An Honest luxury sports car
should consist of a lot more than
foam, chrome and gadgetry. So we
took some basic measures.
    Like a new method for con-
structing Firebird seats. Under
the old method, a set of springs
was tied together, padded with
cloth and covered with a separate
foam cushion.
    We molded everything into one
integral unit. So the wires are
completely surrounded by foam
padding.
    The result is a seat that's
much more uniformly comfortable.
And because it's one solid and
durable unit, it will stay more
uniformly comfortable for the
life of the car.
    Esprit's upholstery is some-
thing special, too. Something
called "knit vinyl." Since it
"breathes," it doesn't feel hot
and cold the way regular vinyl
does. Cloth and vinyl is also
available.
    Esprit, like all Firebirds,
seats four. But the driver's seat
got most of our attention. Simply
because this is where all the ac-
tion takes place in a sports car,
luxury or otherwise.
    The instrument panel really
looks like wood. And it was de-
signed so that every switch and
control is right ad the driver's
fingertips.
    The available vinyl-covered

console has two roomy storage
compartments. The rear one is a
glove compartment that opens,
appropriately enough toward the
driver.
    There no groping for the
shifter. It's positioned so that
it seems to find your hand.
    Same goes for the recessed,
pull-type door handles. Below
which are handy storage pockets
built into each door.
    The upper-level ventilation
system is more comfortable this
year because it moves more air.
    Even the steering wheel adds
comfort. It's covered with soft,
squeezeable vinyl.
    And there's a lot more com-
fort you can order. Variable-
ratio power steering. Air con-
ditioning. An exclusive new 14"
Formula steering wheel with a
very heavily padded rim. Power
front disc brakes (manual front
discs are standard).
    Outside, Esprit shows the
same attention to detail. Thin
silvery strips of chrome along
the roof edge. And around the
twin scoop-like openings of the
grille, as well as the wheel
wells. The rocker panel moldings
are cleanly executed. There's a
distinctive wheel trim and Esprit
nameplates.
     There's nothing impractical
about making concealed windshield
wipers standard. So we did.

    And those two outside
mirrors are functional indeed.
Because they're aerodynamically
styled and endowed with a very
broad field of view. Something
more than good looks is going
on here.
    But that typifies the kind
of "luxury" you'll find on Esprit.
The standard engine is a special
350-cubic-inch V-8 that develops
255hp and 355 lb.ft. of torque.
    The standard transmission is
a floor-mounted, fully synch-
ronized 3-speed.
    And the standard suspension
is a beautifully engineered blend
of performance and comfort. It
boasts a new front stabilizer bar
to keep Esprit from leaning
through corners. Which means the
springs and shocks could be kept
softer and more comfortable.
    That, plus the increased sus-
pension travel made possible by
the rear seats, results in a ride
you just don't expect from a
tough-in-the-corners sports car.
    In short, it looks like
Firebird Esprit is going to
change a lot of ideas about what
a luxury sports car should be.
But we kind of had to expect that.
Because with Esprit, tomorrow
begins today.