Sport Beans: 1980 Pontiac Firebird TransAm LS Swap

Marketing is the art of making something appear to be what it is not.  Let’s take Sport Beans, for example. They are not sporty, or even beans — in fact they are jelly beans from the makers of Jelly Bellys, and they are no more appropriate for an athlete to consume than a diabetic…but that doesn’t stop them from selling versions that contain caffeine & vitamins — all shipped in a pouch that says “Gluten Free” and “Made in USA.” What this next car needs is some marketing…because a little lipstick would go a long way on this pig.  Find this 1980 Pontiac Firebird TransAm LS Swap offered for $5,900 in Irving, TX via craigslist. Tip from Rock On!

The Thunderchicken might be faded, but the glorious shape of the 2nd generation F-body Firebird is still clear.  Pontiac sold 107,340 Firebirds for the 1980 model year, but only 5,700 left the factory as the Indy 500 Pace Car edition, complete with turbocharged 301 cubic inch V8 engine.

The Pontiac Turbo 301 is one of a handful of turbocharged V8 offerings from any domestic automakers, but with a single Garrett TB0-305 turbo it was a pretty terrible mix of high backpressure and low boost.  Mercifully, the 200 horsepower original engine in this one has been swapped for a gen III “LS” small block from who knows what, that would be good for at least 325 horsepower.

 See another car that is perfect for someone who owns a body shop…or is legally blind? tips@dailyturismo.com