The Pontiac Sunbird was the Performance Division’s version of the subcompact H-Body platform. It bowed in 1976, and was available as a coupe, hatchback, or wagon. The wagon was configured as a shooting brake design, with just two doors and a liftgate. The standard engine was a 140 cubic-inch inline four producing a rather dismal 78 horsepower. In 1978, the Sunbird could be had with the optional Chevy 305 cubic-inch V8 in the hatchback or notchback.
Our feature Pontiac Sunbird Safari is the grocery getter you would have dreamed of in high school study hall. It has had a bit of power added by way of a Mid Year Corvette-sourced 327 V8 making 365 horsepower. That rather beastly upgrade is backed by a three-speed Turbo Hydramatic 350 automatic transmission. A wolf in sheep’s clothing, to be sure.
It’s a shame the wolf is so mangy. The Pontiac Sunbird Safari’s white exterior finish is a big bag of okay. The flexible body filler that used to reside between the body and the bumper is not cracked, not chipped, but altogether gone. The glass has been tinted. The weatherstrip appears to be original, not necessarily a good thing. The trim also looks to be original and somewhat weathered. The locking gas cap is a cheap parts store chrome unit. Lower portions of the body are chipped and show rust. The wheels are smaller versions of Firebird snowflakes, but are factory equipment.
The Pontiac Sunbird Safari’s interior is original, but time has not been kind. The driver’s seat is a series of rips and tears. The passenger seat and back seat look to be in good nick. The dash presents well enough, but the speedometer looks to have some sort of accumulated fluid on the lens. Carpet show minimal fading in the front of the car. The plastic cargo area has not held up well. The cargo area carpet has been hammered, with multiple holes and significant wear present. Both side panels are faded to an unattractive pink hue, and the passenger side panel has huge holes in it.
The Pontiac Sunbird Safari’s saving grace is what lurks beneath the hood. The Corvette 327 is a considerable step up from anything on the Pontiac Sunbird option list. This example is equipped with power steering, power brakes, cold-blowing vintage A/C, and all the power you’d ever want in this wrapper. An aluminum radiator keeps things cool. The engine bay is rather tidy and well executed.
This low-buck sleeper hot rod is available from Streetside Classics for $20,995.
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Comments
Horrible and fun all in one. Drifting practice car?
I totally forgot that Pontiac made this car. Same car as Vega correct?
Anyhow, I’ve always liked this body style. Sport and practical all in one.
Pontiac Astre (Vega cousin), not a Sunbird.
You are correct. It was renamed the Sunbird for 1978, when the Astre model was discontinued.
I’d be very aware first if you live in a State or County (ect.) where something like this most assuredly is not going to pass any emissions test and unless you can figure out away to either get it pass (highly doubtable, in fact dare I say, impossible) and there are some States, Counties, ect. where there are “Safety Test” also required, again, make sure that this sort of a vehicle can pass any other test that might be required too! Doing a project like this, while mechanically pretty impressive (kudo’s to whom ever did this conversion) certainly has it’s major drawbacks, if nothing else just trying to acquire the needed damaged or missing parts….should a person decide to “finish it off properly” and have a really unique (albeit not particularly popular) vehicle to take to a Cars & Coffee or Show & Shine event in your neck of the woods.
Personally speaking, the asking price is totally outrageous considering the actual condition of this vehicle, and I doubt that you could successfully get that asking price if it were in “Concourse” condition, there just isn’t that much money ties up in this whole vehicle, from the basic 3 speed auto tranny, to the carburetor equipped small block 327 Chevy engine (if it’s a true 1964-1965 365 HP solid lifter engine and in stock condition, it’s worth more than any other part in this vehicle!
Too much “stuff” needed to bring this oddity up to my standards, perhaps others might choose to take the challenge and purchase this vehicle, but in good old “SoCal”, no way could this vehicle be easily registered and enjoyed, especially at that “as shown” price, I’ll take a pass, too rich for my blood!
Never fooled with the Pontiac but back in the day I dropped a ton of 350s in Vega and Monza. Some brave souls even requested a big block. Had to strengthen the frame and change rear end but they proved pretty road worthy
This is a highly unprofessionally written feature: this is not a Sunbird! It is a Pantiac Astre, with a Chevrolet V8 swapped for its 151″ Pontiac Iron Duke 4L.
This is the kind of articles I would not like to see.
It’s not well researched. In the author’s defense, the dealer is selling it as a Sunbird, and a Sunbird emblem was applied to the glove compartment door. Arguably, the person who consigned it with Streetside Classics is committing fraud.
Correction: it is a Sunbird, later the nameplate went to the Pontiac version of the Monza.
For 1978 and 1979, the station wagon from the discontinued Astre series was added to the Sunbird line.
The Pontiac Astre was discontinued for the 1977 model year, and the wagon lived on as the Pontiac Sunbird starting with the 1978 model year.