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The 8 Priciest Firebirds Ever Sold at Auction
When it comes to big-ticket pony cars, aluminum big-blocks and Hemis bring eye-watering prices. But what if your favorite pony car brand never built a hemispherical V-8 or a big-block? Pontiac fans have long known that Mustangs, Camaros, and Cudas tend to get all the pony car glory, along with the bidding wars that come along with it, and that’s fine. There’s something to be said about being the underdog, especially when you’ve got Pontiac V-8s in your corner. Still, there have been plenty of powerful and beautiful Firebirds that drive collectors to bidding wars. Here are eight Firebirds that have brought the highest auction prices so far.
Honorable mention: The first two 1967 Firebirds built, VIN 001, a convertible, and VIN 002, a coupe, were sold together for a total price of $330,000. That’s enough to make the list on dollar value alone, but not when that price is divided between two cars.
1977 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am Special Edition
Sold at Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale 2016 for $550,000
It should come as no surprise that the highest price paid at auction for a Firebird was for a Trans Am associated with Smokey and the Bandit. The images of Burt Reynolds as Bandit 1, jumping creeks, tearing over medians, and power-sliding around dirt roads made the film synonymous with the black and gold special edition Trans Am models that served as the four-wheeled stars of the films.
This car traveled to promote the movie during its theatrical run. It has since received a full restoration while maintaining its original powertrain. Burt Reynolds was on hand for the sale of this car, which he autographed, in 2016.
1977 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am Special Edition
Sold at Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale 2022 for $495,000
This well-optioned film promotion car came with air conditioning, T-tops, and a 180hp 400-cubic-inch Pontiac V-8 engine backed by a Turbo 400 automatic transmission. It was outfitted to Smokey and the Bandit specs, including the CB radio. After the massive success of the film, it was gifted to Burt Reynolds himself as a thank you. Reynolds owned the car until 2014. In 2015, the car was restored, and care was taken to leave a bit of its patina, as the sill plates, scuffed by Reynolds’ cowboy boots, were left in place along with the original hand-painted “Bandit” lettering on the top of each door.
1977 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am Special Edition
Sold at Mecum Harrisburg 2022 for $440,000
Unlike the two previous 1977 Trans Ams, this one doesn’t have any direct connection to the film other than its unmistakable appearance. What sets this one apart is that it’s not restored; it’s all original, all the way down to the tires. With just 14 miles on the odometer, this is probably the best-preserved Trans Am Special Edition in existence. It still features the original interior with gold-anodized trim, the original door sills, which have been taped up for protection, and its Hurst glass T-tops.
1969 Pontiac Trans Am Ram Air IV
Sold at Mecum Kissimmee 2023 for $440,000
One of just 55 Trans Ams built in its inaugural year with the Ram Air IV V-8, this well-equipped example underwent a thorough restoration. Plenty of these high-performance machines were driven hard and, as such, this is one of an estimated six that includes its original Ram Air IV drivetrain. The 400 underhood is matched with a close-ratio, four-speed manual transmission and a 3.90:1 limited-slip rear differential.
1969 Pontiac Trans Am Ram Air IV
Sold at Mecum Indy 2022 for $385,000
Sold at Mecum Indy 2024 for $357,500
A 345-horsepower Ram Air IV engine makes any Pontiac special, but a 1969 Trans Am with an automatic transmission is a real rarity. Just nine were built in this configuration. While a four-speed manual usually brings a serious premium when it comes to sports cars and muscle cars, the Ram Air IV exclusivity doesn’t really discriminate. This gorgeous Trans Am was the recipient of a full restoration and had just 85 miles on the odometer since it was pieced back together. Its two sales, two years apart, were each high enough to rank on the list.
1969 Pontiac Firebird
Sold at Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale 2025 for $330,000
This highly customized Firebird is the first car from BBT Fabrications ever to be sold at auction, and buyers were eager to snap it up. It rides on a Roadster Shop chassis with an independent rear suspension and a host of hand-fabricated parts and panels that gave it a refreshed look without removing the Firebird’s signature styling cues.
An all-aluminum, 482-cubic-inch Pontiac V-8 from Butler Performance would normally be enough engine for most enthusiasts, but that was just the start for this beast, as it also features a pair of Precision 68mm turbochargers. Not only was it the 2023 Barrett-Jackson Cup Best in Show and 2022 Goodguys Street Machine of the Year winner, it also competed in the East Coast Timing Association’s standing mile event, where it ran more than 200mph! A melding of Pro Touring and Pro Modified like this one, built to one person’s exact specifications, can often be a tough sell at auction. We’ve seen restomods bring big money at Barrett-Jackson events in the past, so it proves the right build can bring the bids.
