Vehicle Description
1979 Pontiac Firebird Esprit
One of the most well known television cars in history was, in fact,
a Firebird Esprit. Or was it? As Hagerty puts it, "Rockford drove
what appeared to be a stock looking Pontiac Firebird Esprit,
finished in glowing Solar Gold, replete with whitewall tires.
Garner once explained that "Rockford would have probably rather had
a Trans Am, but realistically couldn't afford it.'". Truth be told,
in order to retain the ability to perform tire screeching chases,
producers dressed down a Pontiac Formula so it would fit the modest
lifestyle of the trailer home dwelling private investigator.
For consignment, a 1979 Pontiac Firebird Esprit showing 11,525
miles, but the true miles are unknown. This Poncho has a numbers
matching drivetrain and although we were not able to verify the
mileage based on the title, all indicators point to a low mileage
car. Read on and see the photos, and if you can, see it in
person!
Exterior
Just like Jim RockFord's, this Esprit starts off with Solar Gold,
and in 1979, color coverage includes body matching Endura bumper
covers, the nose especially streamlined and seamless compared to
previous years. This car retains the 15-inch Pontiac Rally II
wheels with the original OEM white wall tires, and is augmented by
wheel flares shared by the Trans Am. The screaming eagle decal is
on the hood with a center strength fold filling the space where a
shaker hood scoop would go and the bird makes its way to the
C-pillars while the epic three piece spoiler is added out back.
This car makes no false claims and Firebird ESPRIT is still
displayed by fender emblems with no Trans Am written anywhere. The
silver lined red tail lights are a Firebird cue as well as the T/A
would have smoked lenses. The body and paint are very good with
imperfections noted to include some flex cracks in the Endura, some
scuffs down low, various blemishes, mismatched color hues, orange
peel, and divots.
Interior
Mottled Camel vinyl covers most of the door panels in standard
Firebird style while a carpeted strip covers the kick panel and map
pockets and both doors are in great shape. The Camel hobnail cloth
seats are also in fantastic condition including both the buckets up
front and 2+2 in back. The T-spoked tilt steering wheel, while not
the sporty model of the T/A, is in beautiful condition and dressed
in various shades of brown plastic. A spun aluminum faceplate
covers the instrument cluster which other than a clock replacing a
tach, does not vary much from its hi-po cousin. The AM/FM radio is
still in place framed in soft tan plastic that looks great and
spills down onto the center console where the shifter lives in a
black plastic base with a touch of patina on its silver painted
trim. The carpet is clean and plush and the perforated headliner is
intact but shows some indentations. Black carpet covers the trunk
which houses a spare and jack.
Drivetrain
A factory clean engine bay awaits and houses the numbers matching
301ci V8 rated at 135 horsepower, fueled by a 2-barrel carburetor
and mated to the numbers matching TH350 3-speed automatic
transmission sending power to the 10 bolt rear axle with 2.41
gears. Power brakes were provided at the factory and are configured
as front discs and rear drum.
Undercarriage
Down here where the rubber meets the road, all is well. Surface
rust is pervasive but simply a result of the passage of time rather
than runs in the rain. The belly pans look coated and clean, the
oil and transmission pans only show a film, and the knuckles are
clear. The subframe has hit a few high spots in the road and
there's some general dampness up front, but otherwise the bottom is
clean. A single exhaust runs through an original equipment muffler,
then exits via a straight chrome tip out back. Suspension is
standard coil springs up front and leaf springs in the back.
Drive-Ability
We're going to take it easy on the 46 year old tires, but that
doesn't impact the well running V8. Automatic shifts are smooth and
the interior is clean and comfortable. All of the functions
available to the driver operate as they should and we glide this
gold bird back to the mall. While Classic Auto Mall represents that
these functions were working at the time of our test drive, we
cannot guarantee these functions will be working at the time of
your purchase.
We use the term time capsule sparingly around here especially with
so many cars restored to "better than new". But this one really
does feel like 1979, for someone who wanted a Trans Am but didn't
want to pay the extra money nor incur the insurance costs. And
speaking of price, this car comes with the window sticker and is a
true piece of Pontiac history!
2T87Y9N114118
2-Pontiac
T-Firebird Esprit
87-2 Door Hardtop Sport Coupe
Y-301ci 2bbl 135hp V8
9-1979
N-Norwood, OH Assy Plant
114118-Sequential Unit Number
TRIM TAG
79-1979
10C-3rd Week October
2FS87-Firebird Hardtop Sport Coupe
N040098-Norwood Body #
628-Camel Hobnail Cloth
50L 50U-Solar Gold
A51-Bucket Seats
A21-Power Windows
W67-Esprit Package
Classic Auto Mall is home to more than 1,000 classic and
collectible vehicles for sale via consignment in a climate
controlled 336,000-square foot showroom (that's more than 8
acres!). The largest single location consignment dealer of classic
and collectible vehicles in the country is located in Morgantown,
Pennsylvania, just 1-hour west of Philadelphia off Exit 298 of the
I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. For more information visit
www.classicautomall.com or call us at (888) 227-0914. Contact us
anytime for more information or to come see the vehicle in person.
There is no guarantee of mileage. A $299 Dealer Administrative fee
is not included in the advertised price.
With so many great cars, you know we have a lot to talk about, and
we do that each week on the Classic Auto Mall Podcast with host
Stewart Howden. Stewart discusses new inventory as well as trends
in consignments and car prices, while interviewing celebrities and
automotive professionals about amazing cars and their history. Tune
in each week to the Classic Auto Mall Podcast wherever you enjoy
listening. You can also watch on YouTube!
