The first-generation Firebirds had a
characteristic "coke-bottle" styling. Unlike the Camaro, its bumpers were
integrated into the design of the front end and its rear "slit" taillights
were inspired by the Pontiac GTO. Both a two-door hardtop and a convertible
were offered through the 1970 model year (the next generation, dropping the
convertible, being announced as 1970 1/2 models).
It was released five months after its Camaro twin and usually cost around
$500 more. Unsurprisingly, the Firebird was outsold by the Camaro thanks in
part to a much larger Chevy dealer network accompanied by a bigger
advertising budget.
The base model had a 230 in³ (3.8 L) OHC six-cylinder, single-barrel
carburetor motor developing 165 hp (123 kW). The next model, the Sprint, had
a four-barrel carburetor, developing 215 hp (160 kW). Most buyers opted for
the V8s: the 326 in³ (5.3 L) two-barrel 250 hp (186 kW, the 'H.O.' (High
Output) engine of the same size but with a four-barrel carburetor 285 hp
(213 kW), or the 400 in³ (6.6 L) from the GTO 325 hp (242 kW). A Ram Air
option was available, with functional hood scoops, higher flow heads with
stronger valve springs and a different camshaft. Power for the Ram/Air
package was the same as the conventional 400HO, but peaked at a higher RPM.
The 230 in³ (3.8 L) engines were replaced by 250 in³ (4.1 L) ones,
developing 175 hp (130 kW) single barrel, and 215 hp (160 kW) four-barrel.
An H.O. version of the 400 in³ (6.6 L) was offered from 1968, with a revised
cam, and developed 330 hp (246 kW), while power output on the other engines
increased marginally. In 1969, a $725 optional handling package called the
Trans Am Performance and Appearance Package was introduced, named after the
Trans-Am Series. As the name was used without permission, the SCCA
threatened to sue, but GM settled the deal by paying $5 to the SCCA for
every car sold. Of these first Trans Ams, 689 hardtops and eight
convertibles were made. There was an additional Ram Air IV engine option for
the 400 in³ that year to complement the Ram Air II; these generated 345 and
335 hp respectively.
The 1969 model received a major facelift with a new front end design made of
an Endura bumper housing the headlights and grilles. Inside, there was a
revised instrument panel and steering wheel. Also, the ignition switch was
moved from the dashboard to the steering column with the introduction of
GM's new locking ignition switch/steering wheel.
Due to engineering problems that would ultimately delay introduction of the
all-new 1970 Firebird past the usual fall debut, Pontiac continued
production of 1969-model Firebirds into the early months of the 1970 model
year (the other 1970 Pontiacs were introduced Sept. 18, 1969) until the end
of calendar year 1969.
The first-generation Firebird could easily be told from the Camaro with its
four round headlamps, while the Camaro got only two.
Second generation (1970–1981)
The second generation appeared for the 1970 model year as a mid-year
introduction on February 26, 1970 - but was officially designated by Pontiac
as a 1970 model, not a 1970 1/2 as many sources have reported through the
years. Replacing the coke bottle was a more swoopy body style, with the top
of the rear window line going almost straight down to the lip of the trunk
lid. This body style was the longest-serving, initially with a large
C-pillar until 1975; from that year, the rear window was enlarged. A
substantial slant-nose facelift came in 1977, redone in 1979. From 1977 to
1981, the Firebird used four square headlamps, while the Camaro retained the
two round headlights that had previously been shared by both cars.
By this time, the Firebird was appearing more anachronistic against its more
modern Ford Mustang rival. Therefore, the third-generation model, from 1982,
was more of a departure, with pop-up headlamps and a rear liftgate.
The Firebird Trans Am with the 455 motor was the last high-performance
muscle motor of the original muscle car generation. The 455 motor first made
its appearance in 1971 as the 455-HO. In 1973 and 1974, a special version of
the 455, called the SD-455, was offered. The SD-455 used the left over
components from Pontiac's 366 NASCAR engine and was built as a full bore
racing engine producing over 540 horsepower and was then toned down to
appease the EPA and to meet GM's strict horsepower policy which required all
GM vehicles to hold the HP to under 300. As a result, the PMD engineers
listed the SD-455 at 290 hp but in reality, was producing in final form, 371
hp SAE NET (Approx 440 gross horsepower). What made this engine unique was
the ease with which it could be returned to its 500+ horsepower form. The
SD-455 is often considered the last of the true musclecar motors and by
many, considered to be the most powerful factory Pontiac engine ever
produced. [1] Pontiac offered the 455 for a few more years, but tightening
restrictions on vehicle emissions guaranteed its demise. The 1976 Trans Am
was the last of the "Big Cube Birds" with only 7,100 units made with the 455
engine. [2].
