Vehicle Description
Rest assured that in 1978, there were still guys who wanted big
performance without the extroverted look of the Trans Am. That's
why this 1978 Pontiac Firebird was built, to make all those Trans
Am guys think twice before jumping on the Bandit Bandwagon. This
mostly-stock muscle car packs a lively small-block 350 V8, a
smooth-shifting automatic, and period-perfect factory paint and
interior to make one heck of a killer Poncho.
Finding a late-2nd generation Firebird isn't easy as it used to be,
as most of the '78s left are either true T/A or faithful
reproductions. Popular movies and the power of the zeitgeist has
that power over certain makes, and it's a shame because supercool
cars like this Firebird are sometimes forgotten in all the
commotion. The Cameo White paint found on the original bodywork is
a respray, but it's relatively recent and shows very well, with
nary an imperfection to really complain about. Sure, it's not a
trailer-queen, not at this price point, but this Firebird could
pull right up to a T/A and look like it belongs. The slanted-front
facelift occurred a year prior on the Firebird, giving the car a
very clean, no-nonsense look that works especially well with that
iconic urethane nose and slick hood. The blacked-out split-grille
panel with Pontiac's famous four-headlight set-up is instantly
recognizable, further augmented by the parking light slots just
below, and the ducktail spoiler and louvered-style taillights out
back look slick as well. The 'Red Bird' graphics are the perfect
complement to the slick Cameo White paint, with the 'Screaming
Chicken' on the hood taking up the most real estate, matched by the
fender decals and Firebird script on the rear spoiler. The paint is
quite good for a car that's supposed to be a driver, the panels fit
pretty much where the guys on the assembly line put them, and even
the urethane bumper covers are in great condition and match the
rest of the body. There's not a ton of chrome either, other than
the window surrounds and flashy wheels, but that's okay because the
blacked-out elements and tinted windows are the perfect complement
to the bright-white finish.
The brilliant black cloth-and-vinyl interior is the perfect
contrast to the white livery outside, and it looks fantastic today
thanks to a thorough and correct restoration. The upholstery,
carpets, door panels, and dash pad are all factory-spec and in
excellent shape, and even in the photos you can see how beautifully
preserved everything is in the original style. Front buckets are
sporty and supportive, and they're split by a factory center
console that houses the tall shifter for the automatic transmission
below. An original three-spoke anchors the cabin, and just beyond
it there's a full array of factory gauges inside a woodgrain bezel,
and they cover all the vitals of the 350 under the hood. Like many
of these Firebirds from the era, the options list is fairly slim,
but you do get seatbelts for safety, a heater for comfort in the
elements, and a Pioneer AM/FM/CD/AUX head unit that handles the
tunes inside. Plush black carpets below insulate the cabin and are
protected by thick vinyl mats, there's a taut headliner above, and
out back the rear seats look like they haven't been used since
someone took their friends to Bon Jovi's first tour. You also get a
fairly sizeable trunk in this F-body, and it's finished with
matching black carpets.
The Trans Am had the reputation, but there's an argument to be made
that the Firebird's 350 V8 was the motor to have. It's a peppy
small block with an 8:2:1 compression ratio and 170 factory horses,
along with a stout torque curve over 275 lb-ft. Topped by what is
likely the original Rochester Quadrajet 4-barrel carb, the motor is
essentially stock, with a black air cleaner up top and chromed
valve covers at the flanks adding a touch of flash. Signs of
maintenance show everywhere you look and the engine runs superbly,
with a crisp burble from the long-tube headers that feed into the
H-pipe dual exhaust system that's punctuated with Flowmaster
mufflers. A TH350 3-speed automatic transmission shifts smoothly
and spins a 10-bolt rear end out back, while power steering and
power front disc brakes ensure a great ride every time out. Flashy
chrome wheels look slick as cans be, and they're wrapped in a
classic big-and-little tire combo that gives this Firebird an added
rake.
If this was a Trans Am with similar features, it would cost tens of
thousands of dollars more. Instead, why not enjoy the rarity, the
preservation, and the performance offered by this dialed-in 1978
Firebird. Call today!
