Check the options right, and you could get bigger engines, better trim levels and special editions, as long as you were willing to make the payments. But just like the Mustang (and the Firebird's GM sibling, the Camaro) it was as tame as an actual pony in more affordable trim levels, and so proved popular with those who wanted to look cool, even if they weren't interested in going fast. It was a direct rival to the Ford Mustang and went for the same long-hood, short-deck look, and had a performance-orientated image calculated to appeal to a youthful market. Models that came with GS-C or RS-A tires were limited to 123 mph.The Pontiac Firebird is a classic American 'pony' car – a sporty 'compact' car with an exotic look and lots of power. V8 models that had Z rated tires had a speed limiter set to 162 mph. Typically, these limits were 105, 112, 118 mph for the V6 models, but these limits varied from car to car. Top Speeds for both the V6 and the V8 versions were governed according to their factory tire ratings. The V6 models were as quick as almost any V8 produced before 1990, while the V8 Firebirds were faster than almost anything produced in the muscle car era (including all Firebirds). The average ¼ mile times for these were 15.2 90 mph for the V6 and 13.4 106 mph for the V8. The rare Firehawk model made by SLP and sold through Pontiac dealerships had 330 hp (345 after 2000). They featured an all aluminum 5.7L V8 designated the LS1, with 305 hp (310 after 2000), or 320 hp (325 after 2000) for the Ram Air version. The LS1 Firebirds, despite their poor sales, were among the fastest ever produced. The plant closed down after producing the last cars. Like the Chevrolet Camaro, the Firebird and Trans Am were built in Sainte-Thérèse, Quebec. The final model year, 2002, offered a distinctive 35th anniversary edition that paid homage to the 1969 Trans Am. These 1998 to 2002 models are sometimes referred to as "fifth generation" Firebirds. In 1998, the Firebird received a new front fascia (now with four pop-up headlights the Camaro's front end was also switched, to two oval headlamps) and other modifications, the most significant of which was the Corvette small block V8 engine known as the LS1. The LT1's hp rating had been raised to 285 thanks to a new dual cat exhaust system.Īs before, the Camaro kept the exposed headlights and the Firebird its pop-up units, with some minor changes. 1996 and later models had a 200 hp 3.8 L V6 as the base engine. The LT1 was very similar to the one in the Corvette C4, only with 2 bolt mains, and a more restrictive intake/exhaust system. In 1993-1995 (1995 non-California cars) Firebirds received a 3.4 L V6 with 160 hp, or a 5.7 L 275 hp LT1 V8. The fourth generation Firebird continued the previous generation's aerodynamic formula, but while a desirable sports car, it was victim to falling sales. While primarily Pontiac-powered until 1981, Firebirds were built with several different engines from nearly every GM division. The vehicles were, for the most part, powered by various V8 motors of different GM divisions. The Firebird was introduced in the same year as the Mercury Cougar, which also shared a platform with another well-known pony car, the Ford Mustang. The car shared the same General Motors "F-Body" platform as the Chevrolet Camaro, also introduced in 1967. Available in both coupé and convertible body styles, the Firebird was characterized by its aggressive styling and affordable muscle car performance. The Pontiac Firebird was a sporty compact car built by the Pontiac Motor Division of General Motors and was manufactured from 1967 until 2002.
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