Pontiac Firebird

The Firebird was a pony car ( a compact sports car ) of the American automobile manufacturer Pontiac, part of the General Motors Corporation (GM). During the time that Chevrolet developed the Camaro, Pontiac decided to work with Chevrolet and built on the basis of the first Camaro Firebird. Your birth saw the two as competing models for the Ford Mustang designed cars during the muscle car era in 1966 and 1967.

Development

On January 27, 1967, five months after the Camaro 's debut, the first Firebird in the variants Coupé and Convertible ( Cabriolet ) was presented. The sale began on 23 February 1967 - the starting price was $ 2,666 for the 6 - cylinder version with 3- speed gearbox. Further engine variants have included a V8 with 184 kW ( 250 hp) or 210 kW ( 285 hp).

Under John DeLorean, manager of the Pontiac Motor Division General and later founder of the sports car manufacturer DMC, found the chassis of the Camaro and the name of the turbine-driven show cars Firebird XP -21 from the 1950s use to develop the first Firebird. The used both for the Camaro as well as on the Firebird F- Body platform was produced in four generations and over a period of 35 years. With each new generation of the Firebird and F- Body received a complete overhaul.

The Pontiac Firebird was offered with different equipment, engines and extras in the variants Esprit, Formula, or Trans Am, the Trans Am is the most powerful model showed. Basically, the Firebird were equipped with a V6 engine and the Trans Am with V8 engine. The success of the powerful yet affordable coupe based on an existing high-volume platform also called numerous Japanese producers on the scene. So Toyota developed with the Celica, Honda Prelude and Mitsubishi with the Eclipse with competing models for Firebird. In order to continue to ensure the attractiveness of the Camaro and Firebird models, GM developed in the 1970s and early 1980s, many high-performance versions like the Z28, the Iroc and the Trans-Am.

At its heyday over 155,000 Firebirds were produced per year. Towards the end of the 1990s, demand over the period of 10 years back by 53 %. The production numbers were on average only 35,000 vehicles, so GM decided the end of the F -body platform.

In September 2002 the production of the Firebird was discontinued after 35 years.

Generations

Pontiac Firebird, 1967-1969

Pontiac Firebird 1968

After the launch on February 23, 1967 took place, sales of 82 560 vehicles had already been reached in the first year of production. Thus, the vehicle was a complete sales success. The motorization ranged from 3.8-liter 6- cylinder engine with 85 kW (115 hp) to the 6.6 -liter 8- cylinder with 239 kW ( 325 hp). In the first year of the Firebird was used as a pace car at the Daytona International Speedway.

The model of 1968 differed only slightly, for example by new, wrap-around front turn signals. 107 112 copies were built. The engine output increased at 6.6 -liter engine to 250 kW ( 340 hp).

The vintage 1969 received a major revision that was visible on the front end with a more typical brand- grill with four headlights. The base model cost $ 2,821. As a top model of the Trans Am was introduced. A total of 87 708 vehicles were built, of which 689 Trans Am.

Pontiac Firebird, 1970-1981

Pontiac Firebird, 1970-1974

The second generation of the " fire bird " was redesigned and should contain a touch of Italian design.

The first model from 1970 seemed smaller than its predecessor at first glance, although the dimensions remained largely unchanged. The customers were not so happy with the new design - it was only 48 739 copies sold. From top model TransAm Ram Air IV with 272- kW -6 0.6 liter engine just 88 cars were built. In 1971, the 7.5 - liter engine with 246 kW/335 hp was introduced due to new emissions and mileage requirements. The base model now cost $ 3,000 - the Trans Am, it gave $ 4,595. Externally distinguishable were the 71er models through the oversized rear spoiler for the Formula 400 and Trans Am. The sales figures remained with 53,125 pieces remain low.

In 1972, the Firebird remained basically unchanged - but sales fell to 29 951 pieces. There were initial considerations to set the Firebird series.

