Pre-bids

1978 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am Drag Car (700 bhp)

Highlights

  • Monstrous performance with circa 700bhp on offer from its enormous 8.1-Litre Chevy Big-Block V8
  • Recorded at 9.5 seconds @ 140mph with 200-shot of NOS
  • Often seen at the Santa Pod Raceway
  • Recently subject to a full engine rebuild for circa £18,000
  • Owned and raced by Jason Dodd, Grandson of 'The Beast' legend John Dodd
  • Fully road legal

The Appeal 

If the Firebird was already a bit of a powerhouse, what does that make DGF534S? Perhaps the entire national grid. This absolute monster of a drag machine was built up and raced by Jason Dodd, of the legendary Dodd motoring lineage. While his grandfather, John Dodd, was the creator of The Beast, his father decided to take to the drag circuits in 1989. Jason followed his father into the sport and soon gained quite a passion for it - so much so that, in the 2012s, he took on his own mega-project to light up the circuit.

It took a while - but the result speaks for itself. This utter terror of the track is packed with so much muscle that it's more akin to a wild animal. After plenty of experience on the drag - indeed, we'd recommend looking up this car's exploits, it's a remarkable rabbit hole - it now comes to us, ready and waiting for the lucky new owner who wants to put it through its paces.

Loaded with its custom-built 8.1-Litre Chevrolet Big-Block, with AFR 300 cylinder heads and an Eagle Roating Piston Assembly, this aggressive, competition-spec car is beyond engaging - it's spellbinding. This is one for only the bravest of drivers!
firebird-004.jpg 973.67 KB

The History and Paperwork 

  • Built in 1978
  • The DVLA records 4 previous keepers
  • Purchased by Jason Dodd in 2012
  • Regularly entered at the Santa Pod raceway
  • Last known to take part at the Dragstalgia 'Nostalgia Superstock' event, July 2023
  • Full engine rebuild carried out in July 2024 at a cost of near £18,000
  • The car has covered less than 500 miles since
  • MOT exempt and last tested in 2018
  • Supplied with:
    • V5c document
    • Plenty of invoices, including the engine rebuild in July 2024
    • A Santa Pod Raceway Timing Ticket from 2021
    • A copy of American Car in which it features alongside the other Dodd family vehicles

The Condition 

  • Imposing black lines that perfectly capture the Firebird's 2nd-generation excess
  • Bodywork is showing some signs of age, with the odd spot of wear and corrosion
  • We note a puncture mark underneath the right-hand side tailgate window
  • At least one area has been repaired with duct tape
  • Some heavy corrosion and paint loss underneath the boot lid 
  • Paintwork carries some chips, marks and loses elsewhere
  • Some wear to the badges and branding
  • Reg plates are looking somewhat beaten up
  • Wheels are in good order
  • Fitted with two new rear tyres, with only 300 miles covered since
  • Underside carries some corrosion and wear
  • Internally, the car is carrying some patina
  • The vinyl on handles and pulls is cracking somewhat
  • Seats are in good order
  • A roll cage has been installed
  • Some corrosion and wear to the floors
  • Dashboard in fair order with some patina
  • All necessary fittings for drag races are present and correct
  • Partially exposed stick shift housing
  • N2O Leash controller installed 

The Mechanics

  • 496cu in (8.1-Litre) Big-Block Chevy V8 with 4-bolt mains 
  • Eagle rotating assembly 
  • 10:81 AFR heads 
  • 4.310 bored to pistons by CTM
  • Eagle H-Beam New 6.385 Con-rods
  • Eagle 4130 forged Steel Crankshaft
  • Hydraulic Roller Camshaft
  • Duplex double roller timing chain assembly
  • Fully manual TH400 transmission with a 9-inch Abruzzi 4,500 rpm stall converter
  • Subframe connectors at the rear
  • 200 shot of NOS
  • Consistently capable of 10-second timing
  • Engine bay in good overall condition following a rebuild
  • We've no reports of any mechanical issues
This sale is subject to the Car & Classic Terms and Conditions. By bidding and/or making an offer, you also agree to the following: 
The seller is registered as a private seller which means consumer rights stemming from EU consumer protection law do not come into effect. However, you are still covered by Car & Classic’s own Terms and Conditions.. 
We request that a non-refundable fee  be paid if you are the lucky winning bidder at auction or if your offer is accepted Please refer to our helpful FAQs and T&Cs for specific rates. 
This vehicle is “Sold As Seen”, on an “As Is Where Is’ basis and without warranty. Photos and descriptions are solely for guidance purposes and it's customary to carry out a full inspection of the vehicle prior to purchase for your own peace of mind. 
✓ VAT is included in the buyer's deposit. VAT may or may not be included in the final bid or offer price, as specified in the listing. 
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or delivery. Importing vehicles may result in additional customs duties and import taxes so it’s worth checking beforehand.. If requested, we may refer you to a third-party shipping company who can help. For more details and to speak to the team, email [email protected] 

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Auction Details

  • Year1978
  • MakePontiac
  • ModelFirebird
  • ColourBlack
  • Odometer71,668 Miles
  • Engine size8100cc
  • Seller TypePrivate
  • TownHinckley
  • CountyLeicestershire
  • CountryUnited Kingdom
  • Auction ends

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