Test drive four generations of Pontiac Firebird: Power in the City

For over 35 years, GM's sports car has been the boldest pony car ever.

Pontiac Firebird, produced from 1967 to 2002, is considered the most ambitious pony car - with V8 engines and a displacement of up to 7,4 liters. Comparing his four generations, we must admit that the Americans are right: they really aroused strong feelings.

The advertising slogan "We create excitement" dates back to the 80s when Pontiac introduced the third generation Firebird. The model is 16 centimeters shorter and almost 200 kilograms lighter than its five-meter predecessor. With a practical tailgate, relatively fuel-efficient engines, and the lowest air resistance ever achieved by a General Motors (GM) car, the legacy coupe could have a safe future—or so it seemed then.

35 years later, the end of Firebird comes

However, twenty years later, in 2002, GM discontinued the Firebird lineup with its twin. Chevrolet Camaro. To make matters worse, the Pontiac brand, which has been around since 1926 and has a particularly sporty profile at GM, was completely phased out in the crisis year of 2010. The most respectable part of its heritage is its compactness (according to the American understanding) Firebird lineup.

Thanks to the active communities of American car owners in Stuttgart, it was possible to invite a V8 representative of each of the four generations of Firebird to a joint session for photos and driving, from the early competitor of the 1967 Mustang to the rival that appeared in 2002. on the Porsche 911. Apart from the name, the only things they have in common are V8 engines with 188 to 330 hp, a rigid rear axle, meager rear seat space and the Firebird logo with outstretched wings. However, the four bodies are significantly different from each other, and it is difficult to detect family resemblance in them.

Model – Mustang.

Designed by none other than John DeLorean, the look of the first generation Firebird (1967) is clearly based on the competitor introduced in 1964. Ford Mustang - long front cover, short stepped back. Added to this is the sexy hip curve in front of the rear wheel and the quintessential Pontiac bisected by a prominent chrome nose grille. In addition, almost all window frames, wide sill moldings and rear bumper shine with metallic coolness in an extravagant style of the 60s. Chrome is present everywhere in the interior: on the three-spoke steering wheel, the automatic transmission lever and its rectangular console, as well as on various switches. Does that mean this beautiful vinyl-topped Firebird is nothing more than a self-absorbed show car for relaxed boulevard driving?

The first Firebird has a 6,6-liter V8 and a comfortable chassis.

Of course not. Under the hood is a 6,6-liter V8 with 325 hp. At the SAE, the moment is expected when he will be allowed to race on a relatively compact, weighing 1570 kilograms pony car. Even while on site, the 400cc three-speed automatic transmission CM responds spontaneously to the most gentle commands of the accelerator pedal. A stronger push - and the rear wheels are already piercing whimpers begging for mercy, and the car vigorously rushes forward. Just be careful! Comfortable suspension and inaccurate power steering require careful planning for any change in direction. In a pinch, good disc brakes on the front wheels should prevent the worst.

Trans Am with gold stripes and John Player Special design

Now let's briefly look at the black giant with gold stripes in the style of Lotus from the Formula 1 of the 70s. For the Trans Am Limited Edition, Pontiac designer John Shinela adopted the color scheme from sponsor cigarette manufacturer John Player Special. Trans Am, decorated with gold stripes, appears on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the Pontiac brand. The proposed special model later became really popular thanks to the motoring film Smokey and the Bandit (1977, Part II, 1980) - an orgy of drifts with Burt Reynolds at the wheel.

But how much has changed our pony with curved hips! With the same wheelbase, the body has grown by 20 cm to an impressive five meters in length. The front lid along with the Pontiac's split-in-two grille is the size of a motel double bed. Part of the responsibility for this lies with the 1974 protective bumpers, which extend the second generation 1970 Firebird by as much as ten centimeters.

Large V8 block with displacement up to 7,4 liters.

Now the vision is not as dynamic as before, but earns points more for the frankly massive posture of the star from the wrestling series. It successfully combines the large V8 engine block of 6,6 (400 cubic inches) and even 7,4 liters (455 cubic inches), which were produced until 1979, respectively. 1976 Chevrolet Camaro dual model is deprived of the large V8 since 1973.

