Vehicle Description
1976 Pontiac Firebird Esprit - Top Class Restoration - Partial
Build Sheet - 350ci V8 w/Automatic Transmission - Factory Air
Conditioning - (Please note: If you happen to be viewing this
vehicle on a website other than our main website, it's possible
that only some of our many photographs of this car are not
presented due to website limitations. To be sure you access all the
photographs, please go to our main website: Garage Kept Motors.)
While considered a lesser model than a TransAm there were less of
the Esprits produced, therefore they are more rare.� This
particular Esprit was restored with no expense spared and looks
like a brand new car. It rolled off the Norwood Ohio assembly plant
as an Esprit with deluxe package, rear spoiler (Code D80), and air
conditioning (Code C60). This was a solid western car that needed
very little in the way of rust repair.� Once the body was ready for
paint, a final coat of urethane single stage paint was applied in
Orange.� The owner asked that the color match an orange Crush soda
can. The bodyshop got the orange color right on the money - without
any orange peel.� The car was originally painted Carousel Red (Code
78) which Chevrolet called Hugger Orange. Any stainless trim pieces
were repolished, and chrome trim pieces were re-chromed to a
factory finish.� Weatherstrips and seals were all replaced with new
rubber. The frame and engine compartment were painted to a very
nice finish. In addition to the highly detailed finish of the
exterior of the car, a number of custom features were added.� A
functional early-style (1974) GM Formula snorkel hood with a
functional Ram Air upgrade has been added, as well as a functional
hood tachometer. A custom fiberglass front bumper was installed to
save weight on the front end of the car. The fiberglass bumper
saves approximately 75 pounds compared to the original bumper.
Cragar chrome wheels complete the look and really pop with the
orange color of the body.�� This car left the factory with the
interior finished in white upholstery (Code 11N) and black trim
(Code 19X).� During the restoration, the interior was gone through
with new upholstery added throughout, as well as new carpeting and
a new headliner.� Of note is that the rear seat was near mint and
reconditioned, and the rear door panels were also reconditioned to
mint condition. Original parts were used and reconditioned to
factory specs when possible.� From top to bottom the interior looks
new, and also includes an AM/FM Radio with 8 Track.�� Under the
custom hood is a period correct 350ci V8 mated to a TH350 3 speed
automatic transmission.� The engine and transmission were gone
through and meticulously rebuilt. Our client asked that the car
have some more power than the stock engine but still be nice to
drive on the street.� The engine currently has a 9.2:1 compression
ratio thanks to a nice list of parts. Keith Black flat top pistons,
CompCams performance cam and lifter set, Pertronics billet
distributor, and the heads were milled. Sitting atop the engine are
an Edelbrock aluminum intake manifold, and Edelbrock 4bbl
carburetor. Power steering, power disc brakes, and rear sway bar
were options from the factory, and are still on the car today.� The
rear shocks were upgraded with custom rate leaf springs, and
adjustable QA1 coil over suspension was installed in front.��Energy
Suspension graphite type bushings were installed in the control
arms, sway bar, and spring eyes. � This is a beautifully restored
classic Pontiac with some subtle and tasteful upgrades from the
original specs.� The car is hard to miss and its pristine condition
is impressive. Despite the fact that it is not a TransAm we're
excited about his car, and we are confident that it will really
'a-peel' to many car collectors.� Orange you glad it's been fully
restored?�� Be sure to check out all the photos and video on our
main website: Garage Kept Motors. Call if interest