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AutoHunter Spotlight: 1977 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am

Featured on AutoHunter, the online auction platform driven by ClassicCars.com, is this 1977 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am.

To someone who grew up in the period of the 1970s and 80s (me) that era Trans Am of my era has been a cool car since it was new. Think about it, and you will know I’m right. The Trans Am starred in its own series of movies, had flashy 1970s style looks, and, on top of it all, was one of the best performing American cars both in straight line performance as well as handling in an era where performance had been all but forgotten. The Trans Am became the lone holdout of the high performance pony car era and offered performance and engine options that even the Camaros from the era had lost. All this helped make the Trans Am basically the last man standing in the world of the pony cars and as result the car was a legend both then and now. These are the reasons that the mid 1970s to early 80s Trans Am cars have become so popular in the collector car world today.

The 1977 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am featured here is powered by a 6.6-liter V8 backed by a three-speed automatic transmission. Features include air conditioning, power steering, a tilt steering column, an AM/FM/CD stereo, and power front disc brakes. The cars exterior is finished just like the Smokey and the Bandit car wearing black paint with a black cloth interior.

The body of this car is said to be rust-free. Exterior features include color-keyed bumpers, a front lower spoiler, correct gold accent pinstriping, a gold Trans Am hood decal, a shaker hood scoop, color-keyed mirror housings with a manual driver-side remote, and a rear spoiler. I love the gothic font used on the exterior Trans Am stickers on this era. They add a kind of heavy metal look and you can almost hear the Black Sabbath blaring out of the stereo when just looking at the car. The car rides on its correct 15-inch gold snowflake-style aluminum wheels is wrapped in Mastercraft Avenger G/T radial tires.

The interior is furnished with black cloth front bucket seats and a matching rear seat surrounded by black vinyl door panels and trim. I personally love the engine turned look of the Trans Ams of this era, especially since these cars feature 100-mph speedometers, a 6,000-rpm tachometer with an integrated clock, and gauges for the fuel level, coolant temperature, oil pressure, and voltage gauges. The full instrumentation mixed with the dash it add an extra bit of cool and a serious sporting look to the interior of the car.

Under the hood this Trans Am has its stock 6.6-liter V8. The engine compartment of this car looks to be both clean and in stock condition. All finishes look to be correct, and it looks like an honest unmodified example of a Trans Am, something harder to find that you might think. The engine is backed by a three-speed automatic transmission.

This is a nicely turned out example of the classic Trans Am, and my advice is if you have always loved these cars then you should buy one sooner than later. This one would be the perfect car to drive and show. Yours could be the winning bid, so why not take a show at buying this icon of the 1970s. If you are the winning bidder make sure you don’t forget to bring your Dio and Ozzy CDs on your first drive.

The auction for this 1977 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am ends Tuesday, February 20, 2024 at 11:45 a.m. (MST)

Visit the AutoHunter listing for more information and photo gallery

Pick of the Day: 1957 Dodge Coronet

Virgil Exner released an onslaught of style upon the Detroit establishment in the fall of 1956. Every Chrysler Corporation brand was distinct in style and purpose, which has made them quite loved in the collector car market today. However, these Chrysler Corporation creations can be rather pricey today, which is why our Pick of the Day, a 1957 Dodge Coronet four-door sedan, is so refreshing. It is listed for sale on ClassicCars.com by a private seller in High Point, North Carolina. (Click the link to view the listing)

When the new Forward Look Plymouth, Dodge, DeSoto, Chrysler, and Imperial were introduced, which was your favorite? Dodge may have come off as the sleekest of the bunch, but it arguably was also the most polarizing, as the front end was all chrome bumpers without any lattice style within (Dodge described it as a “massive mono grille”). This gave the face of the Dodge a tough look lacking the gentle features of its sister brands.

“Step into the wonderful world of Autodynamics,” said Dodge when extoling its virtues in 1957. From the hurricane of power from the Red Ram V8 to the Super D-500, the tornado of torque was tamed by the available TorqueFlite transmission. And, thanks to the Torsion-Aire Ride suspension, the Swept-Wing Dodges drove, rode, and handled like no other car you have ever driven.

Nineteen fifty-seven was the year that the industry was creeping up into the world of quad headlights. As laws on illumination were determined on a state-by-state basis, it was just a matter of time before all 48 states had approved quad headlights. Dodges looked like they had quads but, thanks to Exner and his design team, Dodges (and Plymouths) featured “twin-set” driving and parking lights to give the illusion of such. Other styling features included the “broad horizon” windshield and recessed door handles and, of course, those gorgeous swept-wing fins that gave the opportunity for clever two-toning.

