Brad Besser's original 1978 Firebird Formula 400

FLINT, MI – It’s uncommon to see an “original survivor” at a classic car show.

Many of the classic cars on display have had engine upgrades, revamped interiors and newer radios.

But this 1978 Pontiac Firebird Formula 400 breaks the mold.

It’s never been altered – it looks the same way it came out of the factory more than 40 years ago.

To qualify as a “survivor” car, most agree that the vehicle must have its original paint job, interior and parts.

This Firebird takes it one step further at the Back to the Bricks Rolling Cruise that finds hundreds of classic cars moving back and forth, up and down Saginaw Street -- from Flint to Grand Blanc.

It’s been preserved with only about 70,000 miles after being kept in a garage for most of its lifetime.

Brad Besser, who now owns the vehicle with his father, Dennis, said the preservation of the historic vehicle was important to him.

They bought it from Dennis’ sister, Nancy Edwards, who died from cancer.

It was her wish to keep the car in the family after she purchased it in the Flint area before moving to Indiana.

Besser, a Grand Blanc resident, told MLive-The Flint Journal that many have approached him and his father to purchase the car, as it was appraised at $30,000 about a decade ago, but it’s a “family car.”

“It’s just how I am and who I am. It’s a family car. So, I would just like to keep it in the family,” Besser said. “You know, if it were just a car that I bought from some stranger, it wouldn’t be that big of a deal. But because it’s been in the family since it was brand new -- we definitely want to keep it.”

The Firebird boasts a unique white and gold color scheme with T-tops from Hurst Hatch, a distinctive feature, since most were made that year with Fisher T-tops.

In 1978, many went for the red and black designs, which makes this colorway stand out.

Sitting inside the driver’s seat is like jumping into a time machine with a wood panel around the dials, roll-up windows as well as vintage furnishing around the cabin.

It has a massive 400 cubic-inch engine that has been preserved throughout the years with all original parts.

Since it is a preservation project, sometimes doing vehicle upkeep is difficult.

Many of the 1978 Pontiac Firebirds were turned into circle track cars over the years due to their turn radius, horsepower and strong engineering that suited racing.

“(Originality) actually does mean quite a bit to me. I like modified cars – I have a modified car sitting at home, but I choose to drive this right now,” Besser said. “It’s just a special car. Some people walk by and don’t pay that much attention, but for me it’s special.

“Anybody that like Pontiacs recognizes right away that it’s an all original.”

This Pontiac, unlike some classic cars for sale during Back to the Bricks, never leaves the Besser family.

“It’ll be in our family forever,” he said. “I’ll pass it on to my son. He’ll pass it on to his son. We do not plan on getting rid of it.”

Read more at The Flint Journal:

Fully customized ‘Rat Rod’ 1987 S-10 finds new owner at Bricks Flicks

Back to the Bricks Main Event Week starts tonight with Cruise N’ Car Show

$4.3M grant will help Flint MTA replace last two diesel buses in fleet

Former Genesee County school administrator charged with CSC

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