In 1974, Pontiac offered the 400, 455 and SD-455 in the Trans Am. The 400
engine was the only other option in the 1975, and 1976 models. In 1977,
Pontiac offered the T/A 6.6 Litre 400 with a 4 speed manual transmissions
rated at 200hp. All 49 state automatic Trans Ams received the 180 hp 400.
California and high altitude cars recieved the Oldsmobile V8 engine 403ci
|Olds 403]]. [3] The 400/403 options were available until 1979. In 1980,
because of ever increasing emissions restrictions, Pontiac dropped all of
its large displacement motors.
1980 saw the biggest engine changes for the Firebird. The 301, offered in
1979 as an option, was now the standard engine. Options included a
turbocharged 301 or the Chevrolet 305 small block. [4]
The final year of the second generation Trans Am, 1981, still used the same
engines as the previous year with no changes.
More on the history here:
In the beginning it started with a necessity, GM needed a car more suited to
combat the Ford Mustang in the pony class segment. Hence the birth of the
Firebird. Though similar to the Chevy Camaro in looks, it had refinement and
accents that the Camaro lacked for the battle in such an arena. This was John
DeLorean's vision. He knew the Camaro was a gorgeous car but was more designed
as a half breed musclecar / Ponycar. It was an awesome formulation, but Mr.
Delorean and his team also knew it needed a few more attributes. Rather then
risk a car that sells well, he decided on a new model that at that time could be
expendable incase of failure and which would be cheaper to build to not kill
profit for all the extras added. But how?
Simple, Mr. DeLorean thought by using an old GM technique by
sharing interchangeable parts and by using an existing assembly line, and by
modify an already proven design, he would save much on the design and the molds
when it came to such a car. Similar to his earlier idea of the infamous GTO, it
worked again, not only in sales but in customer satisfaction as well.
Eventually, with such refinements as the elimination of vent windows, soon
better drivetrains would also follow and open the door to the Trans-Am of 1969.
By now the Firebird was proving that sexy and powerful can indeed go hand and
hand.
Written by
Louis J.Calabrese (RamAirThree)
1967 Pontiac introduced the Firebird as a direct competitor to
the Ford Mustang. In 1967, the firebird was offered in 5 different flavors, the
base model, sprint, 326, 326 H.O., and the 400.
In 1968, not much changed for the firebird in regards to
appearance, but the 326 cid engine was replaced with a 350 cid engine. The model
line up for 1968 was the base firebird, firebird sprint, firebird 350, firebird
350 H.O., firebird 400, and the firebird ram air 400.
In 1969, there were some minor appearance changes, such as the
gas filler moved behind the rear license plate, front fender wind splints, etc.
In 1969, pontiac introduced the trans am model of the firebird. In 1969,
pontiac offered 8 different models of the firebird.
2nd Generation Pontiac Firebird:
1970 - 1981
Second Generation Firebird/ 1970- 1981
By now Firebird was a proven competitor and champion in the pony car class. But
the once great and mighty Pontiac decided to go even further with the car. A
totally new design would be introduced late in the year actually making every
1970 model technically a 1970 and a 1/2. With an all new complete Euro styled
body and suspension mated to an All American drivetrain, and then highlighted
with an interior design to die for, the Firebird line was a vehicle ahead of its
time. With this all new design and the success of the 1969 Trans Am, and even
the six cylinder Sprint cars, Pontiac decided on offering complete F-body model
packages. This included your base sport coupe, the Esprit, the Formulas and of
course the Trans Am. It also brought into play some serious drivetrains, like
the new and improved HO's known as Ram Airs, and in a couple of years the 455
SD, while still offering the work horse 350 in a two barrel form. There were
even Muncie manual transmissions in both close and wide ratios along with the
Saginaws in later versions. Automatics still saw the 400tbh and 350tbh.
Midway in the second generations we saw the farewell to the
chrome rear bumper, the end of the round headlight in1976, and the introduction
to the Hurst T-Top roof in 1976 with the hood bird and pinstripe. When 1977
rolled around, and with the movie called Smokey and the Bandit, there was an
increase in sales and the introduction to a new SE model we have all come to
love and associate with the Trans Am; along with three new package models known
as a Yellow bird, the Red Bird and the Blue bird (also known as a Skybird).
There was also the Golden Trans Am Edition. Earlier year sales of the 74-76 have
been attributed to a popular tv series called "The Rockford Files". Remember him
Jim Rockford the private eye, he would only drive Firebirds and his dad loved
Silverado 4x4's.
