The Top 6 Pontiac Firebirds in History

The Pontiac Firebird certainly had a short life compared to other GM models, but it still managed to shake the industry throughout its 35-year run. Born to compete with the Ford Mustang, the Firebird first stepped onto the muscle car scene in 1967 with an impressive V8 engine, curvy Coke bottle styling, and a relatively affordable price tag.

It wasn’t long before the Firebird acquired its own cult-like following and ended up butting heads with its cousin, the Chevrolet Camaro, more than the Mustang. GM directed most of its resources to the Camaro, limiting the Firebird from the get-go. However, that didn’t stop the Firebird at all.

Over the years, the Pontiac Firebird has gone from becoming a Hollywood star to a true pony car icon, thanks to a few stand-out models that solidified its name in the automotive industry.

1967 Pontiac Firebird – The Original Firebird

When it comes to iconic Pontiac Firebirds, you simply can’t leave out the original. The 1967 Pontiac Firebird wasn’t the most popular muscle car of its time but was arguably the most beloved. This two-door coupe came with four different engine options, the most powerful being a 6.6-liter V8 with a Ram Air option. Only 65 Pontiac Firebirds came with this powerful engine under the hood, making it one of the most rare first-generation Firebirds ever.

Aside from its sleek Coke bottle styling and distinct bumper, the 1967 Pontiac stood out among competitors thanks to its hood-mounted tachometer. Tachometers weren’t common in the late ‘60s, which was why gearheads were so excited when it became a factory-installed option in the original Firebird. A wide range of upgrades were also available, such as fold-down rear seats, bucket seats, and a remote-controlled trunk lid.

• Engine Specs: 6.6 L (400 cu in) V8
• Power: 325 horsepower @ 4,800 RPM
• Torque: 410 lb-ft @ 3,400 RPM
• 0 to 60 time: 5.7 seconds
• Top Speed: 116 mph
• Fuel Economy: 10 MPG combined

1969 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am Ram Air IV  – The Fastest Firebird

Released during the tail end of the first generation, the 1969 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am Ram Air IV changed the muscle car industry forever. It was the very first time Trans Am (short for Trans American Racing Series) Firebirds hit the market, and Pontiac fans were far from disappointed. Thanks to its powerful 400 cubic-inch V8 engine and a new, lighter aluminum intake manifold, the Trans Am Ram Air IV quickly became Pontiac’s most popular performance model.

Paired with its special high-flow tunnel-port heads, forged steel crank, and a special high-rpm (revolutions per minute) camshaft, the 1969 Firebird easily produced 345 horsepower. It’s actually the fastest Pontiac Firebird in history, at least among those that came straight from the factory.

To this day, the 1969 Trans Am remains one of the most well-known American muscle cars in history. Paired with an impressive engine, its sleek Polar White exterior with blue racing stripes and a trunk-mounted rear wing make it a pony car icon through and through.

• Engine Specs: 6.6L (400 cu in) V8
• Power: 345 horsepower @ 5,400 RPM
• Torque: 430 lb-ft @ 3,700 RPM
• 0 to 60 time: 5.1 seconds
• Quarter-Mile Time: 13.7 seconds
• Top Speed: 113 mph

1977 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am – The Hollywood Star

The Firebird rose to celebrity status in the late 1970s when the 1977 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am was featured prominently in the 1977 American action comedy film, “Smokey and the Bandit.”

This Firebird was far from the most powerful muscle car in the market, but being featured in the movie led to Pontiac nearly doubling production of the model from 1977 to 1979. It was so successful that Pontiac delayed the release of the third-generation Firebird by two years.

The 1977 Firebird boasted a 6.6-liter V8 engine under the hood, as well as a sleek black exterior with the iconic gold “hood bird.” To this day, the second-generation Firebird remains a collector’s item. A replica owned by Burt Reynolds himself sold at an auction for almost $500,000 in January 2022.

• Engine Specs: 6.6L (400 cu in) V8
• Power: 200 horsepower @3,600 RPM
• Torque: 325 lb-ft @ 2,400 RPM
• 0 to 60 time: 7.7 seconds
• Top Speed: 118 mph
• Fuel Economy: 12 mpg combined

1982 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am – The Original Knight Rider

The 1977 Firebird wasn’t the only Pontiac that rose to fame. In 1982, an action-adventure TV series called “Knight Rider” premiered, starring David Hasselhoff and a modified 1982 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am. Knight Industries Two Thousand, or KITT for short, was an indestructible, self-driving Trans Am with a sleek black exterior and a self-aware processor designed to protect human life at all costs.

The show was a huge success, helping Pontiac sell a lot of Firebirds and making Hasselhoff a star. Everybody wanted their very own KITT, with its high-tech features like Super Pursuit Mode, Silent Mode, built-in missiles, and flamethrowers. While the real Firebird didn’t have any of these features, it was still an attractive muscle car.