In 1973, the engine power was no longer the selling point - the era of muscle cars seemed to be over. The Firebird this year received a major overhaul of the interior, the body remained virtually unchanged. The motorization ranged from 4.1 -liter 6- cylinder with 110 kW/150 hp or the 7.5 - liter eight-cylinder engine with 213 kW/290 hp. The sales figures rose to 46 313 pieces. By 1974, the body shape has been revised. The front fascia has been redesigned aerodynamically, which met with the approval of the customers. 73 729 cars were built.

Further changes followed in 1975: A new, larger rear window and the front grille, additional built-in headlights featured this model. The engine power was significantly reduced - and continues available 7.5 -liter engine only had 147 kW (200 hp). The base model had a 4.1 - liter engine with 74 kW (100 hp) and cost $ 3,713. The Firebird was yet again a success: 84 063 examples were built. For the 200 - year anniversary of the U.S. Declaration of Independence, the Firebird was once again changed externally. It 110 775 vehicles were built; from the top model, the Trans Am with the 7.5 -liter 147 kW engine, but only 110 copies.

1977 was the front end of the Firebird further revision: Two rectangular headlights were integrated into the front grille. A new engine range has been introduced. On all units, it was standard motors of Buick, Chevrolet, Oldsmobile and Pontiac. Top engine was the 6.6 -liter Pontiac engine with 147 kW (200 hp). With 155 735 vehicles built, the new model was a great success. Therefore, it was not changed for 1978, and the number of 187 294 vehicles sold, confirmed this decision. The starting price was $ 4,593.

Also in 1979 was awarded the front end a major overhaul. Pontiac so goodbye to the previous grille.

The four headlights were inserted separately into the schadows. The engine range extended from 3.8-liter with 107 kW (145 hp) to the 6.6 - liter engine with 162 kW (220 hp). With 211 453 vehicles built, the Firebird, developed by 1979 the most successful model of the entire series. In 1980, however, just sold still half on vehicles - 107 340 pieces, although the appearance had not changed. But standing at maximum power only a 5 - liter engine with 110 kW ( 150 hp ) or a 4.9 - liter turbo engine with 154 kW (210 hp). The starting price was $ 6000 just.

For 1981, the Firebird was also largely without changes - the third generation model was about to launch. Even the engine remained the same. This year, 70 889 units were built.

Pontiac Firebird, 1982-1992

Pontiac Firebird, 1982-1985

In 1982, a new generation of the Firebird came on the market - with a more modern, sportier body. The model variant Trans Am was the launch of a futuristic marvel car KITT presented in the television series Knight Rider. A key feature was the pop-up headlights. The motorization ranged from 2.5 - liter four-cylinder with 67 kW to 5- liter 8- cylinder with 121 kW (165 hp). The starting price rose to $ 7,996. Nevertheless, a total of 116 362 vehicles were built.

Hardly changed the model launched in 1983, of the 74 884 vehicles were built. 1984, customers received back more engine power, the 5 -liter Trans-Am now had 140 kW (190 hp ), the $ 8,349 expensive entry-level model of the Firebird over 125 hp. Through this range of engines Pontiac was rewarded with 128,304 vehicles sold.

There was also a 1984 Firebird study as a combination that was never built in series.

In 1985, the body was changed to details such as the front and rear sections for better aerodynamics, as well as details in the interior. This design was then determined and the appearance of the following models. 95 880 vehicles were sold.

In 1987, the Pontiac convertible variant of the third -generation Firebird on the market. However, the model range was limited - there was only the standard model from $ 10,359 and the Trans Am from $ 13,259. The four-cylinder engine was deleted. The Standard Model has been offered as a model formula with 5.0 -liter engine, and a total of 88 587 vehicles were built.

In 1988, the 86- mph speedometer was replaced (138 km / h) through a 120 - mph speedometer (193 km / h). In addition, the Firebird received new rims. The motorization ranged from 2.8 - liter engine with 99 kW (135 hp) to the 5.7 - liter engine with 165 kW (225 hp). A total of 62 455 vehicles were built.