1973 Pontiac Trans Am Super Duty
Sold at Mecum Indy 2004 for $286,000
In an act of supreme injustice, Pontiac only offered Brewster Green for one year. Seven buyers were wise enough to order a four-speed, 455 Super Duty Trans Am that also happened to be painted that heavenly hue. Besides the color, what makes this car so special is its powertrain. The Super Duty 455 used a four-bolt block reinforced with more cast iron in the lifter valley, round-port cylinder heads, and forged rods and pistons. Despite reduced compression ratios that followed the horsepower heyday of the late ‘60s, the SD 455 managed a respectable 290 horsepower and 390 lb-ft of torque, helping to keep the muscle car era alive just a bit longer.
This rare bird was stored for ages and was carefully restored by S & L Classics in 2009.
1969 Pontiac Firebird Ram Air IV Convertible
Sold at RM Sotheby’s 2010 Milton Robson Collection for $286,000
The Ram Air IV engine was more plentiful in Firebirds than in the striped white Trans Ams, yet only 17 convertibles were fitted with the potent powerplant. The combination of dark blue with parchment interior and top, set off by Rally wheels, makes for a stunning impact. The 345-horse V-8 mated to a four-speed manual makes it a whole lot of fun. This car came with documentation from the Pontiac Historical Society to accompany its wonderful restoration.
I own a1969 Pontiac FIrebird 400 with 4 speed manual transmission. This is car is original and is numbers matching. The car has only 46,000 miles on it and it. I rebuilt the motor to original specifications 1,000 miles ago. Is it smart to resto mode this car for value purposes?
Depends on what it needs. If it is in prime condition leave it alone.
Now if you have rust or things that are deteriorating then fix them.
Unless it is a Ram Air car it will have good value but not these numbers here. SD and RA are where the money is.
Keep in mind the difference between Pontiac cars is like this. a 326 Bird hold good but no major value.
A 400 model can add to the value but not a mega rich car as there were a number of them made.
Now if you get into a Ram Air 2 they were rare. Many were race cars so they can be found pretty original. Also Demand for these are like a Hemi at Chrysler.
Same on like a 421 car. The SD adds to it and the more performance parts that are original play a big role.
Like stated below mods are fine but to hedge your investment make sure you can return it to original if the car is in good condition. You never know a 400 non Ram Air may take off even more someday. The public is never predictable.
Also do not get mixed up on rare. Generally rare cars in the Pontiac line are below 1000 made. Cars like a 69 TA is a true rare car. Even more so the convertible.
3500 cars is low volume but not exactly rare and unless their is massive demand will it affect prices.
Cars documented by Pontiac Historical with specific options also is good.
I worked on a very rare firebird convertible years ago. I went to put in a clutch in. IT WAS A 400 3 speed manual. It even had a factory Hurst shifter. Even more rare was it has a FOMOCO 3 speed from Ford. GM had a fire and had to use the FOMOCO tranny for a short while. Odd bird but not one that adds value.
The RAT303 Ford trans was the base manual transmission for GTO’s and would think it extended to Firebirds with the 400. It was stronger than the Saginaw.
Many chose to upgrade to the Muncie 4 speed, either at initial purchase or later (it was a simple swap). With the gear spacing and torque of the bigger motor it was a nice package.
The Ford transmission was likely more common than most realize, although over time many were swapped out. It would be interesting to know the mix of 3 vs. 4 speed cars that were built. Especially since a few packages used the 4 speed as a mandatory option.
I resto-modded a lightly damaged ’69 convertible, not intending to flip. Didn’t like the Mayfair Maize over Parchment treatment so went over-the-top with a 2-tone House of Kolors featuring Kameleon Red to Gold below the beltline. The many, many other improvements l made produced a great looking (to me), handling, and riding car using pump gas. It now resides a couple states away , hopefully as or more enjoyed than the house it’s sale helped me purchase. Not a great return, but as noted, no R/A, nary an original 400, no T/A, and l actually painted over it’s greastest attribute, a special order color…color drives $. “Smart” to me would be keep it as original as desired from a value standpoint, but if you enjoy driving a better version of it, save the original bits.
Only do things that are reversable. Upgraded brakes and stuff you can’t see are OK. A car is only original once.
If your car is in good/great driving condition as is, if it were mine i’d leave it alone. A good original condition car will always have a wider buyer pool than a restomodded car. If it needs a little work to get more drivable/reliable, that might be a good move, but otherwise, just keep it as is. Reversable stuff like upgrading the suspension a little or adding rear discs won’t ever bother anyone but show circuit snobs.
My guess is as a general rule, no restomod ever sells for anything close to the cost of the build, especially if a name brand shop touched it. Plus if you do something like the kindig “chebby carve out” where a nice driving car is stripped to an empty shell, pack it with an LS/automagic then smattered with billet, you’ve converted your car from being a timeless classic to a trendy restomod that will look dated in a few years.
You’ll never get your money back on a restomod unless two drunk guys at the auction are in an auction paddle measuring contest.
Long story long, keep your Firebird looking great and enjoy it is what I’d do.
If “for value purposes” you mean to make money then long term the “smart” thing to do is sell it and invest the proceeds in the S&P500.
