Lot number | 174 |
---|---|
Hammer value | N/S (est. £4,000 - £5,000) |
Description | Pontiac Firebird |
Registration | B10 AAD |
Year | 1991 |
Colour | Silver Blue Metalllic |
Engine size | 4,999 cc |
Chassis No. | 1G2FS23E9ML242155 |
Engine No. | N/A |
By the early part of the 20th Century, most significant American motor manufacturers had became absorbed by the ‘big three’ – Ford, GM or Chrysler. Within each group, there has remained a healthy inter-brand rivalry, each marque trying to out-do their immediate cousins.
From the early ‘60s onwards, Pontiac fancied a slice of the performance car market, their strict parents pulling in the reins so they didn’t end up competing head-on with the likes of the Chevrolet Corvette. They did however sanction a ‘Pony car' equivalent to Ford’s modestly proportioned Mustang in the shape of the Firebird - a gorgeous ‘coke-bottle’ shaped late 1960s pin-up that sold like hot cakes, taking full advantage of the halo effect from the full sized GTO.
Replaced by the iconic Generation 2 Firebird in 1970 (you may remember James Garner driving his in The Rockford Files or Burt Reynolds causing mayhem in his Firebird Trans Am in Smokey and the Bandit) the third generation arrived in 1982, making its film debut as KITT (the intelligent talking car) in the hit TV show Knightrider.
Shorter and neater in appearance than its predecessors, they were one of the first of a new generation of American cars designed with more than a nod towards fuel economy, managing an unprecedented 25 miles on a rather modest-sized US gallon of petrol.
This well cared for Gen 3 Firebird was purchased new by the vendor through the GM US Military Sales Scheme. It’s US Navy Veteran owner collected the car on behalf of his British wife from Goode Taylor Pontiac based in Dallas Texas. They enjoyed a two month tour of the States before returning the car to the UK through Upper Heyford Airbase.
Ordered in Silver Blue Metallic with grey ‘Pallex’ cloth upholstery, it came with the excellent Chevrolet-based 305cu.in (5.0-litre) V8 which developed a lazy 170bhp and was specified with the 5-speed manual box which was felt to be more suited to the UK’s roads.
Planning for hot days in rural Gloucestershire, they selected option C60 (air conditioning), but being realistic about the UK weather also ticked option C49 (electric rear window defogger) – covering all bases! Maintained since its arrival in the UK by American car-friendly motor engineers, it has wanted for nothing, but has latterly become a bit too ‘racy’ for its now elderly owner.
With just 57,000 miles on the clock, it will be driven around 50 miles to the sale and is MOTd through to June 2016. The vendor advises that everything is in working order, although the air conditioning could do with a recharge to blow ‘ice cold’.
This fine example, which is barely run-in looks like a huge amount car for a very modest outlay. It also comes with a good BAAD number plate!