By now the question being asked of Trans Am owners was "is it a
Pontiac motor or an Oldsmobile motor?" and in 1979 through 1981, we also seen a
change in the endura bumper and taillights, but it was basically the same car
with yet another new interior package and some new SE models, like the Silver
Anniversary package and the Turbo Indy car. By far the second generation
Firebird line was probably the most detailed and prettiest cars of the decade
and also the most familiar to the eye.
Written by
Louis J. Calabrese (RamAirThree)
3rd Generation Firebird:
Third Generation Firebird, 1982- 1992
Third generation popped up on the scene with some reluctant and shocked
consumers who were use to their second generation acquired tastes, but after a
little time, sales increased quite rapidly and the F-body was on a roll once
again. Especially after the popular 80's T.V. show "Knight Rider" aired with a
dreamy car named "K.I.T.T.", the final "Smokey and the Bandit" movie, and a
movie called "Alphabet City" featuring one of the 1984 15th anniversary white
and blue Trans Ams.
The body was the sleekest yet, the interior even more
futuristic, and now Pontiac was playing with new hood types as the shaker scoop
was all but history and gave way to an offset hood scoop. Along with that change
came ground effect sideskirts that were the added introduction to the Trans Am.
The new design was all about aerodynamics and low coefficient of drag.
Unfortunately the Cross-Fire injected 5.0 fell from favor and by now it was
apparent that the Pontiac block was history and for now on it would be a Chevy
drivetrain to power the birds of prey.
The 80's were definitely a decade of much ups and downs for the
F-body, but still a generation that is held dear to many. Some of the loves was
the PMD interior in the earlier models and the 5.7 TPI drivetrains in the later
ones. By 1987 we had said goodbye to the carburetor and hello to some much
needed horsepower to compete against the Mustang GT and favorable LX. In 1990 we
had the arrival of the 1LE Performance Package and the car also seen a change in
the nose of the 1991 and 1992 model years. But three very welcomed editions to
the F-body line was the 1989 20th Anniversary Turbo Trans Am, the GTA, and the
Firehawk. These third generation birds were the pioneers into the fourth
generation as reasoning stands with all the changes through the years of the 3rd
generation firebirds, everywhere from the decals to the rims the cars sat on, it
was all about improved design and advantage through aerodynamics.
Written by
Louis J. Calabrese (RamAirThree)
4th Generation Pontiac Firebird:
1993 - 2002
Fourth Generation Pontiac Firebird, 1993 - 2002
In 1993 the Pontiac Firebird introduced the 4th gen firebird
with all new sheet metal and was 90% different then its predecessor. All
firebirds had composite body panels that were resistant to minor impacts and
rust. In addition, a new engine to the firebird called LT1 was introduced,
which was a 5.7L 350 ci engine. The LT1 was a reverse coolant flow engine with a
trigger operated distributor called the optispark. Due to the reverse flow
cooling system and location of the distributor, the 4th gen lt1 was not
interchangeable with prior small blocks.
The 1993 firebird relied upon a speed density system which
changed to a MAF metering system in 1994 and was rated at 270 hp. In addition,
the drop top was back in 1994. 1995 saw the addition of a vented opti-spark,
which is known as one of the major issues with the LT1, and the horsepower was
bumped up to 275. In 1996, the WS6 performance package was introduced for the
trans am coupes which included Ram air and a handling and performance package.
The WS6 was also an option on the Formula, and the WS6 package included
functional ram air, 17 inch five spoke aluminum wheels, and dual exhausts. The
horsepower was again bumped up to 285 @ 5000 RPM on the standard LT1 and 305 hp
@ 5000 RPM on the Ram Air LT1. Not much changed in 1997, the car had the same HP
and torque numbers and appearance. The models offered between 1993 and 1997 were
the firebird, formula, trans am, and a 300 hp SLP firehawk which covered the 1/4
mile in 13.53 seconds at 103.5 mph and went from 0 to 60 in 4.9 seconds. Between
1993 and 1997, GM sold over 167,000 firebirds. Four wheel disc brakes were
standard on all Formula and trans ams.
In 1998, the firebird changed once again with a much more
menacing and aggressive appearance. Another major change for the firebird was
the LS1 engine, which was an all aluminum 305 hp engine. The 1998 ram air
offered 320 hp to the driver, and torque also increased from 325 ft lbs to 345
ft lbs of torque from 1997 to 1998. 1999 was the 30th anniversary of the Trans
am and Pontiac released a special edition which came with special paint,
graphics, interior, and each was individually numbered. Not much changed in
regards to appearance or performance in 2000. On Sept. 25th 2002, General Motors
announced the fact that the Firebird and Camaro would be dropped after 2002,
which they termed "hiatus". In 2002, we seen the last of the breed and a sad
year for those who had grown to love the power, performance, and handling of the
pontiac firebird.
