Skybird Special Edition: 1977 Pontiac Firebird

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In 1977, the same year that the macho-image Trans Am appeared in the first Smokey and the Bandit movie, Pontiac cooked up another edition that would appeal to the opposite spectrum. The Skybird was an appearance package that came on a Firebird Esprit and targeted female buyers, so they say. It was painted Lombard Blue, like the sky above, which would help explain the moniker of the car. This ’77 version looks to be well-used and is going to need at least a bunch of cosmetic work. Located in San Diego, California, this rarity is available here on craigslist for $12,000. Thank you, Pat L., for a most interesting tip!

Patterned after a show car called the Bluebird, the Skybird was the first of several specially trimmed Firebirds of a luxury nature (the others would be called the Redbird and the Yellowbird; guess what colors they were painted). Production numbers are a bit sketchy, and assemblies also spilled over into 1978, but the seller believes the number to be around 4,000. So, given typical survival rates after more than 40 years, there can’t be that many left, regardless of condition.

Pontiac’s marketing team worked overtime to position the Skybird as the “Women’s Muscle Car” to attract female buyers to the fold. Based on the Esprit model, the additional cost of the Skybird was only about $400 depending on the choice of upholstery material. Besides the light blue paint job, the rest of the exterior trim was adjusted to match, along with Skybird graphics. The same attention was applied to the blue interior, right down to the custom seat belts.

Though the seller’s car is in California, it looks to have spent time in a climate that is more conducive to rust. Though the seller refers to some surface rust that is “totally expected” there could be holes in the top of the right front fender and an even bigger opening below the rear window on the passenger side (maybe the other side, too). So be prepared to allocate an appreciable part of the restoration budget to fixing sheet metal.

At more than 89,000 miles on the odometer, this car has been well-used. The interior has the look of wear in the front seats, door panels, and carpeting. Because special materials were used to make the Skybird what it was, we must wonder about the availability of replacement trim today. On the other hand, the seller says this is a good running car that’s all complete, with its 350 cubic inch V8, 4-barrel carburetor, and Turbo-Hydramatic transmission. Once restored, wouldn’t this make an interesting addition parked next to a Burt Reynolds black Trans Am from the same era!

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Comments

  1. Terrry

    If much more brown appears through that blue paint, you’d have to rename this car a “Sh*tbird”

    Like 27
    • jnard90 jnard90Member

      Spot on Terry!

      Like 6
  2. CCFisher

    The paint was actually a subtle two-tone, with a slightly darker blue under the lower body tape stripe.

    Like 7
  3. Mark

    There’s one here locally and unbelivable as it sounds, won its class in the local Concours d’Elegance. Go figure.

    Like 6
  4. Mike

    Interesting video on the Skybirds once you get past the Britney Spears part.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tnkZAqz0HkE

    Like 4
  5. Jim

    “Good condition some surface rust totally expected”. HAHAHAHAHAHA!

    Surface rust that you can stick your finger through!!!!

    Like 12
  6. Freddy

    Even in great shape these don’t really sell for much of a premium because they were marketed towards non performance buyers.

    Like 1
  7. MJF

    I wonder what they were thinking when they came up with that color Scheme ???
    The rust I am sure is really bad…

    Like 1
  8. TinCanSailor

    When I was a gas pump jockey in the late 70s, there was a rather attractive woman that drove a Bluebird. I spent an inordinate amount of time cleaning her windshield.

    Every time she pulled up to the pump, my fellow employee and I would race to the car.

    Like 6
    • JIm

      I’m guessing that you would have all raced to the car even if she was driving a Chevette? :)

      Like 9
  9. Sherri

    I have one with minimal rust. Only on rear quarter panel as it is stored inside 24/7
    I had a rod shop come and look at it to paint it. They were under it and feeling the frame. They were shocked that there was no other rust. The trunk is clean and interior restored as well. The paint looks great until you get 6 inches from it. Typical age for a 1977.
    I have had it since I was 16. My dad bought it out of the show room and then when I turned 16 I took it over.
    I have all the restoration receipts.
    It is gorgeous.
    It does need a new carburetor, air, heater core.
    Probably new seals.
    That’s it.

    Like 0

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