Author Topic: Is this 1979 V6 Firebird worth a restoration ?  (Read 8115 times)

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Offline ta78w72

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Re: Is this 1979 V6 Firebird worth a restoration ?
« Reply #15 on: May 14, 2007, 10:34:20 AM »
Get the VIN.  The second digit will tell you what model it is.  I assumed it was a base firebird or an Esprit from the picture and the fact that it has a six cyclinder engine. 

Go here to decode:
http://www.78ta.com/vin1979.htm

Offline Raptor

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Re: Is this 1979 V6 Firebird worth a restoration ?
« Reply #16 on: May 20, 2007, 03:56:56 PM »
Ok, so I just came back from here. The VIN number is 2T87A9N116890, so that means that it is a Firebird Esprit. The original color is gold but it's obviously been repainted several times (at least two, and the last was the worst).
The cowl data is hard to read, my bad I should have brought a metallic brush :
79 11A 2FS87 0149??
62B 50L 50U 64A L
A51 W67
TAN 4?0219

Overall, it's in good condition, but everything has to be redone :
- the paint is absolute crap, it's cracking and tearing. I wasn't planning to keep it so who cares.
- the body is in great shape, no bumps, no big rust but a few spots here and there and no bondo.
- several wires have been cut by some animal (in the engine cowl)
- the accelerator pedal doesn't work, it feels like the cable is broken or is not attached.
- the interior is good overall, but the carpet has been painted black...and the roof is falling into dust. The plastic covers on each sides of the back seats are in bad conditon. The steering wheel is sticky, is the black paint on it original ? All the rest is good.
- the headlights bezels have to be rechromed or replaced.
- there is a piece of metal under the rear bumper and behind the gas tank that is so rot that I don't know what it is.
- the trunk isn't bad, it's mostly a thin rust.
- the windshield is broken in two points
- I couldn't check for rust in the floor pans, there was too much tar and I couldn't see from behind.
1974 Firebird Formula 400 (T) project
1984 Firebird Trans Am HO L69 305ci (5.0L) V8

Offline Raptor

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Re: Is this 1979 V6 Firebird worth a restoration ?
« Reply #17 on: May 29, 2007, 03:28:01 PM »
Lots of "new" pictures (they were taken on the 20th) :

- Rear end : http://i206.photobucket.com/albums/bb308/Raptor3388/firebird_belgique_15.jpg
- Engine bay : http://i206.photobucket.com/albums/bb308/Raptor3388/firebird_belgique_16.jpg
- Interior : http://i206.photobucket.com/albums/bb308/Raptor3388/firebird_belgique_18.jpg
- Rust free quarter panel : http://i206.photobucket.com/albums/bb308/Raptor3388/firebird_belgique_19.jpg
- Right fender : http://i206.photobucket.com/albums/bb308/Raptor3388/firebird_belgique_20.jpg
- The car : http://i206.photobucket.com/albums/bb308/Raptor3388/firebird_belgique_21.jpg
- Front end : http://i206.photobucket.com/albums/bb308/Raptor3388/firebird_belgique_22.jpg
- This used to be a battery tray...one the few very rusty area : http://i206.photobucket.com/albums/bb308/Raptor3388/firebird_belgique_23.jpg
- Two rust holes on the cowl : http://i206.photobucket.com/albums/bb308/Raptor3388/firebird_belgique_24.jpg
- VIN plate : http://i206.photobucket.com/albums/bb308/Raptor3388/firebird_belgique_25.jpg
- Cowl data number : http://i206.photobucket.com/albums/bb308/Raptor3388/firebird_belgique_26.jpg
- Trunk : http://i206.photobucket.com/albums/bb308/Raptor3388/firebird_belgique_27.jpg
- Near the trunk seal : http://i206.photobucket.com/albums/bb308/Raptor3388/firebird_belgique_28.jpg
- Engine : http://i206.photobucket.com/albums/bb308/Raptor3388/firebird_belgique_29.jpg
- Engine close-up : http://i206.photobucket.com/albums/bb308/Raptor3388/firebird_belgique_30.jpg
- Door handle painted silver... : http://i206.photobucket.com/albums/bb308/Raptor3388/firebird_belgique_31.jpg
- The disconnected accelerator pedal, unfortunately we can't see the cable : http://i206.photobucket.com/albums/bb308/Raptor3388/firebird_belgique_32.jpg
- The fuse box : http://i206.photobucket.com/albums/bb308/Raptor3388/firebird_belgique_33.jpg
- No rust on the rear glass area : http://i206.photobucket.com/albums/bb308/Raptor3388/firebird_belgique_34.jpg


« Last Edit: May 29, 2007, 03:29:51 PM by Raptor »
1974 Firebird Formula 400 (T) project
1984 Firebird Trans Am HO L69 305ci (5.0L) V8

Offline 79TA

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Re: Is this 1979 V6 Firebird worth a restoration ?
« Reply #18 on: June 01, 2007, 03:57:44 AM »
I'd really look for something cleaner.  I know availability and prices are different in Europe but my neighbor down the street just sold an immaculate (it was CLEAN!) 78 Firebird with a 305 for 4,000 dollars.  On the note of engines, don't expect much from any of the post 76 engines unless it's a 400 or 403.  My Trans Am has gotten as much as 18 mpg with an olds 403 and 2.73 gears in the rear.  However, I usually get a little over 16 mpg. 

Then again, if they're that rare in Europe, that might be your best option.  If so, you may try to get a slightly lower price.  Good luck searching.