Pontiac Firebird (second generation)
The second generation Pontiac Firebird was introduced in early 1970 by Pontiac for the 1970 model year.
Overview
The second-generation debut for the 1970 model year was delayed until February 26, 1970, because of tooling and engineering problems; thus, its popular designation as a 1970½ model, while leftover 1969s were listed in early Pontiac literature without a model-year identification. This generation of Firebird was available in coupe form only; after the 1969 model year, convertibles were not available until 1989.The first generation’s "Coke bottle" curves were replaced with a less defined, smoother body style, with a very few traditional elements retained. The top of the rear window line went almost straight down to the lip of the trunk lid. The new design was initially had a large B-pillar similar to the second generation Camaro that shared the platform, until 1975 when a larger "wraparound" rear window was added. It was intended to be part of the original design, but problems with the glue and sealing the rear window led to the flat style window being used until the body was re-designed in 1975. This wraparound style became the look that was to epitomize the F-body styling for the longest period during the Firebird's lifetime.
Models
- Firebird
- Firebird Esprit
- Firebird Formula
- Firebird Trans Am
- Formula appearance package
- 50th Anniversary limited edition
- Special Edition appearance package, black with gold pinstriping
- Sky Bird Esprit appearance package
- Red Bird Esprit appearance package
- Yellow Bird Esprit appearance package
- Special Edition appearance package, gold with brown pinstriping
- 10th Anniversary Trans Am limited edition
- Turbo Trans Am Indianapolis pace car limited edition
- Turbo Trans Am "Daytona 500" pace car limited edition
- Macho Trans Am .
- Fire Am offered by Herb Adams/VSE
1970
The base model Firebird came equipped with a inline-six. The Firebird Esprit and the Firebird Formula came standard with the . The Esprit could be upgraded to a two barrel carbureted, while the Formula could be optioned to receive the L78 4 barrel 400 that produced or the L74 Ram Air III 400.
There were two Ram Air Pontiac V8 engine#400| engines available for the 1970 Trans Am: the L74 Ram Air III 400 and the L67 Ram Air IV that were carried over from 1969. The Ram Air IV was exclusive to the Trans Am, and could not be ordered on any of the lower Firebird models. The difference between the GTO and Firebird engines was that the secondary carburetor's throttle linkage had a restrictor which prevented the rear barrels from opening completely, but adjusting the linkage could allow full carburetor operation resulting in identical engine performance.
For the 1970 and 1971 model years, all Firebirds equipped with radios had the antennae mounted "in-glass" in the windshield.
1971
The 1971 model year had a few minor changes to the Firebird. Fenders across all models now featured a one-year-only exhaust vent seen on the lower half of the fenders. The interior options also changed to the newer style collared bucket seats in the deluxe interior, and the previous year's seats with the headrest were no longer available. The rear seat console was introduced as an option, and Honeycomb wheels became available for all Firebirds.1971 saw changes to the way the engines were rated from the factory. GM mandated that engines no longer use SAE Gross horsepower ratings and use the SAE Net power ratings to help alleviate the rising cost of insurance for performance vehicles. The compression ratio was also lowered for some of the models, de-tuning the power rating for some of the engines as part of new requirements for low-leaded fuels, however, the engine options remained mostly unchanged from 1970. As the limit for the compression ratio was lowered, this allowed for larger displacement engines to become available. The 455 was now available for the Firebird in two configurations. The 455 engine was available in the L75 version and the LS5 HO version. Both the 455 and 455 HO were available as engine options for the Firebird Formula, but the Trans Am received the 455 HO as standard equipment.
1972
During a 1972 strike, the Firebird were nearly dropped.The 1972 model year saw minor changes. A difference that differentiates a 1972 Firebird from the other 1970-73 Firebirds is the hexagonal honeycomb grille insert on the nose of the vehicle.
Engine options remained mostly unchanged, however, the L75 455 engine was dropped, but the LS5 455 HO remained as an option for the Formula and standard for the Trans Am. Pontiac advertised the 1972 455 HO as de-tuned to 300 hp, but the engine was unchanged from 1971.
Starting in 1972, and continuing until 1977, the Firebird was only produced at the Norwood, Ohio, facility.
1973
In 1973, the Trans Am added two new colors, Buccaneer Red and Brewster Green. Other exterior upgrades included the updated more modern nose bird. The new hood bird was option "RPO WW7 Hood Decal", a $55 option exclusive to Trans Am. The "Trans Am" decals were larger than previous versions and shared the same accent color schemes as the hood bird.Inside the 1973, Firebird the standard interior equipment was almost the same as prior years. The new "Horse Collar" optional custom interior featured new seat coverings and door panels. The 1973 Firebird also had to meet the new safety and emissions requirements for 1973. There were extra steel reinforcements in the bumper and core support to the fender.
