It’s the Sixties and Ford’s Mustang is dominating the class it created, namely the Pony Car, and Chevrolet’s Camaro is steadily competing with it as well. Pontiac knew that they had to act, and released their Pony Car contender in 1967. Named the Firebird, it featured the coke-bottle styling similar to the Camaro, and also gave rise to an options package called the ‘Trans Am Performance and Appearance Package’ which on its own became a moniker to describe a Firebird. Whilst the first generation ran for three model years, the second generation held sway for eleven! The second generation is renowned as the one which Burt Reynolds drove on screen in ‘Smokey and the Bandit’. If you’re looking for a slice of Pontiac history, which is all the more special since the brand no longer exists, this 1978 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am is a great option to consider. This Texas car comes with just 64,000 miles on the clock.

Exterior and Interior

The second-generation of the Firebird saw coke-bottle styling replaced for more swooping lines. Initially sporting single circular headlamps, the 1977 facelift saw the introduction of quad square headlamps and a redesigned front valance, amongst other elements. This 1978 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am showcases all those styling cues in a stunning gold paintwork with gold-and-silver alloy wheels wrapped in tires that are reportedly like new. The ‘TRANS AM’ decal at the rear is present, as is the ‘Screaming Chicken’ motif on the hood and side panels. Chromed tailpipes peek out from beneath the rear bumper. An added benefit is that this example sports the T-top configuration too. The gold exterior is well-complemented by the tan interior, which is reportedly in good condition, and offers accommodation for four occupants. A Vintage Air AC has been installed for enhanced cabin comfort, and a modern Alpine head unit with CD/MP3/WMA/AAC compatibility offers broader avenues for driving tunes.

Engine

From a 231ci (3.8L) Buick-sourced V6 to a monster 455ci (7.5L) Pontiac V8, you could choose from over ten powerplants for your second-generation Firebird. This 1978 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am sports the 400ci (6.6L) Pontiac V8 that’s had a recent tune-up and a spark plug change too. Owing to Seventies emissions regulations, these majestic engines were severely throttled, and thus, the engine is rated at 200hp and 325lb-ft of power and torque output. Drive is sent rearwards through a three-speed automatic transmission.