Pontiac Firebird

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 garner 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:

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Pontiac Firebird
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1st Generation (1967-1969)

1967

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 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 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).

1968

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.

1969

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.

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Pontiac Firebird
Pontiac
aka	{{{aka (Type here, not up there)}}}
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Length	{{{length - type here}}}
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Height	{{{Height - type here}}}
Wheelbase	{{{wheelbase - type here}}}
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Power	{{{Horsepower and Torque rating}}}
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2nd Generation (1970-1981)

1970

GM brought out a whole new F-body this year, one like the world had never seen. Not merely an update on the 1st gen models, the 2nd gens were completely new from the ground up, and its styling was clearly European-inspired as GM took the F-body away from its Mustang-inspired design of the 1st gen models. It was considered an awfully bold move by some, and some didn't quite to know what to make of it at first, but the buying public didn't take very long to embrace it, as it ultimately became on of GM's most successful designs ever. The 1970 Firebird was introduced late in the model year (February, 1970), prompting some to call this a "1970 1/2" model, and unlike the 1st gen models what was based on Chevrolet Nova underpinnings, this all new F-body was unique with its own design consisting of a unibody and separate front subframe.

There were now four different Firebird models to choose from as opposed to only 2 in 1969: the base Firebird, Firebird Esprit, Firebird Formula, and the top-dog Firebird Trans Am. Engines for the base and Esprit model were a Chevrolet-built 4.1L (250 cid) I6 (no longer with an overhead cam design, replaced with a more conventional push-rod design). Optional were the 5.7L (350 cid) V8 with a 2- or 4bbl carburetor, or a 6.6L (400 cid) V8 in 2-or 4bbl as well. Both the 350 and 400 were carryovers from the previous generation. The Formula came standard with the 350-2, with the 350-4, 400-2 and 400-4 optional. The Trans Am came with the 400-4 standard, but in either Ram Air III (345 hp) or Ram Air IV (370 hp) design. Transmission choices for all engines were a 3- or 4-speed manual or a 3-speed automatic. It is believed that the Ram Air IV was not available with the 3-speed manual. Repeating a similar theme from last year, the Trans Am was available in cameo white with the blue hood and decklid stripe (this time only on instead of two), but it could also be lucerne blue with a white hood and decklid stripe.

The Firebird Esprit model was a luxury-oriented model (similar to the Camaro Type LT), with more chrome, nicer interior and more sound deadening than the base. The Formula was an interesting model, splitting the difference between the base Firebird and the Trans Am, and had its own unique dual forward-facing hood scoops (much like the 1969 had), and provided Trans Am power without the visual, look-at-me shaker hood and fender-flares.

1971

After debuting its all new design last year, there weren't many changes in 1971, other than a revised grille and high-back bucket seats replacing the lower-back style with adjustable headrests. On all except the Trans Am, there was a new louvered grille on the lower front fenders behind the wheels. And speaking of wheels, the beautiful new honeycomb design debuted, becoming an option on the Formulas and Trans Ams. Trans Ams received the mighty 7.5L (455 cid) V8 this year, replacing the 400 "Ram Air" engines (the "regular" 400s were still an option on the other Firebirds, however). The 455 would be an option for the Formula. Other drivetrain choices carried over from last year.

1972

GM seriously considered dropping the F body altogether this year, as the muscle/pony car market was taking serious sales (and horsepower) hits, plus insurance hikes were putting many muscle cars in general out of reach for much of their core audience. This, plus a United Auto Workers strike severly crippled F body production, resulting in many 1972 models never making it to the public and ultimately being scrapped. This would result in 1972 being the rarest year of the 2nd generation (something that would ultimately benefit it decades later as far as collectibility).

Nonetheless, Firebirds received a new honeycomb-style grille, and the base, Esprit and Formula would lose their lower fender louvers, making that a one-year-only feature. All engine and drivetrain choices would mirror the previous year.

1973

Base, Esprit and Formula models received little change other than a new eggcrate grille, replacing the previous year's honeycomb design. The Trans Am, however, was in for a few changes, visually and mechanically. As far as visual changes, there were no more hood or deck stripes, Lucerne Blue was regrettably dropped as a color choice, but 2 new choices were added along with Cameo White: Buccaneer Red and Brewster Green. Brewster Green would be a one-year-only color choice, and while being the least popular Trans Am color choice this year, it is now nonetheless one of the most sough-after color with collectors. This was also the year of the "screaming chicken", being the brain child of Pontiac designer John Schinella. This could be deleted, however, and the small bird design atop the front clip was still available if one so desired.

When every other car maker was scaling back its horsepower ratings and effectively trying to distance itself from its "politically incorrect" (yes, it existed back then too) muscle/pony cars, Pontiac, in one of its boldest moves ever, introduced what would become the holy-grail of muscle car engines: the Super Duty 455, rated at 310 net horsepower. SD-455s were hand-produced and used many unique parts from the "regular" 455, and needless to say its production was very limited. Only 252 Trans Ams would be equipped with this prized engine, but 43 of them would also find their way to the Formula as well. Formulas so equipped would share the Trans Am's reverse shaker hood, the only such Formulas ever to receive this hood setup. The SD-455 in recent years has gained a reputation once sought only for Chevrolet's L88 427 or Chrysler's 426 Hemi, and if an original, number-matching example can be found, be prepared to fork over a king's ransom for it.