• Engine Specs: 305.2 cu in V-8
• Power: 189 horsepower @ 4,800 RPM
• Torque: 239 lb-ft @ 3,200 RPM
• 0 to 60 time: 7.2 seconds
• Top Speed: 124 mph
• Fuel Economy: 12 mpg combined

1989 Pontiac Firebird Turbo Trans Am – The 20th Anniversary Gift

With only 1,555 ever made, the 1989 Pontiac Firebird Turbo Trans Am remains one of the most sought-after muscle cars on the market. This special edition 20th anniversary model was the official pace car for the 73rd running of the Indianapolis 500. It came with a fortified chassis, promising better handling than its other competitors.

On paper, the 1989 Pontiac Firebird Turbo Trans Am produced around 245 horsepower, similar to the popular 1989 Chevrolet Corvette C4. In reality, it actually produced around 300 horsepower. Its 3.8-liter V6 engine had brand-new cylinder heads, a reworked turbocharger, and a four-speed 200-4R automatic transmission.

• Engine Specs: 3.8L (231 cu in) turbocharged Buick LD5 V6
• Power: 250 horsepower @ 4,400 RPM
• Torque: 340 lb-ft @ 2,800 RPM
• 0 to 60 time: 4.6 seconds
• Quarter-Mile Time: 13.4 seconds @ 101 mph
• Top Speed: 153 mph

2002 Pontiac Firebird Collector Edition – The Last Firebird

Every great show must come to an end, and after nearly four decades of success, it was unfortunately time for the Pontiac Firebird’s curtain call. Ending the Firebird’s fourth and last generation, Pontiac released the iconic 2002 Pontiac Firebird Collector Edition. Its bright yellow finish, black racing stripes, and Pontiac’s “screaming chicken” demanded attention, but its powerful 5.7-liter  V8 engine was what truly made it stand out.

There were only about 2,400 units of the Collector Edition made, around 500 of which were convertibles. The 2002 Firebird came with the WS6 performance package, which featured higher-rate springs, large sway bars, and Goodyear Eagle F1 performance tires as standard. It also came with a few upgrades, including a power antenna, power windows, remote keyless entry, and a T-top roof for coupe models.

• Engine Specs: 5.7L (345 cu in) V8 engine
• Power: 325 horsepower @ 5,200 RPM
• Torque: 350 lb-ft @ 4,000 RPM
• 0 to 60 time: 5.1 seconds
• Quarter-Mile Time: 13.5 seconds @ 107 mph
• Top Speed: 165 mph

It’s been over two decades since the Pontiac Firebird bid the automotive world goodbye, but there’s no denying that its popularity and influence on the industry remain strong to this day. There’s nothing quite like the Firebird in the market anymore. With its impressive performance, versatility, and charisma, the Pontiac Firebird continues to be a true muscle car icon.

The Pontiac Firebird’s Decline in Popularity

The third-generation Pontiac Firebird (1982-1992) saw poor performance because General Motors decided to discontinue Pontiac’s V8 engine in 1981. The 1982 redesign improved aerodynamics, shedding 500 pounds and featuring a sloped windshield with pop-up headlights, reflecting ’80s design trends.

While a 2.5-liter inline-six engine offered 32 highway mpg at 88 horsepower, muscle car fans could still opt for a 5.0-liter V8. However, due to government regulations, power output remained lower until later in the generation, when performance began to improve.

This generation still had objectively good cars, but they weren’t quite the same as the first two generations.

The last generation of Pontiac Firebirds was produced from 1993 to 2002. These models restored some of the lost power in previous years thanks to the inclusion of the LS1 5.7-liter V8 engine, offering 305–330 horsepower. However, declining sales led to the Firebird being discontinued in 2002.

What Kind of Car Is a Trans Am?

While they might share the same name, the Pontiac Firebird Trans Am isn’t the same as a Trans Am Series car. The earlier models of the Trans Am didn’t actually get the chance to participate in the Trans Am Series races because their smallest engine exceeded the Sports Car Club of America’s (SCCA) five-liter displacement limit. Despite this, Pontiac kept the Trans Am name and paid a $5 license fee to SCCA for each Trans Am sold just so they could keep using the name.

Are Firebirds and Trans Ams the Same Car?

No, they aren’t the same car. The Trans Am is a high-performance trim of the Pontiac Firebird, which means not all Firebirds are Trans Ams. Trans Ams significantly improved on different aspects of the Firebird, making them as popular as the Pontiac Firebird. They produced greater horsepower, had better suspension parts, and offered superior handling.

Ever since it first hit the market, the Trans Am made a name for itself and helped the Pontiac Firebird reach legendary status. Several Trans Am models appeared in different movies and shows, such as “Smokey and the Bandit,” “Rocky II,” and “Alphabet City.”

How Much Does a Trans Am Car Cost?

It’ll depend on the exact year model and condition of the vehicle, but secondhand Trans Am cars can cost over $250,000 for rare models of the Firebird. Fourth-generation Trans Ams typically sell for around $25,700, but if you’re lucky, you might find one being sold for as low as $5,500.