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Pontiac Firebird: Difference between revisions

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The '''[[Pontiac]] Firebird''' was introduced in February, 1967, five months after its [[Chevrolet Camaro]] corporate twin was introduced.  The Firebird, along with the Camaro, was [[GM]]'s answer to the astoundingly successful [[Ford Mustang]], and were known as '''F-bodies'''.  The Firebird would ultimately be offered in a few different variants, not the least of which was the successful and iconic '''Trans Am''' model.  Although the Firebird would span 36 model years, it would only see 4 different variations until GM decided to throw in the towel on it after 2002.  The Firebird, like its corporate twin, the Camaro, would throughout its lifetime garner a very enthusiastic and loyal fanbase, one that still remains strong today despite it no longer being in existence. .
This page is a portal for the Firebird.  Please also see:
*'''[[Pontiac Firebird 1967-1981]]''' for the first two generations. 
*'''[[Pontiac Firebird 1982-2002]]''' for the last two generations.
*'''[[Chevrolet Camaro]]''' for the Firebird's twin.
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| colspan=2 style="padding:0; background:#996; color:#fff; border-bottom:1px solid #999;" | [[Image:1990-92-Pontiac-Firebird-91129181990220.jpg|300px]]
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! colspan=2 | '''Pontiac Firebird'''
! colspan=2 | '''Pontiac Firebird'''
|-
|-
! colspan=2 style="text-align:center; font-weight:normal; background:#ddb;" | [[Pontiac]]
! colspan=2 style="text-align:center; font-weight:normal; background:#ddb;" | [[General Motors]]
|- style="vertical-align:top;"
| aka
| {{{aka (Type here, not up there)}}}
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| 1967-2002
|- style="vertical-align:top;"
|- style="vertical-align:top;"
| Class
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| {{{Class}}}
| Sports Car
|- style="vertical-align:top; background:#f0f0f0;"
|- style="vertical-align:top; background:#f0f0f0;"
| Body Style  
| Body Style  
| {{{Body-Style}}}
| 3-Door Hatchback<br>2-Door Convertible
|- style="vertical-align:top;"
|- style="vertical-align:top;"
| Length
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| 195.1"
|- style="vertical-align:top; background:#f0f0f0;"
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| 72.4"
|- style="vertical-align:top;  
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| 49.8"
|- style="vertical-align:top; background:#f0f0f0;"
|- style="vertical-align:top; background:#f0f0f0;"
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| {{{wheelbase - type here}}}
| 101"
|- style="vertical-align:top;"
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| 3100-3500 lbs
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|- style="vertical-align:top; background:#f0f0f0;"
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| 4-Speed Manual, RWD<br>5-Speed Manual, RWD<br>3-Speed Automatic, RWD<br>4-Speed Automatic, RWD
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|- style="vertical-align:top;"
| Engine
| Engine
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| 2.5L (151 cid) I4 (1982-1985)<br>2.8L (173 cid) V6 (1982-1989)<br>3.1L (191 cid) V6 (1990-1992)<br>3.8L (231 cid) Turbo V6 (1989)<br>5.0L (305 cid) V8 (1982-1992)<br>5.7L (350 cid) V8 (1987-1992)
|- style="vertical-align:top; background:#f0f0f0;"
|- style="vertical-align:top; background:#f0f0f0;"
| Power
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| 92-350 hp
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| Similar
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| {{{similar (competition)}}}
| [[Chevrolet Camaro]]
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| F
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The '''[[Pontiac]] Firebird''' was introduced in February, 1967, 5 months after its [[Chevrolet Camaro]] corporate twin was introduced.  The Firebird, along with the Camaro, was [[GM]]'s answer to the astoundingly successful [[Ford Mustang]], and were known as '''F-bodies'''.  The Firebird would ultimately be offered in a few different variants, not the least of which was the successful and iconic '''Trans Am''' model.  Although the Firebird would span 36 model years, it would only see 4 different variations until GM decided to throw in the towel on it after 2002.  The Firebird, like its corporate twin, the Camaro, would throughout its lifetime ___ a very enthusiastic and loyal fanbase, one that still remains strong today despite it no longer being in existence. 


