Nick Winter Posted January 3, 2010 Share Posted January 3, 2010 (edited) I'm a big F body Pontiac fan, the '75-'81 body style being my favorite, And There were 6 options in F body Pontiacs: 1977 Model year Model Base model Firebird V6- $4269- production 30,642 both V6 & V8 Base model Firebird V6- $4334 Firebird Esprit V6- $4550- production 34,548 both V6 & V8 Firebird Esprit V8- $4615 Firebird Formula- $4976- production 21,801 Trans Am- $5456- production 68,745 Options 301-cid V-8 $65 350-cid four-barrel V-8 (Firebird) $155 350-cid four-barrel V-8 (Formula) $90 400-cid four-barrel V-8 (Formula) $155 - $205 400-cid four-barrel V-8 (Trans Am) $50 Four-speed manual transmission (Firebird) $257 Turbo-Hydra-Matic $248 Safe-T-Track differential $54 Rally RTS handling package $46 - $116 Heavy-duty battery $16 - $18 Maintenance-free battery $31 Heavy-duty alternator $45 Engine block heater $12 - $13 Esprit Skybird appearance package $325 - $342 Trans Am Special Edition $556 - $1143 Firebird custom trim group $27 - $118 Formula appearance package $127 Air conditioning $442 - $540 Cruise control $80 - $84 Power windows $108 - $151 Glass sunroof $587 Canopy top $105 Rear spoiler $51 Introduced Sept. 30, 1976 1978 Model Year Model Base model Firebird V6- $4545- production 32,672 both V6 & V8 Base model Firebird V8- $4695 Esprit V6- $4842- production 36,926 both V6 & V8 Esprit V8- $4992 Formula- $5448- production 24,346 Trans Am- $5799- production 93,341 Options 305-cid four-barrel V-8 $150 350-cid four-barrel V-8 (Firebird) $265 350-cid four-barrel V-8 (Formula) $115 400-cid four-barrel V-8 (Formula) $280 403-cid four-barrel V-8 (Formula) $205 Four-speed manual floor shift transmission $125 Four-speed manual floor shift transmission $182 credit Turbo-Hydra-Matic transmission $270 Turbo-Hydra-Matic transmission N/C Safe-T-Track differential $60 Power brakes $60 Heavy-duty alternator $31 Engine block heater $13 Esprit "Skybird" appearance package $426 - $461 Trans Am special edition $1259 Firebird custom trim group $35 - $154 Formula appearance package $137 Trans Am special performance package $249 - $324 Air conditioning $470 - $581 Cruise control $90 - $95 Power windows $118 - $190 Hatch roof $625 Canopy top $111 Introduced Oct. 6, 1977 I've all ready built a '77 Trans am and a '78 Firebird Esprit V8, so that leaves a '78 Firebird formula and a '77 Base model V8 Edited January 7, 2010 by Dukefan69' Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nick Winter Posted January 3, 2010 Author Share Posted January 3, 2010 forgot pictures '77/'78 Base models Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nick Winter Posted January 3, 2010 Author Share Posted January 3, 2010 '77/'78 Formula Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Casey Posted January 4, 2010 Share Posted January 4, 2010 I see a Redbird but no Skybird? Do you have Michael Lamm's excellent book, "The Fabulous Firebird"? Lots of pics, behind the scenes info, and enough facts and specs to please even the most avid F-body nut. Perhaps my second favorite Formula ever, a '76: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nick Winter Posted January 4, 2010 Author Share Posted January 4, 2010 I do have his book, and funny enough my cousin Ted has a '76 Firebird Formula that's white with blue graphics. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Murphy's Law Posted January 4, 2010 Share Posted January 4, 2010 A really good site on Firebirds here. And one on the "Ladybirds." I didn't make up the name, I swear. Enjoy! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MyBradKeselowski Posted January 4, 2010 Share Posted January 4, 2010 Dukefan69, you could also get the WS6 package on the 78 Trans Am. My stepsister had a 78 Trans Am (blue) with the WS6. Just thought I would point it out,didn't know if you included it in your packages... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Casey Posted January 4, 2010 Share Posted January 4, 2010 And one on the "Ladybirds." I didn't make up the name, I swear. Ooooh, excellent 'site, thanks! The Yellow Bord is so ugly I think I like it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nick Winter Posted January 4, 2010 Author Share Posted January 4, 2010 Chris: Thanks the WWW.78TA.com site I've been on a few times but until keith marks comes out with Yellow Bird, Sky bird or Red bird decals I won't be building any of them. and thanks guys Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nick Winter Posted January 6, 2010 Author Share Posted January 6, 2010 Well it was almost unamous with: '77 Base Model Firebird v8- 4 '78 Firebird Forula- 22 So time to dig the kit out and start body working her, got a order in to Keith for the '76 Formula decals which "will" fit my '78 kit. Also need to pick some options. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nick Winter Posted January 6, 2010 Author Share Posted January 6, 2010 Well here be my options first we start with a base model, then order the U97 Package for $137, now we have us a Formula. Other Added options include, 403CI olds engine for $205 power brakes for $60 heavy-duty alternator for $31 A/C for $581 power windows for $190 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nick Winter Posted January 6, 2010 Author Share Posted January 6, 2010 dug out my kit, found that there was no glass, found another set of rallyes like on jim's car Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Custom Hearse Posted January 7, 2010 Share Posted January 7, 2010 Other Added options include, 403CI olds engine for $205 Sounds like you've got a heck of a build idea going! Not to criticize Nick, but the Oldsmobile engine was not very good. The Pontiac engine was much better, and was a better built powerplant. If you decide to build the Olds, that would be cool though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nick Winter Posted January 7, 2010 Author Share Posted January 7, 2010 Sounds like you've got a heck of a build idea going! Not to criticize Nick, but the Oldsmobile engine was not very good. The Pontiac engine was much better, and was a better built powerplant. If you decide to build the Olds, that would be cool though. Thanks Marshal, the reason I chose the Olds 403 is that I have 2 Pontiac F bodies with 400's in them, my Base model and '76 Jimmy's Bird will have 350's Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
disabled modeler Posted January 7, 2010 Share Posted January 7, 2010 Im with Marshal on the engine opinion, there wasnt a olds powered TA in town that could take mine with the 400 cid.4bb auto. i even went up against a turbo TA and beat it.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nick Winter Posted January 7, 2010 Author Share Posted January 7, 2010 Im with Marshal on the engine opinion, there wasnt a olds powered TA in town that could take mine with the 400 cid.4bb auto. i even went up against a turbo TA and beat it.... Like I said in my above post I don't want 3 F boies with 400's and 2 with 350's, I'd rather 2 350's, 2 400's and a olds 403 final poll count Snow flake wheels 5 votes Rallye wheels 8 votes #75 Mayan Red 7 votes #51 Sundance Yellow 2 votes #11 Cameo White 1 vote Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nick Winter Posted January 20, 2010 Author Share Posted January 20, 2010 Well folks, I've got another kit so I'll be doing 2 tutorials and building them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nick Winter Posted January 22, 2010 Author Share Posted January 22, 2010 well so far so good, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nick Winter Posted January 22, 2010 Author Share Posted January 22, 2010 This is my inspiration,(if you notice the interior color) here's another car with many of the same features Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
charlie8575 Posted January 29, 2010 Share Posted January 29, 2010 You picked a nice car to pattern your model after, Nick. The results you achieve with your builds speaks well of your skills, too. I'll enjoy watching this come together. Charlie Larkin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChrisPflug Posted January 29, 2010 Share Posted January 29, 2010 Great looking Firebird! Not to hijack- but if you want to go with an Olds engine the AMT '69 442 is nice and has a separate bellhousing. Even though it's meant to represent a big block 455, it seems to make a passable 403 small block. I'm working on a '79 Anniversary T/A, the interior tub was molded for an automatic trans, so the only "proper" powertrain choice was the 403/ THM 350 (the few Pontiac 400s were reserved for 4-speed duty on the '79). I ended up adding part of the '69 Olds bellhousing to an MPC Turbo 350 to get a "BOP" pattern automatic Also, by this time A/C was almost universal on these cars, and an A/C system quick and easy to add. Small block Oldsmobiles since the early 70s have used a lame exhaust with a small crossover pipe connecting the driver side manifold to the passenger then a second flange to the exhaust system- works all right for a nice, quiet '78 98 Regency but the Firebird definitely would benefit from a set of headers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Corvette.Jeff Posted January 29, 2010 Share Posted January 29, 2010 Hey nick, i love f bodys as well, we used to have a 95' camaro and man would that thing fly heres a little photo tip, try turning the flash off i took photography in school,im just trying to help Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
charlie8575 Posted January 29, 2010 Share Posted January 29, 2010 Not to hijack- but if you want to go with an Olds engine the AMT '69 442 is nice and has a separate bellhousing. Even though it's meant to represent a big block 455, it seems to make a passable 403 small block. There's very little difference between a small a big-block Olds. The big-blocks had a slightly higher deck surface (top of the cylinder banks,) which allowed for a longer stroke. The difference is unnoticable in 1/25. Charlie Larkin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nick Winter Posted January 29, 2010 Author Share Posted January 29, 2010 Hey nick, i love f bodys as well, we used to have a 95' camaro and man would that thing fly heres a little photo tip, try turning the flash off i took photography in school,im just trying to help thanks guys, I don't have problems with pictures, but my camera was dying right there, and is toast now, so I'm saving my nickles too replace it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MyBradKeselowski Posted January 30, 2010 Share Posted January 30, 2010 You're off to a good start. I like the addition of the A/C hookup to the engine... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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