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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.
Did you hear the one about the guy who got rich investing in Bandit T/A’s?
Me neither.
Never was a “Smokey and The Bandit” fan but I understand the allure of the 1977 Trans Am. The KING for me will always be the1970 Trans Am 455 HO or the 1971/72 Trans Am 455 SD………….both with the M-22 4-Spd. These Trans Am’s in either blue with white stripes or white with blue stripes and the front, rear and side aero kit is one incredible looking muscle car that never got it’s due.
I bought an authentic 69 Firebird 350 HO Convertible, a truly underrated car. I have spent $$$$ on a rotisserie restoration. It is loaded with many options(no A/C). It’s a rocket even with an open diff. 300HP at the wheels through factory long branch headers and 2.5 inch dual exhaust.
Six years ago I found a numbers matching ’69 Firebird 400/4sp with factory AC. I checked the numbers with PHS, but unfortunately, failed to have the car checked by a body shop. It turned out to have significant well hidden rust (artfully covered up). It’s been in restification for four years now. I finally took it to a body shop that will actually do some work, so I hope to have it back on the road soon. I love the car and felt like it was worth it to repair all of the rust and repaint it.
My daughter has a friend whose father just restored a 1968 RA 2 Firebird Convertible he bought new. One rare Bird that likely will never see the auction block. I’ve been meaning to ask him if he ever ran a PHS report to find out just how many were built. My guess is single digits.
Although it will likely never make this list, I’ve been enjoying my 1869 Firebird Sprint convertible since 1984. It’s 4.1Litre Overhead Cam Six coupled with its original 4-speed is a joy to drive. This was purportedly John DeLorean’s effort to create an “American XKE”.
There were only 267 of these built originally and I doubt I’ve seen a dozen advertised since.
Thanks for recognizing Firebirds!
Yes, it was PHS verified
In late1971 a friend factory ordered a new ’72 455 HO Trans Am with a four speed, blue with white stripes, (most were white with blue stripes), a white interior, honeycomb rims and factory A/C. Due to the strike at GM only built 1286 Trans Ams, and only 458 were four speeds. How many sticks had air? Would be high $’s now.
We put it on a dyno, and it made 330 horses at the rear wheels! Highly underrated by GM. We took it to the strip and it was quicker that 2 Super Duty’s there that day. Later on we added headers and a cam. It was a beast!