This will briefly cover all four generations:
==Trivia==


==1st Generation (1967-1969)==
* Then-Pontiac general manager John DeLorean was, prior to the Firebird's introduction, working on a 2-seat prototype called "Banshee" and had high hopes of getting it produced.  The powers-that-be at GM, however, disapproved the project for fear it would be too much internal competition for the [[Chevrolet Corvette]], so they ordered DeLorean to produce a Camaro twin instead, something DeLorean was initially reluctant to do, because he had reportedly thought that doing so would cannibalize sales of the [[Pontiac GTO|GTO]].


===1967===
* In 1979, Pontiac sold an unprecedented 117,000 Trans Ams alone, more than the base Firebird, Esprit and Formula models combined.


Firebird's premier year, it differed from its Camaro twin by having a different nose and tail, and used its own Pontiac-produced drivetrains.  The Firebird had quad headlights surrounded by a split, protruding-center chrome loop bumper and 2 long, thin vertical taillights with the reverse lights in the center in the rear.  Bodystyles included a 2-door hardtop coupe and a convertible.  Pontiac offered no fastback versions of the Firebird, unlike [[Ford]] and [[Plymouth]], which offered fastback versions of the Mustang and [[Plymouth Barracuda|Barracuda]].  Base engine was a 3.8L (230 cid) OHC I6 in 1bbl and 4bbl versions for the '''Sprint''' model (an overhead cam being a Pontiac-exclusive).  Optional was the 5.3L (326 cid) V8 (in base and "H.O." versions), with the top engine being the 6.6L (400 cid) V8, borrowed from the [[Pontiac GTO|GTO]].  The 400 could have a "ram air" option which included a larger-overlap, longer-duration cam, a beefed-up valvetrain for 6000 rpm operation - and functional dual hood scoops.  All engines could have a 3- or 4-speed manual or a 2- or 3-speed automatic (the 3-speed automatic was the only automatic available with the 400 engine).
* When the movie ''Smokey and the Bandit'' came out in 1977, Trans Am sales jumped nearly 50% that year over 1976.  Pontiac's general manager was so thrilled by the publicity (and profits) that it offered to give Burt Reynolds a brand new Trans Am every year for an unspecified period of time.   
* In 1970, what became the Trans Am model was originally to be named Firebird Sebring, and what became the Formula model was going to be the Trans Am.  [[Plymouth]], however, had dibs on the Sebring name, as it used it as an option package for the new-for-1971 [[Plymouth Satellite|Satellite]] models, so the top model became the Trans Am, and the Trans Am essentially became the Formula.


===1968===
* The 1979 10th Anniversary Trans Am would be the first Pontiac model to incorporate red instrument lighting, something all other Pontiac models would later incorporate and still use today.


The 1968 Firebird used the same body as in 1967, but there were noticeable visual differences.  Front side vent windows were eliminated, and the front parking lamps were moved outboard of the front valance and doubled as side-marker lights, which had been federally mandated this year.  The rear side markers were in the shape of the Pontiac arrowhead symbol.  There were substantial drivetrain changes, however:  the base 3.8L I6 was enlarged to a 4.1L (250 cid) unit, and still had the unique overhead-cam design, and again available in 1- or 4-bbl guises.  The 326 V8 had been discontinued in favor of the 5.7L (350 cid) V8, in 2- or 4-bbl versions.  Both versions of the 400 V8 continued as before, as the previous year's transmission choices.  Firebird's sales were not as strong as its Camaro twin (or Ford's Mustang), but it was definitely making an indelible impression among pony-car fans and was proving to be a solid contender.  And as the years would progress, it would only get stronger.
* The 1979 10th Anniversary Trans Am was the only anniversary edition Trans Am that wasn't white.    


===1969===
* The 1980 Turbo 4.9 V8 engine was the world's first turbocharged gasoline V8 engine. 


