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I'm looking at a '80 firebird esprit with a b.b. 400. If it's #'s matching is it a rare car? I'm having trouble finding out what the "esprit" means?
A couple things. First of all, theres no such thing as a "big block 400". Chevy made a small block 400, and the Pontiac 400 was never referred to as a big block or small block. Thats a Chevy thing.
Secondly, in 1980 the 400 wasnt available, so theres no way that could be a numbers matching car. The last year of mass production for the 400 was 1978. Some cars were sold in 1979 with the 400, but those were special ordered and quite rare, even back then.
In 1980, there were only 3 V8 engines you could get. A turbo 301, a carbed 301, and a Chevy 305.
Third, if you do have a genuine 1980 Espirit, the only colors it could have been were red and yellow. These cars were called the "Redbird" and "Yellow Bird" and was the last year for the Espirit cars.
For more information on what an Espirit is, see this quote from the 2nd Gen Firebird FAQ:
Q: What is a Firebird Esprit?
A: The Esprit began with the 1970 model. It can be identified by a "T" as the second digit in the VIN. It was placed between the base model and the sporty Formula. The Esprit was the luxury Firebird. It came standard with the custom interior in either cloth or vinyl, simulated wood grain dash, added acoustical insulation, consealed wipers, windshield radio antenna, chrome wheel well trim, vinyl side moulding, and a 3-speed automatic transmission. Other popular options included power locks, power windows, AC, cruise control, tilt steering, remote trunk release, rear window defroster, 8-track tape player, and vinyl top. There were no spoilers, air deflectors or hood scoops on these cars.
In 1977 Pontiac introduced the Skybird, originally to be named after the 1976 show car called Bluebird, but that name was already used by Bluebird Body Company located in Georgia. The Skybird was coded W60. It consisted of a Lombard Blue two-tone paint scheme, coded #21 with an accent code of #58 (Bright Blue) for 1977 and a paint code of #30 (Lombard Blue) and the same accent paint code for 1978. It came with loads of blue stripes and a special "feathery" Skybird decal. Color matched grills, taillight bezels, snowflake 15" x 7" wheels (YJ8), white wall tires (OBW), color matched custom cloth (24B) or custom vinyl (24N) interior, including seatbelts (AK1), Formula steering wheel (NK3) and carpet. The Skybird was available with several engine combos from the Buick 231 V6 to the Olds 403 V8 engine, for smog and high altitude areas. Some of the models may have received a gold spoked steering wheel or Hurst t-tops. Total price for the Skybird package was an extra $342 with cloth interior and $315 with vinyl. In 1978 it was up to $461 with cloth interior and $430 with vinyl.
The Redbird option replaced the Skybird midyear in 1978. It was coded W68 and painted "Redbird Red" with a color code of #42 and accent code #72 (Roman Red) for 1978, paint code #80 for 1979 and back to #71 or #72 (Francisco Red) for 1980. The Redbird option consisted of the same options as the Skybird, except the base color was Red and the stripes were gold. The custom interior was available in vinyl (74N) or cloth (74B). The Redbird option continued until midyear 1980. Some of the 1979 models received the gold steering wheel, dash, and front arrowhead emblem just like the Special Edition Trans Am's. Engines available for 1978 and 1979 were the 3.8 Buick V6 to the Olds 403 V8 powerplant. In 1980, the Redbird was available with the 3.8 Buick V6 to the 5.0 Chevy 305. Total cost for the Redbird package in 1978 was $465 with cloth interior and $430 with vinyl interior. In 1979, it was up to $491 with cloth interior and $449 with vinyl.
In mid-1980 the Yellowbird was introduced. It was the third and last color change for the Firebird Esprit Appearance Packages. The Yellowbirds were coded W73 with a paint color code of #56 with an accent color code of #37. They also consisted of the same options as the Sky/Redbird, including the the Redbird's gold stripes. The Yellowbird came with the camel tan (62B) custom cloth or custom vinyl (62N) interior and had blacked out taillights with yellow horizontal ribs rather than the usual color matched section. Most of the Yellowbirds received the gold steering wheel and dash. The Yellowbirds could also be ordered with an extra-cost rear spoiler (D98) for $58. Total price for the Yellowbird option was $550 with cloth interior and $505 with vinyl interior.
Your THIRD point is totally incorrect.
The Esprit (not Espirit) was available in almost all colours offered for that particular year.