But one wasn’t obliged to get swept up in the flash of the 1950s, as this 1957 Dodge Coronet four-door sedan demonstrates. This one is painted monotone black, a look that gives this Dodge a most formal appearance considering the Coronet was the lowest-priced series in the Dodge line. And before you start rolling your eyes at the idea you’ll have to pay an arm and a leg for a Forward Look Mopar, glance at what’s underneath the hood: the Get-Away Six. A flathead design measuring 231cid, this six featured 8.0 compression and put out put out 138 horsepower. It’s also backed by Chrysler Corporation’s magnificent push-button automatic. According to the seller, the six has been maintained with new master cylinder and brake line hoses, fuel and water pumps, and spark plugs.

Beyond the engine compartment, this Coronet features “new upholstery and headliner [with the] beige and black double-stitched as originally done, nearly and professionally, including the trunk carpet with vinyl rim,” adds the seller, who also says that the transmission seals will be replaced, as will the right-side rear door glass. And the best part? The price has been reduced to $12,995. Exner goodness for the price of an old Hyundai? You better sign up for this before I do!

Click here for this ClassicCars.com Pick of the Day.

Interesting Finds: 2003 Acura NSX-T

During Barrett-Jackson’s Scottsdale auction earlier this year, nearly 2,000 vehicles crossed the block at no reserve.  More than 190 of them set world records, and transactions totaled about $207 million.

One of the many eye-catching cars there was a 2003 Acura NSX-T in stunning Silverstone Metallic. This car had a few special things going for it – most notably its rare configuration. Let’s dive into the deets:

The NSX enthusiast community has consolidated production statistics for all vehicles from the first generation, which ranged between the 1991 and 2005 model years. According to the data on the NSX Prime forums, there were just 171 Silverstone NSXs from 2003. Taking the analysis a step further, there were 32 produced with black interior and 25 produced with gray interior. And lastly, when factoring in the transmission offerings for that year, only 3 four-speed automatics came out in Silverstone for 2003, and 2 of them had black interiors. Barrett-Jackson’s docket featured one of those special cars.

Adding to the mystique was the fact that the car had only 10,046 miles on the odometer. Even though its exterior design stayed attractive and relevant even in recent years, the car is now over 20 years old, so finding a particularly low mileage example such as this has become a challenge to say the least.

Here is a little bit of trivia worth noting: Automatic-equipped cars had a distinct engine. Specifically, they came with a 3.0-liter V6 that produced 252 horsepower. On the flipside, manual-equipped cars came with a 3.2-liter V6 with 290 horsepower. Whether that delta translates into a vast difference in the driving experience, I haven’t personally evaluated, but either power rating is more than ample for an all-aluminum two-seater that weighs only about 3,100 pounds. Besides, the NSX was engineered more for its optimal canyon-carving balance as opposed to its go-fast, straight-line abilities.

The strong enthusiast community for NSX cars is centered around its annual event called “NSXPO,” which is put on by the NSX Club of America (NSXCA). We have shared the NSXPO experience on The Journal before, and perhaps some of our readers will recall this story about the 2022 program in Arizona which attracted over 100 cars. NSXPO 2024 will take place October 23 through 27 in Grapevine, Texas, and registration will open up in the coming months to members of the club. Hopefully the lucky new owner of the Barrett-Jackson-sold NSX will make an appearance.

The selling price for this NSX-T was $95,700, which slotted only a little bit above its $89,000 original retail price. It is no mystery that the NSX marketplace has seen strong momentum in recent years. Some of it may have been driven by heightened awareness and attention for the nameplate when it made a comeback on a second-generation model in 2017 (it has since been discontinued). Do you think NSX values are on the rise, staying put, or making a decline? Let’s hear it in the comment section.

Downsized Dreams: The Untold Downfall of American Compact Cars

One of the most common American automotive stereotypes is that domestic manufacturers always insist bigger is better. However, the recession of the early ’70s and the surge of Japanese and European brands showed that not all customers wanted big sedans or wagons. Some were perfectly happy with small, much more fuel-efficient cars.