Despite its sheer size, the black and gold Trans Am – as the top-of-the-line versions have been called since 1969 – pampers customers with exquisite details such as honeycomb-structured alloy wheels. Or with a unique instrument panel in authentic race car style, in which simple circular elements are cut into the brushed aluminum front panel. Added to this is a beautiful leather steering wheel that would be in place in a Ferrari or Lamborghini.

Self-confidence 188 c.s. at 3600 rpm

Unfortunately, since 1972, many horses have been lost in the course of legislative reductions in emissions and fuel consumption. So it was with our 1976 model - from about 280 hp. The DIN predecessor with the same 6,6-liter V8 has only 188 hp here. They are now moving at a very quiet 3600rpm to a still-suspended rear axle that handles them quite successfully – car size, chassis quality and engine power are in perfect harmony and slightly controlled. better than the previous model. Plus, 9,5 seconds from 0 to 100 km/h is still good for a 1750-pound heavyweight. And when the deafening roar of the Trans Am Limited Edition rolls down the highway, other drivers simply don't see his golden tattoos.

The third Firebird is an economical sports coupe with a large tailgate.

But that's where the fun ends. In 1982, Pontiac introduced the third generation Firebird. Its most powerful version, the Trans Am GTA, came out in 1987 and claimed to be a "very serious sports coupe." But the spirit of the times is different. Installed on all sides spoilers other than the base color and the "screaming chicken" on the front cover became taboo. America gets an economical and practical sports coupe with a large tailgate. The base engine is a 2,5-liter four-cylinder unit with a capacity of 90 hp, giving phlegmatic dynamics to a car weighing 1,4 tons. The most powerful V8 in the Trans Am version is satisfied with only 165 hp. working volume five liters.

The situation changed in 1988 with the advent of TPI (Tuned Ported Injection) V8 engines with a displacement of five (305 cc) and 5,7 liters (350 cc), the power of which reached 215 cc. 225 h.p. And since the third-generation V8 versions of the Firebird, even when fully equipped, weigh no more than 1,6 tons, they are back on track almost as quickly as the first 1967 model.

Pontiac Firebird Trans Am GTA is a competitor to Porsche 928 and Toyota Above

The top-end Trans Am GTA with a 1987-liter V1992, which was offered from 5,7 through 8, is very close to Japanese and German competitors such as the Toyota Supra or the Porsche 928. In this rivalry, it relies on a tightly fitted chassis. wide tires with size 245, limited slip differential and direct steering. Unlike its two predecessors, the model shifts the first two of the four gears of its automatic transmission with rather sharp jerks. And when driving fast on the highway, the salon turns into a sauna.

Debuting in 1993 and shaped with rounded edges, the heir looks more poised but weighs like a beast. We are delighted to be seated in one of the truly final 2002 Firebirds, the Collector Edition. Thanks to the sloping windows and the softened "bio-design", the interior looks no more spacious than in the Renault Clio. However, this is completely indifferent to us - after all, there is enough space for the right leg. Although at 4500 rpm the GTA starts to lose power a little, it is just as big, but already at 100 hp. The more powerful Ram Air V8 continues to pull well and picks up the bait up to 6000 rpm.

The latest Pontiac Firebird goes like a beast

With a six-speed manual transmission, 100-5,5 km/h is possible in 260 seconds and a top speed of over 7,4 km/h. These are values ​​that none of the legendary predecessors could achieve, including the big XNUMX-litre engine. Even the handling is quite decent - despite the length of almost five meters, the pleasantly rounded American copes with sharp turns almost in Italian. So what the two new Firebirds lack in charisma and quintessential American styling they make up for in surprisingly good manners on the track. That's why recognition extends to all four models: Yes! They really caused a stir!

Conclusion

Editor Franc-Peter Hudek: First of all, it's amazing how over the years GM has managed to bring the V8 engines back to their previous power levels. The rigid rear axle chassis has also been remarkably agile since the third generation. Unfortunately, later models lack the typical American look of the early years, for which today you have to pay much more.

Text: Frank-Peter Hudek

Photo: Arturo Rivas