Hello everyone, 1975 Trans Am

[rkellerjr]

Just found the site so thought I'd join. Here is my '75. I've done lots to her.

Here's a video I did prior to heading out to a charity event...

>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aR86YT69yeY

[[ChaosweaveR]]

Welcome to the site!

I'd love to know what's been done. Looks stock for the most part.

Any other plans?

[rkellerjr]

Motor is a '76 400 which I've rebuilt. .040 over, XE262 cam, forged pistons, roller tip rockers and some other small things. Tranny is a Turbo 350 w/shift kit, 3.23 pontiac rear end, Pro-Touring GT suspension kit w/sub fram connectors. New steering components and then some other odds and ends.

Next is re-doing the interior as she is starting to show her age.

[JUSTA6]

Awesome Bird...Welcome to FP.

[indymanjoe]

Is that a Red Bird? Nice car and welcome to FP!

[Ringo64]

Looks great!

[rkellerjr]

No, not a Redbird, it is a Trans Am painted red In order of muscle, the Trans Am was the top of the line. In pecking order....

Firebird Trans Am

Firebird Formula

Firebird Esprit

Redbird, Bluebird, Yellowbird

[Ghost]

welcome to FP!

[Young gun]

Welcome!

I'm curious as to those redbird and bluebird designations? Is that like the base trim level?

[rkellerjr]

No, those were made in an attempt to woo women into buying a firebird. Here's a Bluebird...

[Frosty]

rkellerjr is right havoc. The bluebird, yellowbird, and redbirds were aimed primarily at women. They were technically called Special Edition Firebird Esprits. The Special Edition Firebird Esprits were made from 1977 through 1980. They included the Sky Bird (1977-78) which is often referred to as the Blue Bird, the Red Bird (1978-79), and the Yellow Bird (1980). The Sky Bird, Red Bird, and Yellow Bird decals appeared on the sail panel of both B-pillars.

I have not seen a break down of the Firebird Espirit production numbers to know how many Skybirds and Yellowbirds were produced. However, it would appear that 4,248 Red Birds were produced in 1979, thus making this a rare special edition Firebird when 30,853 total Espirits and 211,454 total Firebirds were produced (includes base, Espirits, Trans Ams, Formulas, SE TAs, and 10th Annv. TAs). So the '79 Red Bird represents about 2% of all Firebirds made in '79.

I don't see any break out for Red Birds for 1978 either. I think it is fair to say that these 3 special editions probably represented less than 20% of total Espirit production. Total Espirit production from 77-80 was a total of 119,604 units. Total Espirit production accounted for just over 18% of total Firebird production between 77-80. So you can see how few were probably produced.

[Frosty]

BTW rkellejr

Great looking red Trans Am. Your 400 build sounds similar to the 455 build in my '72 Lemans.

Welcome aboard.

[Ringo64]

Saw a Skybird a while back that was for sale and at the time didn't know what it was but researched it later. Kind of a unique idea.