During this time, American car brands produced numerous compact models. Some were genius and innovative while some were just badge-engendering and forgettable. All have their place in the history of the American car industry and the hearts of millions of buyers. We looked back at the most interesting classic American compacts. These were cars you loved, hated, and even missed. But they all have one thing in common – they all tell the story of the rise and fall of this once-exciting segment. Let’s get started.

1972 Amc Gremlin X Via Mecum
Photo Credit: Mecum

AMC Gremlin

Introduced in 1970 on April 1st, the AMC Gremlin looked like an April Fool’s joke. Competitors laughed at its compact dimensions, odd rear end, and diminutive engines. But very soon AMC was laughing all the way to the bank. The Gremlin was a sales success and the first American subcompact car. In the late ’60s, American manufacturers offered big, heavy models but sales of compact imports like the Toyota Corolla or VW Beetle started to rise. AMC noticed the trend and began developing a small, subcompact model that would be cheap yet offered lots of room inside and decent driving dynamics (via Motor Trend).

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Photo Credit: Mecum

When the Gremlin was first introduced, it received mixed reviews. But it soon became popular, especially with younger audiences. In fact, in the decade of platform shoes, The Eagles, and shag carpets, Gremlin became one of the symbols of the generation and a very influential model that inspired all American manufacturers to offer small economy cars.

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Bad Boys: Remembering The Best Police Cruisers From Every Decade

Police cars have long been some of the most recognizable cars on the road. The police car is something that we encounter nearly every day of our lives on city streets. The police car is something that is used in high-impact situations such as chases, school functions, and day-to-day patrols. A police car has to be comfortable, perform well, and above all else, be very reliable. The most common police car ever is the Ford Crown Victoria.

The big sedan was once loved by police departments and was among the most reliable cars on the road. Throughout the decades, many other police cars that were more exciting hit the roads as well. So we looked back at the police cruisers from each decade as well as the future models. There’s nothing quite like a classic, high-performance police car, and some of these rides are beyond cool. There are few more noticeable or iconic rides than a police car. Put your hands up and remain silent as we look at the most iconic police cruisers from each decade.

1926 Ford Model T Dr S Coupe
Photo Credit: Barn Finds

Model T Ford Police Truck

The Model T was the car that put America on wheels and is forever a legend in the auto world. So once it became a mainstream vehicle, local police departments began to use it as well. The Model T was a great car with an awesome design. As an early police car, it was quite nimble and versatile. The Model T laid the groundwork for the future of police cars and in a way laid the groundwork for decades of future Ford dominance in the police interceptor segment (via Blue Springs Ford).

062216 Barn Finds 1922 Ford Model T 1
Photo Credit: Barn Finds

By the 1920s, the Model T had become a common sight in police departments across the United States. Because the Model T wasn’t designed to be a police car, most departments around the country customized the car to fit their needs. All in all, the Model T was a trendsetter for the world of police cars and it remains the most iconic automobile of all time.

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Thrills Without Bills: These Fast Muscle Cars Won’t Break The Budget

In the auto world, performance is costly and the fastest cars are nearly always the most expensive. However, it doesn’t have to be that way. Indeed, some bargains still exist in the performance car segment. Vehicles that are affordable to obtain but still powerful enough to make you smile. Also, it is cheap to run, which is an essential aspect.

That’s why we compiled a list of inexpensive but still exciting cars that you can maintain yourself, drive until the wheels fall off, and are easy to modify. These genuine 150 mph+ beasts are lifetime deals because they are so reasonable money. They’re also perfect starter cars that will reward you with considerable performance, tuning potential, and tire-burning muscle. Check out our list of affordable muscle cars that are easy to maintain right here.

Photo Credit: Nissan

Infiniti G35 Coupe

The best-looking Infiniti Coupe is the 2003-07 G35 Coupe. It’s a well-composed and engineered two-door model based on the G35 sedan architecture. With a 3.5-liter V6 engine under the hood and 280 horsepower on tap, the G35 Coupe was a more mature and more luxurious version of Nissan’s 350Z, which isn’t bad by any means (via Infiniti).

Photo Credit: Top Speed

That means the G35 possessed the exact sharp handling, excellent driving dynamics, and good performance usually available only in a more upscale package. The 0 to 60 mph sprint took just below six seconds and its top speed was close to 160 mph. Decent examples with full-service history and excellent equipment can be found for around $10,000 and maintenance usually remains inexpensive.

