With only 60,000 miles showing on the odometer, this 1977 Firebird Esprit presents as a true survivor. It is being sold by the second owner in Auburn, New Hampshire and can be seen here on Craigslist. The seller is asking $8,600. Out of the 155,000 Trans Ams, Formulas and Firebirds, 34,548 units were the upscale Firebird Esprit which was positioned just above the base Firebird.
One of the interesting things about this car is that it is equipped with its factory 350 cubic inch V8 engine that is a Chevrolet not Pontiac motor. You can tell it is a Chevrolet motor because the AC compressor is on the driver side and the AC hose sweeps across the top of the engine. I had a 1978 Pontiac Formula with this 155 horsepower factory engine.
The car is painted in silver with a red interior that looks untouched. The Esprit has temperature, oil and voltage gauges as well as a factory 8 track player. As mentioned, the car was optioned with air conditioning and also has power windows and the deluxe interior. The underside of the car presents well and still shows the factory oxide primer on the floor pans.
The ad states that there is a dent in the left front fender but the car still has its original single exhaust and catalytic converter. If you are looking for an unmolested, time capsule that can be driven and enjoyed, this might be a great candidate.
This one was previously listed on here about a month ago, I think
This is your classic “Rockford Files” Esprit, except for the color, as Jim’s was gold.
Pretty clean, I’d pay 8 for that….but then again I’m partial to Ponchos and especially Firebirds and the Silver/Red combo is another fav of mine.
I have a mint 2007 Red 5 speed Solstice currently with 52,000 miles.
Hood seems off and the nose appears lighter. Wondering if any damage to radiator support or other components. Otherwise, nice clean car
I was thinking a similar thought about the color of the left front fender vs. the left door.
Could just be camera angle/lighting
When this car appeared recently, I commented that in the ad it shows that the bottom of the driver’s side fender has been impacted, thus bowing it up and displacing the bumper cover.
FYI, Jim Rockfords Firebird was actually a Formula 400 reduced to an Esprit, it’s in all the write ups, Jimmy couldn’t afford a Formula on his infrequent salary, and the Esprit didn’t have the amenities of a Formula for handling and power, so off went the dual snorkel hood, and she was an Esprit
Appears to be a relatively unmolested and nicely equipped example. Nice Bird.
In 77, upon finding that their shiny new Firebird was hiding a lowly Chevy engine the owners became apoplectic. At first GM didn’t tell the public about this new powertrain sharing among divisions and it did not go over well at all. Many an irate owner would storm into the dealerships proclaiming that they bought a damn Pontiac and expect the Pontiac motor in the car that they spent their hard earned money on.
Same a Oldsmobile . My Dad bought a 77 Delta 2 door and was pissed when he found out it was a 350 Chevy . I got it @ 125K when the cam went bad . I put a 327/350Hp grind cam and a set of headers and drove it another 100K . Nothing wrong with a small block Chevy . JMO .
the build sheet says the engine code is LG3 which is a 305– maybe they couldn’t make enough Pontiac 301’s.
🤣 I reckon that remark on the 301 was a joke…? At least even a 305 SBC will respond well to upgrades
How many different shades of silver can there be on one “unmolested” Firebird.
Answer: See above.
Cant tell by camera pics you rookies need to see it live! 😁
Camera angle or not, it’s misaligned. But still a nice driver car. If I was to buy it, I’d straighten out the minor defects and enjoy it! Yet, no room next to my K code and wifey says we’re a one classic family! Hopefully, someone will buy it, fix the minor details and preserve it. Great car.
These always looked best this way, sans decorations and a deck spoiler. All that stuff spoiled a clean design. Bummer it’s not a Pontiac 350.
Ask your wife if shes a one purse, one shoe, or one dress woman! 😁
When I was 17, I had a ’77 Skybird with the 305 Chevy. In terrible condition. But I sure love that nose – the ’79 was a serious downgrade in looks department.
The 305 Chevy would’ve depressed me, at least a Pontiac motor would’ve been better
Seller just listed on EBay
Includes a better view of the dent on the left front fender