1978 pontiac firebird drivers#
1978 pontiac firebird plus#

It was planned to save 10,000 for use in 1979 models but due to high demand only 8600 or so were left over.

This would be the last year that the Pontiac big block would be produced. The big news in the engine compartment for 1978 was uprating of the W72 available in Trans Am and Formula to 220hp from last year's 200. As you may have guessed the Redbird would feature a red exterior and interior but with gold accents.

For Esprit the Skybird package featuring an all blue car with dark blue accents was carried over but would be replaced mid year by a Redbird Appearance package. Even the T-Tops (standard on Gold SE) was gold tinted, a one year unique feature. The hood bird, also used on non_special Edition Gold Trans Ams, was a larger 5 color bird design that would prove amazingly popular on later Trans Ams. Gold accented grille lining, gold dash and shifter bezels, and a new gold Pontiac emblem on the nose (the Black Special Editions were red) accented this spectacular new car. All the striping from the Black Special Editions was there on the Gold Edition in a darker shape of gold. Originally this new Special Edition replaced the Black Special Editions of 1977 but paint matching problems caused Pontiac to bring the Black SE back. Trans Am's (except Black Special Editions) got new letterring all around and a new hood bird was designed for exclusive use on Solar Gold Trans Ams, including the new Y88 Gold Special Edition. We believe a premium price is not out of line, especially since second-gen Firebirds have been on the rise lately, with Esprits and Formulas now basking in the glow of the iconic Trans Am.Firebird appeared mostly unchanged for 1978 with minor updates including new graphics for Trans Am and a redesigned custom interior. This one has to be somewhere in between the two categories – and likely closer to a #1 car – with its outstanding original condition, documented history, and low mileage. We hope the new owner can do a little of both.Īs advertised, this Sky Bird is priced just above Hagerty’s $23,100 target for an Esprit in #1 Concours shape, not accounting for the upscale Sky Bird package, and they estimate a #2 “Excellent” Esprit at $14,500. The seller and his wife once owned and enjoyed an exact duplicate of this Sky Bird, but age and health now dictate its sale, making this choice, low-mileage example a great find for Firebird collectors who now have the tough decision to preserve or enjoy it.

1978 pontiac firebird plus#

Paperwork includes the original build sheet and bill of sale, plus lots of other documents. The seller believes the car was not winter driven, with paint appearing original, and they advise it starts, runs, and drives beautifully. Mileage now stands at just 24,100, supported by yearly DMV receipts and insurance cards. Since purchase, the air-conditioning clutch and compressor were replaced at a GM dealer, with receipts included.

It passed through a dealer and soon after to the seller via auction, for just two personal owners from new. Powered by a 305 V-8/automatic combination, features include A/C, AM radio, power brakes, power steering, and cruise control.

1978 pontiac firebird drivers#

Stylish and comfortable daily drivers when new, few have survived as well as this pristine, low-mileage example.Īccording to the seller, this 1978 Sky Bird was sold new in Minnesota and remained under original ownership there and in South Dakota until March 2018, accumulating just 23,661 miles over those four decades. Nearly 37,000 Esprits were built for ‘78, with the Sky Bird featuring two-tone Blue paint and Lombardy Blue cloth upholstery with a choice of Blue Doeskin or Blue Lombardy trim, plus dark blue grille and rear panels, accent stripes, “Sky Bird” graphics and blue cast aluminum “snowflake” wheels. Delivering more flash, the “Skybird” debuted for 1977, renamed “Sky Bird” as an early option for ’78. Updated styling freshened up the Firebird for 1977 and the personal-luxury Firebird Esprit now featured a standard Buick-built V-6 plus two V-8 engine choices. Base, Esprit, and Formula models were popular too, with the whole Firebird lineup key to Pontiac’s record sales. While the future of Pontiac’s second-generation Firebird was uncertain in the early ‘70s, sales reached a fever pitch by 1977-78, led by the Trans Am.