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Lost In Time: Revisiting Rare Automotive Legends of the 1960s

The 1960s were a time of peace, love, and above all else, some seriously cool rides that still turn heads. But it wasn’t only about the Mustangs and Camaros of the car world. There are several gems from the ’60s that didn’t find the limelight but are still worth remembering. These unsung heroes of the road had the looks and the quirks but somehow slipped through the cracks of mainstream fame. In this trip down memory lane, we dug into the back catalog of the ’60s to spotlight some cars that you might not remember but definitely shouldn’t forget.

There’s the AMC Marlin, the underdog with a back end you can’t forget and charm that deserved more applause. And let’s not skip over the Dodge Charger 500, a beast built for speed that somehow didn’t zoom into the mainstream consciousness as much as it should have. So buckle up and let’s hit the road with these forgotten but unforgettable rides of the ’60s. It’s going to be a casual ride with plenty of pit stops to admire the cool, quirky, and downright awesome cars that time forgot but we’re bringing back into the spotlight.

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Photo Credit: Mecum

Alfa Romeo TZ2: The Italian Enigma

The TZ2 was developed with a clear focus on racing, specifically for the FIA’s Group 4 category. When you take one look at this car, you’ll instantly recognize its racing pedigree. It’s no surprise as Alfa Romeo is a brand known for excellent handling and performance. The TZ2 had a specific suspension and lowered ride height that was custom-tailored for the race track. This car won numerous racing awards and trophies around the world thanks to its championship design and speed (via Forza).

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Photo Credit: Mecum

The TZ2 wasn’t just made for racing as it was also a production vehicle. In typical Alfa Romeo fashion, the car was very high-end and appealing to a completely different clientele of drivers. People who drove these early Alfa models were auto fans who enjoyed the pleasure of driving. This wasn’t your average day-to-day car. If you were lucky enough to get one that was painted the beautiful red color, you had a showpiece that everyone would have noticed.

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Graphic Mastery: Bold Production Car Designs That Turned Heads

When muscle cars exploded on the car scene in the mid-’60s, they brought a great many new things to the car industry. This included aesthetic changes with the release of new color schemes and graphic packages. When muscle cars became a sales hit, Detroit took the ‘cooler’ path with a rather colorful approach. The best way to stand out from the rest was to introduce wild and bright colors. Soon, shades like Hemi Orange or Plum Crazy Purple became synonymous with Dodge and Plymouth cars, but that wasn’t all.

To make their vehicles even more characteristic and unique, manufacturers started introducing various graphic designs that were previously unheard of at the time. This was the first time in car history that manufacturers equipped their models with wild graphics straight from the factory. It marked a revolutionary moment in the industry as a result. So much so that these graphics became legendary in addition to the cars. Even though this trend started in the US, it was later accepted by Europeans. Check out the best car graphic packages ever released straight from the manufacturers here.

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Photo Credit: Flickr

Plymouth Roadrunner

When it first appeared in 1968, the Plymouth Roadrunner proved to be a very influential muscle car. Not only did it introduce the new trend of inexpensive yet fun vehicles but it was also a strong seller. The most appealing thing about the Roadrunner was the fact that Plymouth used the Roadrunner cartoon character from the popular Wile E. Coyote cartoon. Chrysler paid $60,000 for the rights to use the name and design and everyone thought the company was crazy for doing so. The sales results proved everybody wrong and the Roadrunner was the first muscle car with crazy graphics, starting the trend (via MCI).

Photo Credit: Mecum

The Roadrunner had a bench seat, no luxury options, and manual steering. It came with the powerful 383 V8 as the base engine and buyers could also opt for the 440 or the mythical Hemi 426. In 1969, the Roadrunner got a convertible option for those buyers who wanted an open-air driving feel. But the majority of Roadrunners produced were two-door hard tops. For just above $3,000, you could be the proud owner of a Roadrunner in 1970. However, if you wanted a few options and the Hemi engine, the price quickly rose to over $4,000.

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1931 Ford Model A Coupe Street Rod

This 1931 Ford Model A was acquired by the previous owner in 2022 as an unmodified example and subsequently modified in the style of a street rod. Work included mounting the light gray body to a Speedway Motors fully boxed frame that is fitted with a dropped front axle, four-wheel disc brakes, a Ford 9″ rear end, 15″ American Racing Torq Thrust wheels, and a TH400 three-speed automatic transmission. Power comes from a 350ci Chevy V8 fitted with an Edelbrock intake manifold, a Summit Racing billet distributor, an Edelbrock carburetor, block-hugger headers, and a custom fabricated dual exhaust with glasspack mufflers. The interior is trimmed in gray and tan upholstery, while the rumble seat wears black vinyl. Additional details include a wood-rimmed steering wheel, a polished stainless steel steering column, aftermarket instrumentation, and a B&M shifter. This Model A Street Rod was acquired by the selling dealer in 2024 and is now offered with build receipts, a car cover, and a clean Oregon title.

