[Major Payne]

This seems like the best place to post this. A while ago a '77 formula was offered on the boards for sale section, nobody replied at the time. Maybe because the price is a bit hefty for a formula.
http://forums.performanceyears.com/g...11&m=565102286

Now it's for sale on eBay, and im tempted to place a decent bid. The owner includes many pictures and tons of info on the car. I'm by no means a pontiac expert (if I buy this it will be my first one...) So I need your help in determining if this is a good quality, honest car.

The seller states:
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR> This Firebird was manufactured in Norwood, Ohio on 08/01/1977 with the VIN#: 2U87Z7N255026. According to PHS (Jim Mattison) the big block 400V8 motor with 6X heads (VIN: Z7P266595, Codes: YU, GM3, DN Exhaust Manifold: 488002B) was assembled in Pontiac, Michigan in 1977 and was originally in a 1977 LeMans or Grand Prix. It is believed that the motor was replaced by the dealer in 1977. The 400V8 (180HP) and 6.6L 400V8 (200HP) in Firebird/Trans Ams, Grand Prixs, and LeMans were ALL IDENTICAL in 1977. I have Pontiac dealer brochures and documents that show this. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

First something I dont get:
Z is the engine code for a pontiac 400, the W72 would make this a T/A 6.6 engine. But the stated YU is a 350 block code I believe. Also the block and car vin don't match up.

I know body panel alignment was not very good at the time, do these gaps seem exscessive?



Also, the owner claims it doesn't rust, shoeld i worry about these spots:


I'm from the Netherlands so any rusty firebird here costs between 9000 and 150000 dollars. What would be a good affer for this formula? NADA guide shows $6100 average retail, $10800 high retail. Since the engine compartment doesn't seem very nice, and not many people are interested, I was thinking about a $7000 offer. Would this be too low considering the semi restored state, or too high considering noone in interested?

Here's the Ebay ad:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...488567785&rd=1

Any help would be greatly appreciated, I just want to make sure it's money well spent. Thank you for your time.

Branko Geudeke
aka Major Payne