The 1973 Trans Am engine displaced 455 cubic inches in the base L75 and the Super Duty LS2 option. The base 455 produced 40 fewer horsepower than the round port Super Duty 455. Horsepower for the base L75 455 was rated at 250 at 4,000 rpm and 370 lb/ft at 2,800 rpm. Pontiac removed the H.O. designation from the base engine, and simply decaled the now non-functioning shaker with "455".
The "all hand-assembled" LS2 SD455 engine was rated at 290 at 4,000 rpm and 395 lb/ft at 3,600 rpm. All Pontiac engines included a new EGR system, which delayed the SD-455 program until late into the production year. The shaker decal on the scoop read "SD-455".
The 1973 Trans Am introduced "Radial Tuned Suspension". When ordered, it included 15-inch radial tires. This delivered a more comfortable ride while also providing better cornering.
The 1973 Trans Am production was up over previous years, the L75 455 production was 3,130 with automatic and 1,420 with manual transmission. The special ordered $550 Option LS2 SD-455 production saw 180 automatics and 72 manuals.
1974
Curb weights rose dramatically in the 1974 model year because of the implementation of telescoping bumpers and various other crash- and safety-related structural enhancements; SD455 Trans Ams weighed in at in their first year of production.The 1974 models featured a redesigned "shovel-nose" front end and new wide "slotted" taillights. The 400, 455, and SD-455 engines were offered in the Trans Am and Formula models during 1974. A June 1974 test of a newly delivered, privately owned SD-455 Trans Am appeared in Super Stock and Drag Illustrated. With an unmodified car and a test weight of 4,010 lbs the testers clocked 14.25 seconds at 101 mph. The car had an automatic and A/C. Also, the factory rating of 290 hp was listed at 4,400 rpm while the factory tachometer has a 5,750 rpm redline. A production line stock 1974 SD455 produced 253 rear wheel HP on a chassis dyno, as reported by High Performance Pontiac magazine. This is also consistent with the 290 SAE net horsepower factory rating.
A 1974 Firebird was driven by Jim Rockford in the pilot movie and the first season of The Rockford Files; every following season, Rockford would change to the next model year. However, in the sixth season, Rockford continued to drive the 1978 Firebird from season five, as the star, James Garner, disliked the 1979 model's restyled front end. The cars in the show were badged as lower-tier Esprit models but were Formulas with the twin-scoop hood replaced with a scoopless one. Another hint was the twin exhausts and rear anti-roll bars that were not used on the Esprit.
1975
The 1975 models featured new wraparound rear windows that curved out to occupy more of the B-pillars, but the rear body shape and bumper remained unchanged. The turn signals were moved up from the valance panel to the grills, which helped distinguish the 1975 from the 1974 front end, as they are otherwise similar. This was also the last year of the larger-profile, larger-snout Formula hood for the Firebird Formula.The Super Duty engine and TurboHydramatic 400 three-speed automatic were no longer available in 1975. Due to the use of catalytic converters starting in 1975, the TH400 would not fit alongside the catalytic converter underneath the vehicle. The smaller TurboHydramatic 350 automatic was deemed suitable as the power output for the engine had significantly decreased from the earlier years. TH350 drew less power and also did not require an electronic kickdown system. The Pontiac L78 400 was standard in the Trans Am and the 455 was optional for both 1975 and 1976 models.
1975 also saw the start of the "500577" cast 400 engine blocks enter production. The 500577 cast blocks were considered a weaker cast, as they had a lower nickel content, had metal shaved off in the lower journals of the block to decrease the overall weight, cost, and emissions to meet the tightening smog restrictions. These blocks were used until the W72 engine reverted to the original specifications from the start of the decade with the 481988 cast in late 1977.
Originally, the L75 455 7.5L V8 was dropped entirely, but it returned mid-year, available only with a four-speed Borg Warner Super T-10, and it was no longer available for the Formula. Although it was brought back as the "455 HO", it was not the same engine as the 1971-72 LS2 455 HO seen in the earlier Firebirds. It was a standard D-port engine with a low profile camshaft and restrictive exhaust system that was also seen in the larger body Pontiac platforms. Power output was restricted to 200 HP with a torque rating of 330 lb⋅ft at 2,000 rpm. It was the largest displacement "performance" engine still available. Track testing in 1975 showed the 455 capable of 16.12 second quarter-mile time, which was similar to the L82 Corvette.