Vehicle Description
1970 Pontiac Firebird Esprit
For 1970, the new Pontiac Firebird was delayed until February
thanks to tooling troubles and a strike at GM. Meanwhile, insurance
rates soared for high-horsepower cars and there was a crackdown on
performance advertising . None of this boded well for Pontiac,
which was a performance brand. It was little consolation that the
new 1970 Pontiac Firebird, when it finally appeared, was a
significant improvement over the previous model. Its clean and
elegant lines would also remain in production for 12 years. The SD
455 models would be the last really fast car in the GM stable, as
the Malaise Era gripped the industry in 1974. The new model was
available only as a hardtop coupe, but the line was now refined as
four distinct models - base Firebird, Firebird Esprit, Firebird
Formula 400, and Trans Am. There would be numerous minor variations
through the decade, but these would be the main lines. The new
design was smooth and practically European, with minimal
brightwork, a bold Endura twin-grille nose, single headlights, and
fastback tail. It was lower and wider, with improved front
suspension and steering, standard front disc brakes, double paneled
roof, new multi-leaf rear springs and front and rear sway bars on
some models. Base engine was now a Chevrolet six-cylinder, while
the 255-bhp 350-cid V-8 was optional on the base car and standard
on the Esprit model. The Formula 400 could be recognized by its
twin hood scoops and was fitted with the 265-bhp 400-cid V-8.
Meanwhile, the Trans Am boasted the 335-bhp L74 Ram Air III 400ci
engine or an optional-345hp cold air induction Ram Air IV unit. The
1970 production year was very short - basically from March through
August - and leftover1969models filled the September-February gap .
Of the new 1970 Pontiac Firebirds, 18,874 were base hardtops, with
only 3134 six-cylinders. There were 18,961 Firebird Esprits, 7708
Formula 400s, and a mere 3196 Trans Ams, of which only 88 were Ram
Air IVs. -Thx to Hagarty.com
For consignment and your eyes enjoyment, a 1970 Pontiac Firebird
Esprit. A 52,788 title verified actual miles and very original car,
with the exception of the paint, rear spoiler and Firebird Formula
hood, is now looking very racy and very very tasty. This excellent
driver is also an excellent shower with miles deep paint,the
original brown knitted vinyl interior, a copy of the window sticker
and the original Protect-O-Plate. Add in all original metal with no
rust repair, for even the undercarriage, which is showing the
factory primer in areas, a fully numbers matching drivetrain, and
the original flat hood and original wheels. Nowwe have a sure fire
winner in Pontiac Firebird form.
Exterior
The first thing noticed about the Firebird is the front end with
its "Endura" plastic bumper that encases the grille and headlights.
Since the bumper is the color of the car, it gives a unique
bumper-less appearance. Our consignor states this is an all
original metal car with only change during the redux was the
addition of a performance hood and spoiler, all else is original
metal. A color change from Granada Gold to a deep dark sapphire
blue metallic is now drenching the metals and it comes to us with
deep reflections, but does show a few scrapes and scuffs down low.
The original flat hood is included with your purchase but now
gracing the space between the curvy fenders is a Formula Firebird
twin scoop ram air hood and down low, the grille is an iconic split
design with the Pontiac beak and deeply inset silver egg crate
grilles. Moving rearward, the car does not have much trimming save
for around the glass, the wheel arch, rocker trimmings and Firebird
350 badging which are all in excellent condition. A beautiful
sloping rear glass and small trunk deck leads into the 3-piece
Trans Am rear spoiler and this frames "bird beak" shaped tail
lights and there is a lower chrome bumper below. 15-inch Pontiac
Rally 2 wheels with polished trim rings are wrapped by like new
raised white letter BF Goodrich radial tires and for the purists
the original wheels are included with your purchase. A side view of
this car shows a great stance.
Interior
A swing of the Brown vinyl and plastic covered paneled doors which
are excellent, shows off the interior which looks like new but is
consignor stated original. Brown vinyl in shiny condition with
knitted vinyl inserts and smooth bolsters covers the front buckets
and rear bench and are the stars of this interior show. The center
console withitsblack knobbed Firebird logoed shifter and
smallglovebox/armrest is also in brown and is excellent. Up front
the correct Esprit oak grain applique dash is present and it houses
all original gauges, a few knobs, and the slides for the heater and
defroster. This is fronted by the 3-spoke arrowhead badged steering
wheel. Also within the dash is the original AM radio with an
ashtray and storage cubby below. Low pile Brown carpeting covers
all the floors and is like new thanks to the red and black
screaming chicken embroidered floor mats, and a tight perforated
vinyl saddle headliner is above. Original options like power
steering, power front disc brakes, a driver's remote mirror toggle
are on and we cannot overlook the trunk with its plaid liner, full
sized spare and original bumper jack.
Drivetrain
Under the long scooped hood is the original and near pristine
engine bay which includes the numbers matching YU stamped 350ci L30
V8. This engine is being fed by a 2-barrel carburetor and on the
back of the mill is the numbers matching TH350 3-speed automatic
and the CRX stamped 10-bolt 2.73 geared rear axle.
Undercarriage
All is looking good underneath with very little surface rust to be
seen anywhere. Just a solid unibody, flooring, rockers and trunk
pan, so original in fact that multiple areas of the factory primer
are showing through where the undercoating was lightly applied.
Independent coil spring suspension is on the front with leaf spring
suspension on the rear and power disc brakes are in front and power
drums for the rear. We also see a like newsingleexhaust system with
a stock style muffler. I'll give it an A grade for the
undercarriage originality and honesty.
Drive-Ability
A quick light of the 8 fires and off to the test track I was. Here
the performance shone brightlyand handling was excellent as well.
Solid braking, and all was working just swimmingly.
The culmination of an owner who really cared about this car and
kept it nearly the way it had come from the factory, all the while
keeping a showroom new appearance. Great paint, a like new original
interior and factory fresh all around for this beefed up version of
the often forgotten Esprit. Now waiting for you, the Pontiac
proponent to come along and take over ownership duties, here at our
Classic Auto Mall.
224870N110314
2-Pontiac
24-Firebird Esprit
87-2 Door Hardtop Sport Coupe
0-1970
N-Norwood, OH Assy Plant
110314-Sequential Unit Number
TRIM TAG
ST 70 22387-1970 Firebird 2 Door Hardtop Sport Coupe
BDY NOR26115-Norwood Body #
TR 213-Brown Knitted Vinyl Buckets
PNT 58 58-Granada Gold
04A-1st Week April
Classic Auto Mall is a 336,000-square foot classic and special
interest automobile showroom, featuring over 850 vehicles for sale
with showroom space for up to 1,000 vehicles. Also, a 400 vehicle
barn find collection is on display.
This vehicle is located in our showroom in Morgantown,
Pennsylvania, conveniently located just 1-hour west of Philadelphia
on the I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. The website is
www.classicautomall.com and our phone number is (888) 227-0914.
Please contact us anytime for more information or to come see the
vehicle in person.