The steel body is finished in light gray with dark gray coachlines and black fiberglass fenders and running boards, and it is mounted to a sandblasted and powder-coated Speedway Motors fully-boxed frame that features a ’32-style front cross member. Additional details include a Messko radiator thermometer, a tilt-out windshield, and cowl lights with integrated turn signals as well as a rumble seat, chrome bumpers, and a grille protector.

Staggered 15″ American Racing Torq Thrust wheels are mounted with Blackhawk tires measuring 195/65 up front and 235/75 out back. The car is equipped with a Vega-style steering box and a cross steer rack-and-pinion as well as a Yogi’s Inc. 5″ dropped front axle, hairpin radius rods, a parallel 4-link rear suspension, and QA1 adjustable coilovers at the rear. Stopping power is provided by Speedway Motors four-wheel disc brakes that incorporate General Motors-style metric calipers, a dual circuit master cylinder, an adjustable proportioning valve, and vented rotors with a 5×4.5 bolt pattern measuring 11″ up front and 11¼” out back.

The interior is trimmed in gray and tan cloth upholstery and features black carpeting, a B&M shifter, a ratchet-style parking brake, lap belts, and a spoon-style accelerator pedal

The rear rumble seat is trimmed in black vinyl upholstery and features lap belts and chrome grab handles. The battery is installed in the floor area and is linked to a remote charging terminal at the rear of the vehicle.

The wood-rimmed steering wheel is bolted to a polished stainless steel Speedway Motors steering column. Instrumentation consists of a barrel-type speedometer and a fuel level readout as well as aftermarket gauges for voltage, oil pressure, and coolant temperature. The five-digit mechanical odometer shows 18k miles, and true mileage is unknown. The speedometer and odometer are not functioning.

The 350ci Chevy V8 is fitted with an Edelbrock RPM intake manifold, a Summit Racing billet distributor, an MSD ignition coil, tubular hugger headers, and an Edelbrock Performer 600-CFM carburetor with an electric choke. The firewall has been replaced with a Summit Racing unit that features a 3″ setback. Cooling is handled by a Walker radiator and an electric fan.

Power is sent to the rear wheels through a TH400 three-speed automatic transmission and a Ford 9″ rear axle with a limited-slip differential and 3.50:1 gearing. A custom-fabricated dual exhaust system with glasspack mufflers and turn-down exits in front of the rear axle.

The car is titled in Oregon using the VIN RF7299, shown above.

Plymouth Power: The Best Performance Cars of Mopar’s Forgotten Brand

The Plymouth brand was introduced in 1928 as a low-cost manufacturer positioned below Dodge and Chrysler. It occupied that market position for decades up to the end of its lifespan. Plymouth has always been successful as its sales numbers were just behind Ford or Chevrolet. Plymouths were regarded as dependable and high-quality automobiles at affordable prices, which meant they appealed to a broad audience.

However, when muscle cars exploded on the American car scene, Plymouth realized it could be more than just an economy car company. It jumped on the performance bandwagon, using the best Mopar engines and delivering exciting cars to the public. Today, we’ll remember Plymouth’s best muscle cars. These vehicles became classics of the genre due to their style, power, speed, and even the fact that the company was no longer in business. Chrysler discontinued Plymouth in 2001, leaving the automotive world without one of its best performance brands. Let’s look back at just why that was the case.

Olympus Digital Camera
Photo Credit: Mecum

Plymouth Fury (1958)

Before the Fury was a separate model, it was an option on Belvedere. In 1958, this model benefited from Chrysler’s new Golden Commando engine. The mighty Hemi was gone but Chrysler didn’t abandon the performance market. The Golden Commando had 350 CID displacement, better equipment, and 305 hp (via How Stuff Works).

Plymouth Fury Sport Coupe
Photo Credit: Mopar

Plymouth even experimented with a fuel injection setup but the system proved very problematic. This caused the factory to compensate owners and give them a conventional four-barrel setup. If the fuel injection worked as it should, it would have produced up to 315 horsepower.

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