Putting $50-100k++ into resto modding, restoring, whatever you want to call it would be the opposite of smart.
Please don’t – your car is very desirable as is and always will be. Resto mods are a fad that will come & go just like the pro-street fad that came & went.
Article suggestion: “What Might Have Been-Unicorn option combinations that were never ordered”. An opportunity to muse over what could have been ordered but never was.
A car with a 3 speed and big block ? Column shift automatic
These Burt cars are really miss represented.
They would take these cars and restore them then title them in Burt’s name. He only owned them on paper.
The second one here smells. It is a 1977. Burt was promised a Trans Am and he never got it. So he called Pontiac months later and was granted a new TA. But it was a 1978 as the 77 was out of production.
That car was owned and used by Burt Inyo the I-‘see and he gifted it to his assistant. It was later bought at an auction in Colorado and the owner of National Parts Depot found it had paper work to Burt.
They took the car to Florida and it was restored. They took it to Burt and he looked it over and confirmed it was the gifted to him and it was his car from Pontiac.
To this point this is the true Bandit car that is accurately documented.
It is in their collection and likely will not be sold anytime soon by the family. It is in their extensive collection of cars.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FwOBEXgc4-U
Beware many fake cars are out there or cars with very loose definitions of ownership are offered.
Burt needed money and there may be 6-12 trans Ams claiming his ownership.
He also endorsed some tuner Trans Am that don’t claim his ownership and they are well done.
Next time your drunk uncle makes the “stick shifts are anti theft devices LOL” comment, remind that goony bird how few of his favorite muscle cars were optioned with the big engine and a stick.
Most corvettes in the 0’s came with an automatic. No surprise to me that most of these high end cars came with a slush box.
I am an uncle, occasionally a drunken one, and ALL of my favorite muscle cars were optioned with a big block and a stick. Exactly NONE of my favorites were automatics if a manual was available no matter the engine.
The smokey cars are a bit too much but they are a classic look. Not surprised they were the top 3 spots as it seems everyone tries to make a smokey replica. The ’69 cars on the list do not surprise me. Very desirable to me but that green ’73 is gorgeous. The front on that ’69 BBT restomod is just awful.
Brewster Green & Buccaneer Red were gorgeous colours for ’73’s
I’m surprised so few green Trans Ams were ordered. I thought John Wayne did a great job popularizing that colour in the film ‘McQ’.
I thought so, too. That’s why I checked off the option list and bought the 1973 Brewster Green/deluxe saddle brown Trans Am I still have today.
The car I love is the 455 SD Formula. Few were made and it was a plain bird with a Shaker. I see one at the Pontiac Nats and it is really a rare car.
Fast & Loud did a quick refurbishment on 2 first year Firebirds (the first 2 in the production run).
As I recall the pair was sold at an auction for $400K.
Was that a legitimate sale or something for the show.
I wonder where the Knight Rider car falls on the list?
I used to own a K-Car convertible that was owned by Jon Vaught
My K-car convertible was in Planes, Trains and Automobiles. Lucky for me it all buffed out!
Jon or John ?? : )
I owned 4 (none of this caliber). First, a ’79 Esprit with a dog of a 301 2bbl. I remember losing to a Volvo 240D…wagon.. with that car. Ran great though and looked sharp in Irid blue and Rally 2s.
Next up was a Sierra Copper/black ’79 Formula. At least that car had a little oomph with the L code 350 4bbl. It also had snowflakes with wide rwl meats. It looked and sounded the part.
Then came my first thirdgen, a red/silver ’85 Trans Am. That was saddled with an LG4/auto, but it had t-tops and the custom interior option. A lot of cruising happened in that car.
Finally, the best for last was my ’90 Formula. With the 5.0 TPI and 5 speed manual, it was pretty quick. It was black with the two tone delete and had the black mesh GTA wheels (I added). I threw a lot of bolt ons on that car to keep up with the LX 5.0 guys at the time. To this day, the most fun car I owned.
Thanks for letting me trip.
What about the 1969 Trans Am convertible? I thought there were only 6 built and a beautifully restored one sold for more than a million dollars.
There were 8 built and, yeah, I heard also that at least one had sold for, like, a million bucks or more.
I had just graduated from college and finally was able to buy my long awaited new car in September 1972. I tried to order my Brewster Green/Saddle SD-455 TA (4 speed, of course), but the UAW was on strike and Pontiac said at the time there was no guarantee that any SD-455 would be made that year or even any TA’s.
I finally settled on a Brewster/Saddle 455 Grand Am which was a beautiful car, way ahead of it’s time, but it wasn’t a TA.
It is probably just as well since it was a daily driver that I put 125K miles on and which sat out in the snow in Wisconsin while I obtained my graduate degree.
“Magnum wheels”…..???
Good catch, we are going to change that to Rally wheels.
This modified ’78 TA just sold on BAT for $285,000 this past weekend. https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1978-pontiac-firebird-trans-am-54/