The Firebird received a restyle this year, the basic body was slightly enlarged, the fender and wheel wells would become more pronounced and in line with the popular "coke-bottle" and "longer-lower-wider" styling themes.  The hood had become longer, and the chrome loop grille no longer surrounded the headlights - they were now in their own separate individual openings (a look the GTO would copy a year later).  Drivetrain choices would remain the same as in the previous year, but this year, an all-new Firebird model would appear, and one that would leave a permanent impression in Firebird history:  the '''Trans Am'''.  Trans Ams differed from the rest of the Firebird line by having the 400 V8 standard, in either standard or ram-air guise, 3- or 4-speed manual transmission or 3-speed automatic.  The 1969 Trans Am would be a very limited-edition model, with only 697 coupes and 8 convertibles - making the '69 Trans Am one of the most coveted and collectible Pontiacs of all time.  All Trans Ams shared a white body with blue hood and deck stripes paint scheme with a raised spoiler and blue taillight panel.  It is believed that Trans Am convertibles all had blue convertible tops.  There would be an all new Firebird planned for 1970, and since it would not debut until February 1970, the 1969 Firebird was offered through the end of December, 1969 as an extended model year.
{{Pontiac}}
 
To be continued...     


{{Pontiac}}
[[Category:Discontinued Models]]

Latest revision as of 22:11, 1 April 2010

The Pontiac Firebird was introduced in February, 1967, five months after its Chevrolet Camaro corporate twin was introduced. The Firebird, along with the Camaro, was GM's answer to the astoundingly successful Ford Mustang, and were known as F-bodies. The Firebird would ultimately be offered in a few different variants, not the least of which was the successful and iconic Trans Am model. Although the Firebird would span 36 model years, it would only see 4 different variations until GM decided to throw in the towel on it after 2002. The Firebird, like its corporate twin, the Camaro, would throughout its lifetime garner a very enthusiastic and loyal fanbase, one that still remains strong today despite it no longer being in existence. .

This page is a portal for the Firebird. Please also see:


1990-92-Pontiac-Firebird-91129181990220.jpg
Pontiac Firebird
General Motors
Production 1967-2002
Class Sports Car
Body Style 3-Door Hatchback
2-Door Convertible
Length 195.1"
Width 72.4"
Height 49.8"
Wheelbase 101"
Weight 3100-3500 lbs
Transmission 4-Speed Manual, RWD
5-Speed Manual, RWD
3-Speed Automatic, RWD
4-Speed Automatic, RWD
Engine 2.5L (151 cid) I4 (1982-1985)
2.8L (173 cid) V6 (1982-1989)
3.1L (191 cid) V6 (1990-1992)
3.8L (231 cid) Turbo V6 (1989)
5.0L (305 cid) V8 (1982-1992)
5.7L (350 cid) V8 (1987-1992)
Power 92-350 hp
Similar Chevrolet Camaro
Platform F


Trivia

  • Then-Pontiac general manager John DeLorean was, prior to the Firebird's introduction, working on a 2-seat prototype called "Banshee" and had high hopes of getting it produced. The powers-that-be at GM, however, disapproved the project for fear it would be too much internal competition for the Chevrolet Corvette, so they ordered DeLorean to produce a Camaro twin instead, something DeLorean was initially reluctant to do, because he had reportedly thought that doing so would cannibalize sales of the GTO.
  • In 1979, Pontiac sold an unprecedented 117,000 Trans Ams alone, more than the base Firebird, Esprit and Formula models combined.
  • When the movie Smokey and the Bandit came out in 1977, Trans Am sales jumped nearly 50% that year over 1976. Pontiac's general manager was so thrilled by the publicity (and profits) that it offered to give Burt Reynolds a brand new Trans Am every year for an unspecified period of time.
  • In 1970, what became the Trans Am model was originally to be named Firebird Sebring, and what became the Formula model was going to be the Trans Am. Plymouth, however, had dibs on the Sebring name, as it used it as an option package for the new-for-1971 Satellite models, so the top model became the Trans Am, and the Trans Am essentially became the Formula.
  • The 1979 10th Anniversary Trans Am would be the first Pontiac model to incorporate red instrument lighting, something all other Pontiac models would later incorporate and still use today.
  • The 1979 10th Anniversary Trans Am was the only anniversary edition Trans Am that wasn't white.
  • The 1980 Turbo 4.9 V8 engine was the world's first turbocharged gasoline V8 engine.

Template:Pontiac

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