In 1989, the following vehicle remained virtually unchanged. The sales figures fell to 64 404 copies. Also in 1990 learned the Firebird no changes, the numbers continued to fall to just 20,532 vehicles.

Mid-1990, then followed the revised Firebird with his typical front end, which was maintained until the end of 1992. The engine range extended from 3.1 - liter engine with 103 kW ( 140 hp) to the 5.7 - liter engine with 182 kW ( 247 hp), which was used in the TransAm GTA. This 1991's model was built in 50,454 copies.

Hardly changed followed the 1992 vintage as the last representative of the third generation with a sale of 25 180 vehicles.

Pontiac Firebird, 1993-2002

Pontiac Firebird, 1993-1998

In early 1993, began production of the fourth and last generation.

The body shape was designed slightly rounded. As engines were exclusively the 3.4-liter V6 engine with 109 kW ( 148 hp ) and the 5.7-liter V8 engine with 198 kW ( 269 hp) available. A convertible version was not available. ABS and airbags were standard. The starting price was $ 14,485. Only 14,112 cars were built.

For 1994, the Firebird remained virtually unchanged, in addition, a convertible was now available. 805 Of the 45,782 vehicles built accounted for them on the open version.

The subsequent model year also brought no major changes. 1995 50.986 vehicles were built.

In 1996 there were again more engine power: The 3.8-liter V6 offered now had 144 kW (196 hp) and the 5.7-liter V8 210 kW (286 hp). 30,937 copies were built. For model year 1997, the Firebird remained largely unchanged.

In mid-1998 the Firebird received a new front end and more power - 224 kW ( 305 hp) for the 5.7-liter V8, in conjunction with the WS 6 Ram Air Package 235 kW (320 hp). In 1999 there was the 30th anniversary of the Firebird again a limited edition of 1500 pieces special edition. The convertible of WS 6 Ram Air was limited to 500 pieces. In the color black and with manual transmission it was the WS6 even only 193 times.

To the end of production of the fourth generation model in the summer of 2002, the special models of the " Collector's Edition" (CE) were brought out. Visually, this could be seen especially on the yellow paint and the vinyl stickers on the front, side and rear.

Motors

Acceleration, top speed, quarter mile

3rd generation:

3.1 l, LH0: 0-100 km / h: 9.0 s; Vmax: 180 km / h ( electronically limited );

5.7 l, L98: 0-100 km / h: 6.1 s; Vmax: 235 km / h;

4th generation:

5.7 liter, LS1: 0-100 km / h: 5.0 s; Vmax: 260 km / h;

Swell

Tad Burness: American Car Spotter 's Guide 1966-1980. Motorbooks International, ISBN 0-87938-102-7.

Others

A Pontiac Trans Am, built in 1977 was in the movie A Smokey and the Bandit with Burt Reynolds use.
A 1982 Pontiac Trans Am played as K.I.T.T. in the television series Knight Rider with David Hasselhoff the lead role.
A yellow Pontiac Firebird fourth generation drove Mark Wahlberg in the movie The Big Hit.
A red Pontiac Firebird, built in 1970 plays a role in the movie American Beauty.
A Pontiac Firebird Esprit in the equipment was an integral part of the series The Rockford Files - Just call which was, however, equipped with a unit of the Trans Am, to perform stunts with the vehicle also can. The protagonist of the series, James Garner, opted for the Esprit and not for the Trans Am since the model better fit his opinion on the role of Jim Rockford, who was always short of money at the end of the month.
A 1967 Pontiac Firebird went Niobe in The Matrix Reloaded.
A green 1973 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am drove John Wayne in the movie McQ strikes of 1974.
A 's 1981 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am Turbo drove Officer Frank Murphy in the movie Blue Thunder, contrary to a statement made in the movie.
A red Pontiac Trans Am second-generation James Franco drove in the series Freaks and Geeks.
In the movie Cannonball David Carradine drove a red Trans Am 2nd generation.

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