The Firebird Esprit was offered as a luxury model that came with appearance options, the deluxe interior package, and a Pontiac 350 as standard equipment. The first year of the second generation Firebird began offering a wider array of model subtypes and marked the appearance of the Firebird Esprit, and the Firebird Formula. Fire Am (Firebird American) offered by Herb Adams/VSE (~200 units, 1976-1981).Macho Trans Am (offered by the Mecham Pontiac dealership in Glendale, AZ) (~400 units, 1977-1980).Turbo Trans Am "Daytona 500" pace car limited edition (2,000 units, RPO Y85, 1981).Turbo Trans Am Indianapolis pace car limited edition (5,700 units, RPO Y85, 1980).10th Anniversary Trans Am (TATA) limited edition (7,500 units, RPO Y89, 1979).Special Edition appearance package, gold with brown pinstriping (8,666 units, RPO Y88, 1978).Yellow Bird Esprit appearance package (RPO W73, 1980).Red Bird Esprit appearance package (RPO W68, 1978–1979).Sky Bird Esprit appearance package (RPO W60, 1977–1978).Special Edition appearance package, black with gold pinstriping (RPO Y82 1977–1978, RPO Y84 1978–1981).50th Anniversary limited edition (2,590 units, RPO Y82, 1976).Formula appearance package (RPO W50, 1976–1981).Special/Limited Editions and appearance packages This style became the look that was to epitomize the F-body styling for the longest period during the Firebird's lifetime. Originally, the "wraparound" style window that occupied more of the b-pillar was initially supposed to be the deisgn, but problems with the glue and sealing the rear window led to the flat style window being used until the re-designed body in 1975. The new design was initially characterized by a large B-pillar, until 1975 when the rear window was enlarged. The top of the rear window line went almost straight down to the lip of the trunk lid. Replacing the "Coke bottle" styling was a more "swoopy" body style, while still retaining some traditional elements. This generation of Firebirds were available in coupe form only after the 1969 model year, convertibles were not available until 1989. The second-generation debut for the 1970 model year was delayed until February 26, 1970, because of tooling and engineering problems thus, its popular designation as a 1970½ model, while leftover 1969s were listed in early Pontiac literature without a model-year identification. The second generation Pontiac Firebird was introduced in early 1970 by Pontiac for the 1970 model year. To view this listing on, see Pick of the Day.Van Nuys, California, United States (1970–1971, 1978–1981) The asking price is $59,500 for this Firebird. “Way too much to list must see to appreciate,” the listing concludes. (Which is a good thing when the police car shows up in your rearview mirror and you’re going way faster than 55 miles per hour). This Firebird received upgraded brake lines and four-wheel disc brakes to help slow things down. Sometimes automotive customizers overlook the fact that extra speed capability also requires enhanced braking. Luckily, the four-speed 700R4 automatic transmission is built to handle the power according to the seller. All those go-fast goodies make for a dyno-tested 500-horsepower output. The real appeal of this Trans Am comes from under the hood, where the powertrain has been upgraded with a 400cid V8 with an aluminum intake, a 750-cfm Holley carburetor, ceramic-coated long-tube headers, an aluminum exhaust system, and more. The interior received custom embroidered upholstery, too. A set of period-correct louvers adorn the back window and a set of 15-inch “snowflake” aluminum wheels provide fancy footwork. That being said, it would be interesting to see an itemized list of precisely what was changed and why. One thing that’s interesting about this listing is that the car in fact carries a 1974 title but has been updated to a 1978 look. One of those packages was a performance and handling package called the Trans Am. The car was available exclusively as a two-door coupe, but there were a vast number of models and special edition packages offered through 1981 when the generation was discontinued. “Completely restored custom-built Trans Am, beautifully done in a pearl blue paint with custom airbrush artwork,” the listing states.Īlongside its sibling the Chevrolet Camaro, the F-body Firebird aged into its second generation beginning in 1970. The Pick of the Day is a 1978 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am listed for sale on by a private seller in Canton, Ohio. I can’t drive 55!” This song is used as the soundtrack to a walkaround video for today’s feature car, and when you hear about the vehicle’s performance upgrades, you’ll see why. An excerpt of the lyrics includes the words, “Gonna write me up a 125, post my face wanted dead or alive. “I can’t drive 55” was a popular hard-rock song recorded by Sammy Hagar in 1984.
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