“I can’t drive 55” was a popular hard-rock song recorded by Sammy Hagar in 1984. An excerpt of the lyrics includes the words, “Gonna write me up a 125, post my face wanted dead or alive. Take my license, all that jive. I can’t drive 55!” This song is used as the soundtrack to a walkaround video for today’s feature car, and when you hear about the vehicle’s performance upgrades, you’ll see why.
The Pick of the Day is a 1978 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am listed for sale on ClassicCars.com by a private seller in Canton, Ohio. (Click the link to view the listing)
“Completely restored custom-built Trans Am, beautifully done in a pearl blue paint with custom airbrush artwork,” the listing states.
Alongside its sibling the Chevrolet Camaro, the F-body Firebird aged into its second generation beginning in 1970. The car was available exclusively as a two-door coupe, but there were a vast number of models and special edition packages offered through 1981 when the generation was discontinued. One of those packages was a performance and handling package called the Trans Am.
One thing that’s interesting about this listing is that the car in fact carries a 1974 title but has been updated to a 1978 look. That being said, it would be interesting to see an itemized list of precisely what was changed and why. A set of period-correct louvers adorn the back window and a set of 15-inch “snowflake” aluminum wheels provide fancy footwork. The interior received custom embroidered upholstery, too.
The real appeal of this Trans Am comes from under the hood, where the powertrain has been upgraded with a 400cid V8 with an aluminum intake, a 750-cfm Holley carburetor, ceramic-coated long-tube headers, an aluminum exhaust system, and more. All those go-fast goodies make for a dyno-tested 500-horsepower output. Luckily, the four-speed 700R4 automatic transmission is built to handle the power according to the seller.
Sometimes automotive customizers overlook the fact that extra speed capability also requires enhanced braking. This Firebird received upgraded brake lines and four-wheel disc brakes to help slow things down. (Which is a good thing when the police car shows up in your rearview mirror and you’re going way faster than 55 miles per hour).
“Way too much to list; must see to appreciate,” the listing concludes.
The asking price is $59,500 for this Firebird. Just be careful to watch your speed.
To view this listing on ClassicCars.com, see Pick of the Day.
