The Trans Am wasn’t yet the coolest kid on the Firebird block in the early ’70s, despite the car gaining popularity with every new release.
The best-selling Firebird version in 1973 was the Esprit, which accounted for 17,249 units of the 46,313 cars rolling off the assembly lines this year. The base Firebird was the runner-up with 14,096 units, followed in third place by the Formula. Only 4,802 Trans Ams got to see the daylight in 1973.
Most Firebirds left the factory with a V8 engine under the hood, and this is the case with the 1973 model in these pictures.
eBay seller octanevalley says they believe the original 350ci block is still in the car, and luckily, it comes with good news. The engine has already been rebuilt, albeit it’s unclear if it still runs today.
The VIN (2S87M3N132117) decodes to a 1973 Firebird with an M-code engine. It means the car was born with a 350ci Pontiac engine rated in 1973 at 150 horsepower. The output increased gradually in the next years, reaching 160 horsepower (same as in 1972) in 1976, its last year on the market. The V8 was fitted with a two-barrel carburetor and a single exhaust.
The most important tidbit about this Firebird is that a previous owner started its restoration but passed mid-process. This means the car has already received several repairs (including the rebuilt engine), but someone else will now have to do the rest. The Firebird was also painted in purple, but I doubt it’s the original color – buyers should inspect everything in person, especially if they are interested in an all-original Firebird.
It’s unclear what’s missing, but the seller claims the Firebird comes with GM fenders and door skins, so some parts you can’t see in the photos are available separately. The best way to determine if this Firebird should be your next project is to inspect it in person. It’s parked in Elizabeth, New Jersey, and you’ll need a trailer to take it home, considering its shape.
You’d probably expect a Firebird in this condition to be cheaper, especially because it’s a work-in-progress likely missing several parts and no longer featuring an all-original setup. However, the owner believes the car is worth $5,700, albeit they enabled the Make Offer option to discuss other deals with interested buyers. eBay’s statistics indicate that 44 people watch the listing, proving the Firebird remains an intriguing project for many diehard Pontiac fans.
Unfortunately, this Firebird can also serve as a donor for another Firebird, and it’d be a shame to see such a great car biting the dust. Time will tell if the vehicle will ever return to the road, but considering the listing expires in three weeks, you still have enough time to see it in person and decide what to do next.