Ground Up Built Pro-Touring Firebird 644hp 427ci LS7 V8 Auto Detroit Speed Susp.

While the mighty Trans Am is regarded as one of Detroit's most legendary pony car powerhouses, you certainly didn't need stripes and Screamin' Chicken decals to have a crazy cool, and crazy fast, Pontiac performer. The brand's 'basic' Firebirds were quick and comfortable cruisers that tastefully tempered old school Pontiac Excitement into something a bit less, shall we say, ostentatious? And that agreeable intersection of form and function was exactly the inspiration for this awesome Firebird pro-touring build; except with the function dial twisted all the way to 11! Draping familiar Buccaneer Red two-stage over proven Detroit Speed bones and a hot Mast Motorsports Black Label LS7, this professionally built beast is the kind of classic that delivers on EVERY level. And if you're a hardcore muscle car enthusiast who's searching for an excellent combination of show and go, well, to borrow a line from Pontiac, 'it's the beginning of your tomorrow'!

'RED BIRD'

The product of a professional, no-expense-spared build, this factory Firebird Esprit is founded on solid sheetmetal that was completely stripped, carefully massaged and married to fresh Detroit Speed mini tubs. Not surprisingly, every seam on this Main Street king has been aligned to better-than-factory fit. Its panels reflect a vivid barrage of Buccaneer Red two-stage that was borrowed straight from the excitement division's 1973 Trans Am palette. And today, 'Red Bird' rolls as one very impressive classic that looks right at home reflecting summertime car shows!

The early 1970s were a defining period for Pontiac's fabled Firebird. Sales were slow and new 'low speed' crash mandates required that the car either be completely redesigned or jump on the bandwagon of hideous and hastily done nose jobs that were creeping into every automaker's showroom. GM adamantly refused to spend money on a redesign because of low sales. So, Pontiac assembled a talented engineering staff that managed to blend both functionality and style into the now iconic profile you see here. At the front of that profile, a shaved Endura Bumper hangs a dramatic rendition of Pontiac's familiar two-piece grille between stainless-trimmed headlights, a small spoiler and stylish 'gunsight' parking lamps. Behind that grille, an attractive Formula Hood flies subtle “RAM AIR VII” banners that hint at the car's beastly Mast Motorsports small block. A stainless-trimmed greenhouse, cleared by Detroit Speed wipers, casts smoked reflections in factory mirrors. Second-generation Firebird specific side panels center polished door handles between crisp markers, 1970 Trans Am wheel spoilers and 1969 Trans Am fender louvers. And at the back of the car, a mirrored bumper bends under a fourth spoiler, bright “PONTIAC” lettering and stainless-trimmed taillights.

RAM AIR VII

Hoist this coupe's vented hood and you'll find a full seven liters of legendary LS glory! Bolted together by the good folks at Texas's Mast Motorsports, that brutal mill utilizes a lightweight LS7 block to twist stout 11.4 to 1 compression into an impressive 644 horsepower and a stout 550 lb./ft. of torque. At the top of the all-aluminum beast, a remote Spectre filter feeds a polished air tube, which fronts a proven GM throttle body. That box, cinched to a trick Holley elbow by way of a custom adaptor plate, drops breeze through a Chevrolet Performance LS7 4-Barrel Intake that's lined with Mast Black Label fuel rails. That lightweight intake feeds CNC-ed Mast Black Label heads that are finished with stainless valves, nitrided springs and smooth roller rockers. Beneath those heads, a forged Callies crank spins Callies H-beam rods and Mahle alloy pistons at the sides of a hot Mast LS7 427 SS cam. Factory coils, artfully relocated to resemble and old school distributor, fire loomed and sleeved MSD Super Conductor plug wires. Cooling comes courtesy of a big C&R Racing radiator and dual electric puller fans. A billet serpentine drive spins GM power steering beneath a Sanden AC compressor and a GM alternator. A rhythmic symphony of octane-fueled growls pulses through Detroit Speed custom stainless headers. And details like polished caps, polished valve covers, a trick dipstick and a quality Summit Racing fuel pressure gauge add both form and function.

TRANS AM TENDENCIES

Park this Poncho on a lift and you'll find solid floorpans that frame modern aftermarket components in a subdued coat of Satin Black skin. A proven TCI 6x 4L80E 6-speed, propped on a tough G Force Performance crossmember, spins power through a carbon fiber Driveshaft Shop driveshaft. That tube twists a Moser 9-inch pumpkin, which cages big, 3.89 gears and a Wavetrac limited-slip differential between billet ends and 35-spline axles. Those axles push a Detroit Speed QUADRALink rear-clip. Detroit Speed power rack-and-pinion steering leads a Detroit Speed hydroformed front-clip. Quick stops are a cinch thanks to big Baer binders, which squeeze 20 pistons around a quartet of drilled and slotted rotors. Exhaust tone stays joyfully aggressive thanks to custom stainless pipes, which join an X-shaped crossover with polished MagnaFlow mufflers and polished stainless dumps. A Detroit Speed Super 1000 fuel tank plays well with VaporWorx delivery. Bolt-on subframe connectors add strength and stability. And at the corners, retro looking US Mags Bandits, cut to custom widths by the folks at MHT, spin 275/35ZR18 Nitto NT555 Extreme ZRs in front of 335/30ZR18 Nitto NT555R Extreme Drags.

ESPRIT PLUS

Open this F-Body's long doors and you'll find an attractive Black interior that's blessed with just the right amount of modification. Slender Recaro buckets stretch three-piece seatbelts in front of factory rears that have been upholstered to match. A factory dash hangs a full array of AutoMeter Sport-Comp telemetry above Vintage Air conditioning and an Antique Automobile AM/FM stereo. Pick-free side panels parallel a factory console, which ratchets a serious TCI Outlaw Shifter in front of switches for quick power windows. The driver spins a requisite Formula Steering Wheel. A carpeted trunk frames a billet-cased Optima battery. And the cockpit stays relatively isolated thanks to quality Dynamat insulation.

In summary, this first class Firebird is a legendary Pontiac performer that's been enhanced in almost every way imaginable. It's the kind of car that you can parade to the show on Saturday and cruise to work on a sunny Monday morning. And with its modern drivetrain and professional, top-notch build, this classic is set to provide one lucky owner with years of fun times and great memories. In the market for a timeless pro-tourer that's the quintessential American muscle car? Here it is!

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HIGHLIGHTS

* Exceptional Firebird pro-tourer that's the product of a professional, no-expense-spared build
* Authentic Firebird Esprit
* 7.0 liter Mast Motorsports LS7 with 644 horsepower
* TCI 6x 4L80E 6-speed automatic transmission
* Moser 9-inch rear axle with a Wavetrac limited-slip differential and 3.89 gears
* Modern air conditioning
* Detroit Speed power rack-and-pinion steering
* Baer 4-wheel power disc brakes
* Detroit Speed hydroformed front suspension
* Detroit Speed QUADRALink rear suspension
* Customized leather interior with Recaro seats
* Antique Automobile audio
* Pontiac Buccaneer Red paint
* Custom 18-inch US Mags Bandit wheels
* Custom stainless exhaust with MagnaFlow mufflers
* Build photos
* All RK Motors vehicles receive a comprehensive, multi-point inspection
* We can arrange shipment of your purchase anywhere in the world