1978 Pontiac Firebird

According to the VIN stamped into the scuttle and listed in the detail panel above (rather than the mis-read VIN registered on the V5C) this car is a 1978 model-year Pontiac Firebird Formula powered by a 400 cu-in (6.6-litre) Pontiac V8, sporting a 4 barrel Rochester Quadrajet carburetor and dual exhausts.

It is of course left hand drive and has a 3-speed automatic transmission.

The Formula model was marketed as a less showy alternative to the Trans Am, which could be ordered with most of the same mechanical options but without the more brash external styling.

The body was built by Fisher in the fourth week of September 1977 and the car was likely assembled between 2 and 8 weeks later at the General Motors plant in Norwood, Ohio.

Nothing is known about the car’s life stateside but if the DVLA has it correct, the car was imported to the UK and registered here in July 1986. It was bought by the most recent owner in March 1990.

She was an enthusiastic car collector and investor who, with her partner, used to buy cars, fix them up and sell them. Although in this case it would seem that the Firebird caught her fancy and she never sold, but instead used it for local journeys around Hampshire.

After just the two UK owners, the car now has around 86,500 miles recorded on the odometer, should be considered as something of a project car and is being sold as part of a deceased estate.

Colour code 69 - what this car’s exterior is painted in - was referred to as “Dark Camel” by General Motors but you can call it bronze if you prefer, we won’t get the hump!

Whilst the bronze Firebird looks good on approach, up close you can see that the paint is blistering or cracking badly in a number of places such as the front wings and rear tailgate.

Paint finish aside, the bodywork appears in a generally good condition with no obvious damage. The panel gaps and shutlines aren’t the best, the bonnet (hood) appears misaligned (which could be related to the broken bonnet catch) and the passenger door seems to have dropped.

The Firebird sits on 15-inch Rally II wheels with silver painted “spokes” and bronze centres and a chrome trim ring. All look in a very good condition and have been fitted with new Cooper Lifeliner Touring tyres.

There is more camel inside the car - the upholstery being trim code 62B, which is a “Camel Tan” velour cloth. The upholstery actually looks quite presentable in a funky seventies way but there is something of an odour to the interior that a good clean would probably eradicate.

The front seats are the optioned Strato bucket seats - as opposed to a bench seat across the front - and are in good condition with no damage or undue wear that we can see. There is a little scuffing and chipping of the plastic on the rear side panels, perhaps where rigid items have been carried on the back seats.

The door cards, centre console and dash are trimmed in a matching tan vinyl and present well, and there’s a wood effect inlay to the instrument panel. The three-spoke steering wheel is trimmed with black leather around the rim and is of the correct Trans Am / Formula type.

A note on the dash suggests that it isn’t a great idea to let the steering lock cut in as it isn’t so easy to release… or words to that effect. A new ignition barrel might be in order. A modern JVC stereo is fitted to the centre console.

The sand coloured carpets (quite appropriate for camels) are a little soiled but in good order but the headlining is marked and worn.

Under the bonnet, the engine bay looks rather dirty and uncared for. It is nearly six years since the car was last taken for an MOT, but that also coincides with when classic cars became exempt, so we don’t know what maintenance it has had since. The motor does run but is a little lumpy which suggests a good service and some fettling is required.

The undersides of the car show quite a bit of corrosion, both surface rust and more significant oxidation. Prospective buyers should scrutinise the detailed photos underneath the car to make their own assessment, or better still arrange a personal inspection.

The lock on the boot is missing and we haven’t been able to open it, but we understand that there are new replacement rear floor pans stowed inside.

The Firebird’s last MoT expired in 2018 and although as an historic vehicle it is exempt, we would always encourage owners to use the annual test for independent proof of roadworthiness should you ever need it.

The history file includes a number of old MoT reports back to 1990 and several invoices for parts and work done in the latest ownership period. These include bills from Dolphin American Services Ltd of New Milton, Hampshire for engine and gearbox rebuild work carried out during 2009.

Also included are some undated photos of a repaint, a few magazines, owner’s club literature and an original Owner’s Manual.

There’s a lot to like about this car, the interior for starters once it has been properly cleaned. You just don’t get upholstery like that in a car any more and it should be celebrated, particularly when it is in good order like this.

The other things to like would be the V8 motor, again once it has been cleaned and fettled, and also the exterior presence of the car, which needs some expert attention, if not a full prep and paint.

Throw in the work needed on the undersides and we see this overall as a project car - not a full, multi-year, labour of love but a good amount of work to get the car back to a safe, road-going condition and looking at its best.

We still expect that you’ll need to find between £10,000 and £15,000 to get your hands on this iconic American muscle, but it is selling with NO RESERVE, so you never know what might happen if you submit a cheekily low bid.

Viewing is always encouraged, and this particular car is located with us at The Market HQ near Abingdon; to arrange an appointment please use the ‘Contact Seller’ button at the top of the listing. Feel free to ask any questions or make observations in the comments section below, or try our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.