be easy to make this look like a Trans Am. The seller states that the car has new tires but they look like an off brand. I kinda like the sleeper look that it is right now.

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Comments

  1. Mitchell GildeaMember

    Fix the rust, recover the front seats, build up the 455 a bit, and do lots of burnouts

    Like 17
    • Phillip C Clayton

      Where is the clutch pedal? Is it truly a 5 spd manual? All I see is gas pedal, brake pedal, and e-brake pedal. My mom had a baby blue ’76 Firebird Esprit automatic and 350/350, in the mid-80’s. I loved it.

      Like 1
  2. George Shoffstall

    do not trust any marketplace transactions

    Like 4
  3. Michael Berkemeier

    The tires are Firestone Firehawk Indy 500’s…certainly not an “off-brand”, lol!!!

    Like 0
  4. Phillip C Clayton

    Where is the clutch pedal? Is it truly a 5 spd manual? All I see is gas pedal, brake pedal, and e-brake pedal. My mom had a baby blue ’76 Firebird Esprit automatic and 350/350, in the mid-80’s. I loved it. This one seems way too pricey for the amount of work it needs. And I dont think it is truly a 5 speed

    Like 0
  5. Phillip C Clayton

    Ok everyone, i solved the mystery! altho seller claims it is a 5 spd, seller has it listed as AUTOMATIC. Click marketplace link and it will take you to sellers post . where it says the stats click SEE MORE. you will see it is an auto tranny, on thatblack ’76 Pontiac Firebird Esprit.

    Like 0
    • douglas hunt

      both sites show a taped up drivers seat AND a clutch pedal AND a manual shifter. see that big white ball with the gear pattern on it sticking out of the console?
      you are seeing the clutch pedal, an emergency brake pedal wouldn’t be right beside the brake pedal.

      Like 0
  6. RonaldMember

    Shure looks like a 5 speed shifter with the correct clutch pedal.
    Probably a riot to drive.

    Like 1
    • douglas hunt

      It is a 5speed. you can see the shift pattern on the gear shift knob.
      and yea, I bet it is a blast to drive. in my younger days a co-worker had a 80 Camero with a 350/4speed, he let me drive it a lot, very very fun to drive, I hade a Fiat X1/9 at the time, still like manual trans cars to my buddies chagrin, I have a 05 GTI and an 01 TT Quattro, both 1.8 turbo 5speeds

      Like 0
  7. Philbo427

    I like it! With the shaker hood scoop, it reminds me of those rare SD-455 Formula Firebirds. Pretty sure I saw one at a World of Wheels like in the 70s/80s.

    Like 1

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