Some of you will look at this 1971 Pontiac Firebird and question why I referenced the Camaro Z28 in the title. That’s pretty simple, because beneath the skin, this Pontiac is pure 2000 Camaro Z28. The seller extended the changes to the interior, leaving the new owner to add the finishing touches. The time has come for this restomod project to find a new home, and I must say a big thank you to Barn Finder Curvette for spotting the Firebird listed here on eBay in Saint Helena Island, South Carolina. The seller set their price at $24,000, and it appears that figure is fairly firm.
At first glance, this Pontiac looks like an extremely nice Starlight Black Second Generation Firebird with hood scoops and different wheels. The seller commenced their build by replacing the roof and rear quarter panels, ensuring the car was rust-free and as straight as an arrow before applying the mirror-like paint. The results justified the effort and expense, as this Firebird presents extremely well. The tinted glass is clear, the trim is excellent, and the panel gaps are tight and consistent. However, the wheels suggest that this Pontiac packs a punch.
Crawling below the Firebird’s surface reveals where the seller spent over $25,000 in parts for their build. They unbolted every original Pontiac mechanical component, walked to the rubbish skip, and dropped it all in. They then performed some clever engineering to slot the drivetrain from a 2000 Chevrolet Camaro Z28 under the skin. It included the fuel-injected LS1 version of Chevrolet’s 5.7-liter V8, a six-speed manual transmission, a locking rear end, power steering, and huge four-wheel power disc brakes with ABS. Throw in frame connectors, custom suspension with coil-overs on all corners, headers, a custom exhaust, a custom fuel tank, and dual air intake, and this project is a complete package. The V8 would have delivered around 310hp in stock form, but there might be a few extra ponies at the driver’s disposal. It appears this Pontiac is ready to hit the road, or is pretty close to being roadworthy if that isn’t the case.
The seller didn’t restrict their custom touches to the Firebird’s drivetrain, pulling the interior from the donor Camaro and fitting it to this classic. That brings air conditioning, leather trim, power windows, power locks, power mirrors, power seats, cruise control, a tilt wheel, map lights, and other modern touches to this fifty-four-year-old classic. Everything fits surprisingly well, but there is scope for the buyer to add the finishing touches. The driver’s door trim installation is rough, and there is no passenger door trim at the moment. The headliner is hanging down, and the dashpad requires adjustment. With those flaws addressed, the interior will present acceptably for a driver-grade classic.
I always appreciate a well-executed custom build. This 1971 Pontiac Firebird has a few rough edges, but the foundations are there for the new owner to add the finishing touches to create a restomod that will draw crowds and receive plenty of positive comments. It should offer impressive performance, and the modern fuel-injected V8 will almost certainly be more civilized than the motor it replaced. Are you tempted to grab this Firebird to finish the build, or would you prefer an unmolested classic?
Given the opportunity and wherewithal, it’s a good bet that more than a few readers here (or anywhere!) would grab this in a heartbeat then finish the few apparent jobs required.
And that piques the curiosity: having spent the effort time and money this far along why abandon it now with so little needed to finish it?
Regardless, it appears that this will make a new owner one happy rodder!
GLWTS
It makes me leery too. If the “little things” aren’t done, there could be a “big thing” hidden that may require major attention. I wouldn’t buy any restomod unless it was finished.
I like this car. In general, I like restomods. The best of both worlds. I understand the allure of originality and there are definitely cars I would not modify but second generation F bodies, with a few exceptions, are not rare.
They are good looking cars though, and with increasingly weaker power trains, a restomod, at least mechanically, makes good sense. However, before I bought one I’d make sure the mods were all finished and done correctly.
Nah not for me!!!!
Not a chance! One man’s 85% done project is another man’s time spent determining what’s been done, what’s been done correctly, and what else needs to be done. The seller lists many modifications but fails to mention anything about the remaining 15%. Does the car even start?
Below the end of the driver’s side dashboard are a dozen or more cut wires dangling. Several unconnected harness connectors are laying in the passenger’s footwell. The dash is pretty rough and the passenger SRS airbag is missing. The steering wheel has been replaced with a Pontiac unit. Any guesses if its airbag is connected? Working on a hacked up wiring harness can be a major task.
What I don’t understand why the this particular body was chosen when it needed a roof and both quarter panels. Was a 6 cylinder Espirit worthy of the effort? This makes me question the subsequent decisions made to cobble multiple cars together. The engineering might be a level above shadetree but it’s all still suspect.
FYI, a ’71 Firebird didn’t come with airbags..but about that hanging harness, that would scare me off right there. This smells like a project someone gave up on.
You are correct about the 1971 Firebird dashboard not having an SRS airbag. This car’s current dash is from the newer Camaro.
Thats why, IF your actually interested, simply contact the seller and have a conversation.
Since most who comment here are not restorers, builders, likely not even buyers.. comments like these clutter and contaminate.
The phone number is even provided, but since your not actually intetested, probably didnt look at the post.
The car is mechanically done, and thats what deserves compliments and credit.
If the builder is reading this :
NICE work !, amazing undertaking, beautiful paint too.
You have obviously mistaken this for Bring A Trailer. This is a DISCUSSION board about a car offered for sale elsewhere on EBay. This type of discussion is what this forum INVITES. Note the last sentence of the article is a question: “Are you tempted to grab this Firebird to finish the build, or would you prefer an unmolested classic?”
Welcome to BarnFinds, and lighten up, Francis.
The seller’s 85% might be 100% more than I might do myself.
Just drive and enjoy as is and fix what still bothers you after a couple months of fun.
Looks cool, but why?? Lot of money here but don’t think the investment was a good idea.
You’d be the only one in the neighborhood & Cars & Coffee who has one. Go to town!
This one leaves me scratching my head with alotta why’s. I owned a 99 Z28 convertible and still regret selling it. The worst thing about the vehicle was the shoddy interior design. Too many details to go into. What was remarkable was the drivetrain and performance. Unless the owner kept the original interior, it will take around $4,500 to get replaced with all new, including dash and console. You could save some money by going with no console and just a boot. The entire blacked out theme doesn’t appeal all that much either. A set of the new silver Year One “17X9” replica honeycombs to give it a bit more “Pontiac-ism” for around $1200. Then comes the correct harness. Do that math and try to negotiate a deal. Always loved the look of the early Formulas with those menacing snorkel scoops!
A good example of how marketability decreases as customization increases. Opinions will vary, but I am OK with drivetrain upgrades properly done, especially when a manual transmission is part of the deal. I am not a big fan of blacking out chrome. Some think it’s a cool look, but I assume it is more often done because it is quicker, easier and cheaper than replacing or restoring chrome. I absolutely do not understand shoehorning a “modern” interior into a classic body. I agree the Year One honeycomb wheels would be a better look. I’d also want to get chrome back where it belongs, and go back to a period correct interior, so there would be a lot of work for me in this one.
i don’t trust the workman ship
Interesting build, but I would expect a project that near to completion would have newer than 25 year-old tech.
At one time I had a line on a gen II Firebird that had a blown up engine. At the same time a 400 sbc was available, AND at the same time there was a one piece fiberglass front end laying around a friend’s garage. I almost pulled the trigger to combine all the parts. GM swapability is so easy. Every once in a while, I think back to that time and wish I had done it. And today was a other time I remember back.
Beautiful car but a pass
Things were going good till dude put that hideous steering wheel in !
I’d rather see a ’69-’81 Camaro with a ’69-’81 Firebird dashboard & steering wheel.