About Us

hisgto · 02-21-2005, 04:36 PM

I posted this in the "77-81 Firebird & Trans Am TECH" forum also, but thought I might get more traffic here.

I have a line on a 1978 firebird with only 37,300 miles. The photos I've seen look very nice. I will go to look after it stops raining.

It has a 403, A/T, P/S, P/B, P/W, P/L, rear defrost. California car always garaged. No rust no dents, repainted in 2002.
It belonged to an older woman (they're always older, hmmmm

)who had to go into a care facility. I believe I can get it for around $4,500-$5,000.
NADA puts the value at $6,094 - $9,313, but are these valid market numbers?

Does this sound like a decent deal worth looking at?

Thanks for your opinions.

hisgto · 02-21-2005, 04:36 PM

I posted this in the "77-81 Firebird & Trans Am TECH" forum also, but thought I might get more traffic here.

I have a line on a 1978 firebird with only 37,300 miles. The photos I've seen look very nice. I will go to look after it stops raining.

It has a 403, A/T, P/S, P/B, P/W, P/L, rear defrost. California car always garaged. No rust no dents, repainted in 2002.
It belonged to an older woman (they're always older, hmmmm

)who had to go into a care facility. I believe I can get it for around $4,500-$5,000.
NADA puts the value at $6,094 - $9,313, but are these valid market numbers?

Does this sound like a decent deal worth looking at?

Thanks for your opinions.

The Gunny · 02-21-2005, 05:27 PM

Check the VIN for mileage ect. I haven’t seen to many older women in my area driving around in a T/A! but does sound like a good deal

DAVE RIBEIRO · 02-21-2005, 05:53 PM

His GTO,

I maybe wrong,but I don't think 403ci olds came in firebirds til 79-81..But I maybe wrong
you need to check it out?? That's if you even care about having an orignal 78..Still sounds like a nice deal.... LOL...Dave...1033/stock

se428bandit · 02-21-2005, 08:22 PM

If the mileage is right,it sounds like a deal.If it was a 403 formula or T/A it would have a "K" in the VIN for the engine code.They put the olds 403 in the firebird from 1977 to 1979.

02Hawk · 02-21-2005, 08:47 PM

He states that it has a 403 at the start of the thread.

tdavidl · 02-22-2005, 11:23 AM

if you post this question on this forum you'll get alot of feedback i'm sure. many of these members have the later 2nd gens.....

http://www.transamcountry.com/forum/

Skip Fix · 02-22-2005, 12:46 PM

Pretty sure even in 78 the Claifornia cars had 403s in place of Pontiac motors.

hisgto · 02-22-2005, 01:19 PM

Thanks for all the feedback.

I did get the VIN, and the Bird is a Formula.
Since the car was repainted in '02, the formula graphics are gone.

The NADA numbers for a formula puts the value at $8,219 - $14,438

It does have the "K" in the VIN designating the Olds 403 engine.

It was built in Van Nuys, CA. The seller has the original Bill-of-Sale with the current owners name on it. So the car has been in SoCal its whole life.

I'm told the owner was a runway model in the 50's & 60's and is about 70 years old now.
So she probably bought the car during that dreaded "mid-life" crisis. She is sick now and in a care home. The car has not been driven much in the last 8 years.

If the NADA numbers are a valid guideline, it sounds like a pretty nice deal. I will make the trip to see it in the next week.

Here are some pics:

tdavidl · 02-22-2005, 02:15 PM

wow, with those 3 pics it looks to be in really good shape. can't wait to hear what happens with this one....

Skip Fix · 02-22-2005, 02:24 PM

Looks in good shape has the WS6 wheels on it also. I would think $5000 would be a steal!

larry davis · 02-22-2005, 05:48 PM

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Skip Fix:
Pretty sure even in 78 the Claifornia cars had 403s in place of Pontiac motors. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>
Not the 4 speeds.

Mine was made, delivered, & bought (both times) in California.

77 was the first year for the POS Olds engine.

It's worth 5k. But offer less.

form406 · 02-22-2005, 07:10 PM

good deal!!! super clean...the only thing i have against it is it has to be smogged!!! my 74 finally doesnt need smogging...

hisgto · 02-27-2005, 02:07 PM

Well I went to look at the car yesterday, and here is what I know.

The car appears to be in great shape.
The seller did not have it cleaned or warmed up in any way so I was able to see it "as is".

Everything was there and working with the exception of the hi-beams and the high setting on the blower fan (should be just a $12 relay).

It is still registered to the original owner and the car has only 37,385 miles on it. According to the maintenance paperwork the mileage looks correct.

403 engine, A/T, P/S, P/B, A/C (blows cold), P/W, P/L, Tilt, rear defrost, am/fm/8-track. Still has the mini type spare with the inflation tube in the trunk.

The car started right up and ran well after it was warm (a bit of bog when revving while warm-up, but none when warm) No problem breaking the tires loose and leaving a couple of stripes behind. Stopped quick and straight, however the right rear locked up first.

Here is what I think it needs:
Tires (still plenty of tread but too much cracking).
Brakes (stopped well, but some fresh pads shoes and some wheel cyl's should help).
Shocks
Possibly some tie rods (it felt tight on the road, but I had no problem twisting them by hand).
Tune-up, plugs, cap, rotor, wires, adjustments.
Belts & Hoses

The only down side to the car is that it was in a minor accident in 2002. According to the paperwork from the body shop, it looks like it was a fender bender. The car looks straight from underneath. I can see that the nosepiece was replaced along with the lower brace it attaches to (yellow marking pen on the pieces).

The car was fully repainted at that time and appears to be done well. All trim was removed, spoiler removed. Not just masked off.

It was advertised for $5,500, I offered $4000.
I will hear back from the seller tonight.

Again, any opinions, pointers, other things to look for?

Thanks

hisgto · 02-28-2005, 09:10 AM

Any thoughts or opinions?
Is it worth $4000 - $4500 based on the info above?

mrrat1 · 02-28-2005, 11:42 AM

I think that is a grrrreat deal!! The velour interior looks brand new! I don't remember seeing many Formula's with that int. I would get the custom seatbelts. Should be a show stopper. Good luck with it, Dave K.

tdavidl · 02-28-2005, 05:22 PM

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by 2 many ponchos:
I think that is a grrrreat deal!! The velour interior looks brand new! I don't remember seeing many Formula's with that int. I would get the custom seatbelts. Should be a show stopper. Good luck with it, Dave K. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

i'll 2nd that, sounds like a steal to me @ that price. i bet you could easily double your money if you wanted too ....

hisgto · 02-28-2005, 08:45 PM

Well I heard from the seller tonight, and we agreed on $4,350.

Smog sometime this week and I'll pick it up by the weekend.

Now I gotta build a chicken coupe to go along with my goat corral

MalteseFalcon · 02-28-2005, 08:48 PM

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Skip Fix:
Looks in good shape has the WS6 wheels on it also. I would think $5000 would be a steal! </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

It has WS6 wheels on it, but it's not a WS6, because it was only available on Trans Am's in 1978. But I agree, the price seems right for the condition.

Menu

About Us