Located in Missoula, Montana, this 1979 Pontiac Firebird Esprit is for sale here on eBay with less than 2 days remaining in the auction. Th Code 15 Platinum paint is still clinging to the car even though it has been off the road since 1999. The auction has six bids and a current price of $2,250.
The red deluxe interior has also seen its better days. The transmission went bad and the owner removed it and never got around to putting a new one in it. The car does not appear to be heavily optioned other than coming with the cloth deluxe interior and automatic transmission from the factory.
The odometer supposedly reads 120,000 miles but it probably reads 20,000 and has been around the block once or twice. The Esprit was one step above the base Firebird and this one was equipped with a 2 barrel 301 cubic inch V8 engine which would have delivered 135 horsepower when new.
Two the wheels match with wire wheels and this car is going to need a lot of work to get it safely back on the road. I had a 1979 Trans Am in high school and love the front end of these cars but my wife hates it. She likes the 1970-1973 front end. Are you brave enough to tackle this restoration? What would you do with this car?
Funny…a friend of mine in high school had a similar silver Firebird that we all ironically called the “Silver Bullet”, both because it had the super-weak V6 base engine, and because it would break down constantly.
As for this particular car, I’m at a loss of what would be worth doing to it. It’s not a desirable year or specification, the body is banged up, the interior is tired, the paint is fried, and it needs a transmission. Even at a low purchase price, a buyer would be putting a ton of money into fixing it up…I can’t see the value.
Speaking for myself, I have a few ideas on what could be done to this particular Firebird.
1. Chevrolet Performance LSA E-Rod Engine
2. Detroit Speed Suspension (Front & Rear)
3. Custom Wheels & Performance Tires
4. Tremec T56 Magnum (American Powertrain)
5. Subframe Connectors (If Needed)
6. Custom Paint (Black)
7. Custom Interior (Including Roll Cage)
8. ididit Steering Column with Grant GT Steering Wheel
The final touch would be the screaming chicken found on the hood of the Trans Am. It would be painted on the hood as opposed to a decal.
That’s a good list, but wouldn’t it make more sense to start with a car that’s in better condition?
Would have made a decent parts car. The steering wheel couldn’t have come with this car. Yuck.
“rust free” look close at quarters and floor. does not appear to be rust free to me.
Seller has some great salesman comments that are sure to raise red flags. “Hard to find complete rust free project car”. “Engine ran when parked in 1999”. No upside to spending any money on a restoration since this mess is nothing more than a parts car. Can’t imagine there is a real bid at $2250! Buyer beware!
I used to live in Missoula and this is a well known seller in the Missoula area. Buys clapped out Pontiac’s, mostly Firebird’s, flips looking for a big profit. Sold him a ’78 POS Firebird with rust holes throughout the floors. Put a carpet kit in it to cover holes, put it on Ebay as a rust free survivor!
This car might have left the factory with a 301 engine but this is an Olds engine, probably a 403.
SOLD for $2,250.
There isn’t $2250 worth of parts on it! I’m guessing the seller is also the buyer!