This 1979 Pontiac Firebird presents in the black-over-gold color combination that defined the look of the F-body's peak era a finish that needs no explanation to anyone who lived through the late 1970s or has followed these cars since.
Under the hood is the 301 cubic inch Pontiac V8, a factory engine introduced in the 1977 model year and carried forward through the second-generation's final seasons. It backs to a TH350 three-speed automatic transmission, with a 2.41 rear axle ratio that reflects the fuel-economy pressures of the era rather than a performance-oriented gearing choice a setup that makes for relaxed highway cruising. The drivetrain reads as an honest survivor of the emissions-era Pontiac powertrain, not a numbers-matching showpiece, but a functioning original combination in a car that still gets driven.
Braking is handled by front disc, rear drum a common configuration for the period with the fronts measuring 8/32 and the rears at 6/32, both with considerable service life remaining. Tires show 10/32, which is strong for a car of this age. This one hasn't been sitting.
The tan leather interior is in genuinely good shape, with seats and carpet that hold up without apology. Manual windows and locks keep things straightforward. The 1979 model year was the high-water mark for Firebird production, with GM delivering more F-bodies that year than at any point before or since. That milestone helps explain why this color combination carries the cultural weight it does black over gold on a second-generation Firebird is shorthand for an entire era of American performance cars, and a well-preserved example in this spec is an increasingly difficult find as the survivors thin out.
NFI Empire specializes in classic, exotic, modified, and luxury vehicles. We offer retail sales, consignment, financing, and full custom and body work through our on-site shop. Please call ahead to confirm the vehicle's current availability and viewing location. See the "videos" tab above this description box for a cold start and walk around.
