History/Background

In March of 1969, the Firebird Trans Am became available. In its first year of production, the Trans Am was an option package, WS4, available on the coupe or convertible. It consisted of the 400 HO engine, three-speed manual transmission, heavy-duty suspension with front and rear sway bars, power steering and brakes, and Safe-T-Track rear. Visually, the Trans Am could be identified by the functional front fender air extractors, dual hood-roof-deck stripes, a hood that had wider scoops located just behind the bumper, a blacked-out grill and a rear deck spoiler. In the interior, the Trans Am got three-spoke wood-grain steering wheel. Optional was the 400 Ram Air IV engine, with a four-speed manual or Turbo Hydra-matic automatic transmission. Trans Am decals were located on the front fenders. The Trans Am was available in only one color, Cameo White.

A total of 697 Trans Am were built -- 634 with the 400 HO engine, broken down as 114 with a manual transmission and 520 with the automatic. Ram Air IV powered Trans Ams were produced as follows: forty-six with manual and nine with the automatic. There were eight convertibles built were all powered by the 400 HO and were split evenly between manual and automatic transmissions.

With the creation of the second generation, Pontiac was in on the design from the beginning. According to most sources, the overall appearance of the Camaro/Firebird was greatly influenced by Pontiacs stylists. DeLorean guided the new styling by insisting on a European look. They were also able to differentiate the Bird with unique body sculpture lines creating a smoother less angular look than that of the Camaro. The only carryover model for 1970 was the Trans Am. Everything was new from the sheet metal to the engines, suspension, steering, brakes and even the names. The Trans Am came with the 400,in two versions; 335 HP RAM AIR III, with the Ram Air IV available only by special order. despite an industry wide drop in engine Hp for 1971 Pontiac introduced the 455 cid engine in the Firebird and Trans Am. The 455 was HO version rated at 265 net HP. The Trans Am came standard with the 455. For 1972 the top engine was again the 455 in the Trans AM with the 300 net HP LS5 engine. In 1973 the big news was the introduction of the SD (Super Duty) 455 available only in the Formula and Trans Am; rated at 310 HP these were the last of the muscle engines of the 70s. The SD 455 was again offered in 1974 but was derated to 290 HP. Firebirds muscle car days were defnitely coming to an end as were all of the other muscle cars. Horsepower cuts continued in 1975 with the 455 available only in the Trans Am rated at only 200 HP, a drastic reduction from 290 the year before. 1976 was the last year for the now crippled 455, available only in the Trans Am. In 1976 the top blocks were the 403 cid rated at 200 HP and the 400 at 185 HP. For 1978 a new 305 Chevy engine was available with 145 HP The 400 and 403 engines were also available with 200 and 185 HP respectively. For 79 the 403 and 400 got most of the attention with the 403 now rated at 220 HP and an all time record 211,454 Firebirds were sold including 117,109 10th anniversary Trans Ams. Some of the Trans Ams were dressed up as Indy 500 Pace Cars. In 1980 sales plumeted to only 107000 cars; a V6, three versions of the 301 cid Pontiac built V8 at 140, 155 and the 210 turbo version. 1981 saw a large number of power options with the V6 a new 265 cid (4.3 l) V8, a 305 cid (5.0 l) 4 bbl V8 and two 301 cid engines rated at 155 and 210 HP. This would be the last year for the 301s. The most famous Trans Am the bandit inspired by the movie Smokey and the Bandit was also created in 1981 by an east cost firm which transplanted a 462 cid mill into 200 Trans Ams along with a 5 speed trany and upgraded suspension. The 1981 Datona 500 Pace Car was released to commemorate the third straight Datona 500 race paced by the Trans Am.

After 11 years of incremental refinements in styling, handling and options, GM revised one of the most successful designs ever when they debuted the 1982 F-bodies. The emphasis was on efficiency. The drag coefficient for the new Firebird was one of the lowest of any car. Engine choices were fewer than Pontiac enthusiasts were used to and were geared toward fuel economy. The styling theme of the redesign was the aircraft. This is apparent in the smooth flowing lines of the body and the appearance of the dash with its large round gages. It was during this third generation that performance as we knew it would return starting late in 1989. The 350 cid Corvette motor would find its way under the Firebird hood and technology provided performance while maintaining good fuel economy. The Third Generation Firebirds were born. Sales of the 1982 Firebird at 116,362 were the highest since 1979; almost half of the total were Trans Ams. The Trans Am sported the 5.0 liter dual throttle body V8 engine with 185 HP. For 1983 and 1984 power offerings remained practically unchanged with two 5.0 L engines with the top rating at 150 HP offered in the Trans AM. Refinements in handling, performance and appearance continued for 1985 with the biggest change in the Trans Am. A new ground effects package gave the Trans Am the look of speed and the Bird on the hood was back even if smaller than before. A Trans Am paced the Datona 500 as it had in the previous 4 years. Performance was also back with the 190 and 205 HP, 5.0 L engines. For 1986 power options remained virtually identical. The 1987 Trans Am GTA was available with the 350 cid (5.7 L) Chevy V8 sporting a potent 210 HP mill. Most of the incentive for the HP increases were coming from the 5.0 L Ford Mustang; the car that helped spaun the F-bodies was assisting in their rebirth as true muscle cars and probably kept them once again from extinction. The more muscle trend continued into 1987 with the tuned port 5.7 L, 235 HP engine available in the Trans Am and Formula models. Three 5.0L engines with 170, 190 and 215 HP were also available.

The Firebird began its true horsepower comeback with the 1989 1/2 Trans Am offering a turbocharged Buick V6 engine rated at 250 HP; impressive for a 3.8 l engine (231 cid). Car and Driver tested a car and found 0-60 time of 6.3 seconds and 1/4 mile ET of 13.9 seconds. In 1992 Firebird upped the performance ante considerably offering the Formula Firehawk available with RPO B4U, a super duty Chevy 350 HP, 5.7 litre engine producing 390 lb-ft of torque. EPA mileage rated at 25 mpg highway, the Firehawk did 0-60 in 4.6 seconds and turned in a 107 mph trap speed with an ET of 13.2 seconds (only 0.1 second slower than the 405 HP ZR-1 Corvette). The Firehawk met all emission standards and came with standard warranty. This is muscle in the 60s and 70s tradition. Fourth generation 1993-1995 Firebirds were offered in a Formula and Trans Am version with the LT1, 275 HP, modified Corvette engine. The Trans Am with 6 speed manual and 3.23 performance rear end turned 0-60 in 5.4 seconds with a 14.2 second 1/4 mile at 99 mph. The 1998 Pontiac Firebird Formula was offered with an LS1 engine rated at 320 HP (with the WS6 ram air option) and 345 lb-ft of torque. For 1999 the Firehawk with the modified Corvette LS1 engine and Ram Air puts out 322 HP which is equivalent to approximately 400 to 410 gross horsepower of the 60s.