The Esprit colour birds appearance package however, was only offered as follows:
77/78 Sky Bird
78/79 Red Bird
80 Yellow Bird
Originally Posted by Constrictor 98TA
A couple things. First of all, theres no such thing as a "big block 400". Chevy made a small block 400, and the Pontiac 400 was never referred to as a big block or small block. Thats a Chevy thing.
Secondly, in 1980 the 400 wasnt available, so theres no way that could be a numbers matching car. The last year of mass production for the 400 was 1978. Some cars were sold in 1979 with the 400, but those were special ordered and quite rare, even back then.
In 1980, there were only 3 V8 engines you could get. A turbo 301, a carbed 301, and a Chevy 305.
Third, if you do have a genuine 1980 Espirit, the only colors it could have been were red and yellow. These cars were called the "Redbird" and "Yellow Bird" and was the last year for the Espirit cars.
For more information on what an Espirit is, see this quote from the 2nd Gen Firebird FAQ:
1980 Esprit engine choices were:
231 v6 2bbl
265 v8 2bbl
301 v8 4bbl
305 v8 4bbl
The 301 turbo engine was ONLY available in the TA.
Do consider this the 265 and 301 are Pontiac engines so check the casting numbers to see if it's one of those being passed off as a 400 which is possible if it is an original engine. With either of those engines there is near zero performance potential. However either would be a decent mooring anchor if you happen to have a boat.
I'm looking at a '80 firebird esprit with a b.b. 400. If it's #'s matching is it a rare car? I'm having trouble finding out what the "esprit" means?
Who told you numbers matching or are you just wondering?? Always verify yourself. If it was the seller who may have indicated this, avoid that car. Nothing out of his/her mouth can be trusted.
Ok so your Esprit question wasn't answered. So I've included the Oxford meaning (see pic). The Pontiac meaning, A one step above base model that didn't include any performance ingredients. Basically the plush interior with nicer seats, usually ac and a radio upgrade. No aerodynamic package, no handling package, single exhaust . Predominantly a car marketed to young professional women as sporty but not aggressive and easier on the ever increasing 70's car insurance.
My first Firebird was a 74 Esprit, slow and handled like crap but was motivation for many better ones.
The original purchase inquiry from the OP was in May of 2004. If he's still debating purchase at this point, then I think he needs to read some books on effective and timely decision making.
LOL, ancient thread. But this recent revival BEGS for the answer to this question (and I'm not cheating by Googling it):
Originally Posted by [utag=347310
Y2K-WS.6]980 Esprit engine choices were: 231 v6 2bbl 265 v8 2bbl 301 v8 4bbl 305 v8 4bbl The 301 turbo engine was ONLY available in the TA. Do consider this the 265 and 301 are Pontiac engines so check the casting numbers to see if it's one of those being passed off as a 400 which is possible if it is an original engine.
Are you sure that the 265 was a Pontiac V8 and not an Olds small block (like the 403 in the T/A)? That would be weird that GM had two divisions building V8s of nearly identical displacements at the same time (although that's what they were doing from '77-'79 w/ the 400 Pontiac and 403 Olds).
EDIT: OK, curiosity got the best of me and I confirmed that the 265 mentioned IS a Pontiac V8, I was thinking about the 260 SBO that was used in Pontiac Venturas and LeMans from '75-'77. Regardless, if you find a car with either of these V8s, there is only one solution: LS-swap it!
Last edited by JohnnyBs98WS6Rag; 01-16-2023 at 04:03 PM.
LOL, ancient thread. But this recent revival BEGS for the answer to this question (and I'm not cheating by Googling it):
Are you sure that the 265 was a Pontiac V8 and not an Olds small block (like the 403 in the T/A)? That would be weird that GM had two divisions building V8s of nearly identical displacements at the same time (although that's what they were doing from '77-'79 w/ the 400 Pontiac and 403 Olds).
EDIT: OK, curiosity got the best of me and I confirmed that the 265 mentioned IS a Pontiac V8, I was thinking about the 260 SBO that was used in Pontiac Venturas and LeMans from '75-'77. Regardless, if you find a car with either of these V8s, there is only one solution: LS-swap it!
At that point in time Olds, Pontiac and Chevy all had 4.3ish V8's to meet federal fuel mileage requirements. Why I have no idea because the 3.8 V6 had a higher power output and got better gas mileage than any of them. Olds had the worthless 260, Pontiac the equally useless 265 and Chevy had the 267 which made less power than the recently canceled straight 6. The only thing good about any of them is the mounting was the same as real versions of these engines and made easy swaps.
05-08-2004, 07:48 PM
'80 firebird esprit 
