the firebird nest: my online garage

the firebird nest

my online garage

I’m the proud owner of a 1972 Pontiac Firebird model Esprit.

I feel the car is almost a member of the family, as I was only 4 years old when my folks brought it home brand new. They took good care of the car always garaging it and regularly servicing it. It was only driven locally, so the mileage is very low for a 35 year old car.

Vehicle specifications:

         Width: 73.4"
         Length: 191.6"
         Height: 50.4"
         Curb Weight: 3490 lbs
         Usable Luggage Capacity (cubic): 7.24'
         Engine Displacement (cubic): 350"
         Carb: 2-bbl
         Compression Ratio: 8.0
         Net RPM (HHP/Torque):
         	160@4400 175@4400 / 270@2000 275@2000
         Axle Ratio: 3.42:1

The Firebird recently turned 150,000 miles old.

My brother Gordon and I both drove the car during our high school days in the eighties. When I moved to Santa Cruz, California for college in 1987, I became the second owner of the car. I gave it a major overhaul including new paint, wheels and tires in 1987, a rebuilt transmission in 1991, and I had the engine rebuilt in 1996. In 2008 the Firebird received new carpet and a refurbished drivers seat.

These pictures are from 1987 shortly after the car was repainted.

I don’t drive it much these days, but it does get me and all my gear to and from band practice.

The Firebird Esprit is all stock except for the Camaro-style racing stripes and the Trans-Am spoiler. I added Pontiac Rally 2 wheels when it was re-feathered in 1987 — they were an original option back in 1972.

Over the years I have replaced the air conditioning, the heating core, the windshield, the brakes, and many other parts. I just fixed the muffler, I hope nothing else goes wrong for a while!

the firebird was “re-feathered” in 1987

OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASE: Monday, August 30, 1971

1972 PONTIAC LINE-UP
For 1972 the Pontiac model line-up ranges from the Grand Ville, the flagship of the division’s fleet, to the Ventura II, Pontiac’s mini full-sized car. All told, Pontiac offers a total of 32 models.

FIREBIRDS
Distinctive styling that includes a new grille protected by the energy-absorbing Endura bumper, a choice of suspensions, easy handling and top performance are blended into each of the four firebird models. Available as a two-door hardtop, the Standard, Esprit, Formula and Trans Am are built on a 108-inch wheelbase and measure 191.6 inches long, 73.4 inches wide and 50.4 inches high.

ESPRIT
The Luxury Esprit is equipped with the same soft-ride suspension system as the Standard model and includes the following: all decor moldings . . . consisting of bright roof drips, belt reveal and hood rear edge molding and wheel opening moldings . . . full-width aluminum rocker panel moldings, hidden windshield wipers, body colored outside mirrors, custom interior trim, custom cushion steering wheel, dual horns and the Esprit nameplate on the sail panels.

this front end is on firebirds from ’70 1/2 through ’73

My Firebird is one of 11,415 other Esprit models built during 1972 at GM’s plant in Norwood, Ohio.

         Total List Price (1/17/72): $4496.85
         Dealer: Doten Pontiac, Inc. (Oakland, Ca)
         Date Shipped: 1/6/72

         Standard Equipment (Esprit):
         	350 cu.in., 2-bbl. Engine
         	Front Disc, Rear Drum Brakes
         	Ashtray Lamp
         	Custom Trim Interior
         	Morrokide Bucket Seats
         	Instrument Panel Assist Strap
         	Trunk Mat
         	Nylon-blend, Loop-Pile Carpet
         	Upper-Level Ventilation
         	Concealed Windshield Wipers
         	Dual Horns
         	Endura Front Bumper
         	Body Colored Outside Mirrors
         	Left-Hand Mirror Remote Controlled
         	Roof Drip Moldings
         	Wheel Opening Moldings
         	Wide Rocker Panel Moldings
         	Windowsill Moldings and Hood Rear Edge Moldings

         Original Options:
         	Cardinal Red w/ Black Interior (N/C)
         	Turbo-Hydramatic ($215)
         	Radio-Stereo ($233)
         	Moldings, Vinyl Body Side ($31)
         	Soft Ray Glass, All Windows ($37)
         	California Test ($15)
         	F78X14 WW FG ($44)
         	Air Conditioner ($397)
         	Floor Mats ($13)
         	Mirror, Visor ($3),
         	Steering, Power, Variable-ratio ($113)
         	Rear Bumpergaurds ($15)

         After-market Additions:
         	14" Rally II Wheels w/Trim Rings 
         		(available as ’72 esprit option)
         	Trans Am Spoiler 
         		(available on ’72 trans am)
         	Repainted w/Stripes
         	Sheepskin Seat-covers

Here’s a few more pictures I took with my digital camera.

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