Written by Bob
Over the years Pontiac has decided to throw a little branded
"Excitement" at the public, here are a few prime examples of option packages
made available to consumers who crave that extra performance:
Package: 3rd gen 1LE Performance package available for
Camaros and Firebirds
Years Available: 1988 - 1992
Production Numbers for the 1LE Trans Am:
1988 - 3
1989 - 26
1990 - 4
1991 - 62
1992 - 9
3rd Generation 1LE models started life as:
-
5.0 TPI engine with 5 speed or 5.7 TPI engine
-
Optional axle ratio (G92) (305/3.45, 350/3.27) and its
required options
-
Air conditioning delete (C41) (standard heater)
The 3rd Generation 1LE package:
- Fog lamp delete
- Aluminum driveshaft (JG1) (part # 10085375)
- Performance exhaust system (N10) (dual catalytic converters)
- Special deflected disc shocks * Aluminum spare wheel with smaller spare
tire (N64)
- Lower control arms (part # 10164151)
- Larger (11.86 inch) front rotors (part # 18016035)
- Larger front spindles (part #'s 18016737 / 18016738)
- PBR front, dual-piston aluminum calipers (part #'s 10132827 / 10132828)
- Special swinging fuel pickup in gas tank and special 18 gallon baffled
fuel tank for fuel pickup down to .5 gallon reserve to prevent fuel starvation
in hard cornering
- Some came with special 16" x 8" light alloy mesh wheels (XWL)
Package: 4th gen 1LE performance package for Camaros, Firebirds, and
in 2001 and 2002 for the Firehawk
Years Available: 1993-2002
Production Numbers for the 1LE Firebird/Firehawk:
1993 - 3
1994 - 0
1995 - 2
1996 - 10
1997 - 14
1998 - 14
1999 - 20
2000 - not available
2001 - 60
2002 - 0
4th Generation 1LE's started life as either Camaro Z28's or Firebird
Formula's with these options:
- Basic option group (FZAB/1SA)
- A/C delete (until 1996 when A/C became standard)
- 6-speed tranny or performance rear axle with the automatic (GU5/G92)
- Z-rated tires w/ 150 speedo (QLC/QLC)
- Base stereo
The 4th generation 1LE package:
- Higher rate front springs (360 lbs/in for mid-1994 and after)
- Variable rate rear springs (130-180 lbs/in for mid-1994 and after)
- Stiffer front and rear shocks (Koni double adjustable for 1996 and after)
- Harder bushings (front upper/lower and rear control arms)
- Larger diameter anti-sway bars (32mm front, 21mm/19mm rear)
- Increased cooling (for 1995 and after)
- Engine oil cooler (1993 - 1995)
The 1993 1LE's had the same springs and deCarbon shocks, but stiffer as the
stock Z28s and Formulas. The first 1994 1LE cars received the same set-up, but
sometime between December 1994 and March 1995 the 1LE's received stiffer
springs. From the change to the spring rate, came thinnner sway bar, the same
sway bar used on the stock Z28's and Formula's. Starting in 1996, Koni double
adjustable shocks became standard on the 1LE cars. A better cooling system was
introduced in 1995 continued through to other models. This was accomplished by
the addition of an air conditioning radiator baffle even though no AC was
available in 1995. Air conditioning became part of the package in 1996. Also,
after 1995, in order to get the 1LE on the Firebird or Trans Am you had to order
the WS6 package.
Package: 4th generation WS6 performance package for Firebird Trans Ams
and Formulas from 1997-2000
Years Available: 1996-2002
Production Numbers:
1996 - 2,051
1997 - 3,804
1998 - 2,835
1999 - 3,397
1999 30th Ann. WS6 - 1,600
2000 - 8,424
2001 - 7,869
2002 - not available
Another performance package, much more popular, and more widely produced:
- Ram Air hood and air intake (like that of the Firehawk)
- Freer flowing exhaust system
- Higher rate front springs (360 lbs/in)
- Variable rate rear springs (130-180 lbs/in)
- Stiffer front and rear shocks
- Harder bushings
- Larger diameter front anti-sway bar (32mm)
- Increased cooling
- 17 inch wheels with 275/40ZR/17 tires
The intake and exhaust add an 30 extra HP giving WS6 cars a total 305 HP
-Chris Caceres 2005
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