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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 Magnum 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.
I own a1969 Pontiac FIrebird 400 with 4 speed manual transmission. This is car is original and is numbers matching. The car has only 46,000 miles on it and it. I rebuilt the motor to original specifications 1,000 miles ago. Is it smart to resto mode this car for value purposes?
Depends on what it needs. If it is in prime condition leave it alone.
Now if you have rust or things that are deteriorating then fix them.
Unless it is a Ram Air car it will have good value but not these numbers here. SD and RA are where the money is.
I resto-modded a lightly damaged ’69 convertible, not intending to flip. Didn’t like the Mayfair Maize over Parchment treatment so went over-the-top with a 2-tone House of Kolors featuring Kameleon Red to Gold below the beltline. The many, many other improvements l made produced a great looking (to me), handling, and riding car using pump gas. It now resides a couple states away , hopefully as or more enjoyed than the house it’s sale helped me purchase. Not a great return, but as noted, no R/A, nary an original 400, no T/A, and l actually painted over it’s greastest attribute, a special order color…color drives $. “Smart” to me would be keep it as original as desired from a value standpoint, but if you enjoy driving a better version of it, save the original bits.
Article suggestion: “What Might Have Been-Unicorn option combinations that were never ordered”. An opportunity to muse over what could have been ordered but never was.
A car with a 3 speed and big block ? Column shift automatic
Next time your drunk uncle makes the “stick shifts are anti theft devices LOL” comment, remind that goony bird how few of his favorite muscle cars were optioned with the big engine and a stick.
Most corvettes in the 0’s came with an automatic. No surprise to me that most of these high end cars came with a slush box.
The smokey cars are a bit too much but they are a classic look. Not surprised they were the top 3 spots as it seems everyone tries to make a smokey replica. The ’69 cars on the list do not surprise me. Very desirable to me but that green ’73 is gorgeous. The front on that ’69 BBT restomod is just awful.
Brewster Green & Buccaneer Red were gorgeous colours for ’73’s
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