Pontiac firebird

The first-generation Firebird design was like a bottle of Coca-Cola . Unlike the Chevrolet Camaro , the Firebird bumpers were integrated into the front design, and the rear “chopped” headlights were borrowed from the Pontiac GTO design. Convertible and coupe models were offered until 1970. Initially, this car was like a “consolation prize” for Pontiac, who wanted to produce a two-seater sports car of its own design based on its Banshee concept. But General Motors was afraid that in this case there would be direct internal competition with the Chevrolet Corvette . As a result, it was decided to give Pontiac a common platform with the Chevrolet , called the F-body . A little upset about such a decision by senior management, Pontiac took the provided base and began to remake it both in terms of design and in terms of engineering solutions.

The basic Firebird model was delivered with a straight six (I-6) with an OHC gas distribution system (Overhead camshaft). Such a gas distribution system is the most common in the automotive industry. Engine power was provided using a single-chamber carburetor . The next Sprint model was equipped with a four- chamber carburetor and developed 215 horsepower (160 kilowatts). But, mainly, customers preferred V8 format engines: a 5.3-liter volume with a dual-chamber carburetor giving out 250 horsepower (180 kilowatts); HO model (High Output) with a four-chamber carburetor with a capacity of 285 horsepower (213 kilowatts); or a 6.6 liter (400 HO) engine borrowed from a 325 horsepower GTO model (242 kilowatts). In 1968, with the 400 HO engine, the Ram Air option was also offered, including functional hood air intakes, a low resistance intake system, stiffer valve springs and a modified camshaft . At that time, this option did not add power, but its peak was at higher speeds. Due to the use of not the most powerful engine from the line in this modification, the cost of Firebird N.O. was able to be kept low. .

Subsequently, 3.8-liter engines with 175 horsepower (130 kilowatts) with a single-chamber carburetor were replaced by a more powerful 4.1-liter engine developing 215 horsepower (160 kilowatts) with a four- chamber carburetor . Also for the 1968 model, the 5.3-liter engine was replaced with a 5.7-liter engine, the “HO” version of which had a modified combustion chamber and a power of 320 horsepower. Subsequently, engines of this volume (5.7l) became the most popular for cars of this class. The remaining engines did not receive a significant increase in power.

  In 1969, the optional Trans Am option became available.  This option cost the client $ 725 and improved the car’s handling and power, this option also slightly changed the appearance.  "Trans Am" got its name from the eponymous series, which was very popular in the USA at that time, and stands for Trans American - through America (free translation).  Initially, only 697 Trans Am were made, of which 8 were convertibles and 689 coupes .  That year, the Ram Air IV option was also available for the 6.6 liter engine, complementing the Ram Air III option; these engines developed 345 l / s and 335 l / s, respectively.  The engine with a volume of 5.7 liters was again finalized, after which it began to give out power of 330 l / s.  During 1969, a special engine of 5 liters was developed for the SCCA special road races, but it was not available to ordinary customers.

In terms of bodywork, the changes from the 1967 model to the 1968 model consisted in the appearance of side dimensions on bodies that the government obliged to put on all new models, in the front the turn signal lights found their understudies on the front wings, the Pontiac emblem appeared on the sides - “V ". Separate window panes also disappeared from the glazing of the doors. In the 1969 model , the front end has fundamentally changed - the new Endura bumper, new headlights and a radiator grill. The interior was redone dashboard and steering wheel. Also, the ignition switch migrated from the dashboard to the steering column and combined the start of the engine and the steering lock.

Due to some problems that delayed the release of the new generation of Firebird, and instead of the usual debut of the new model in September of this year, Pontiac continued to release the 1969 model. Moreover, in the spring of 1969, references to the year the model was released disappeared from all the literature and descriptions of Firebird and handouts. Thus, they tried to extend the sales of 1969 models.

The first-generation Firebird can easily be distinguished from the Chevrolet Camaro - Firebird has four headlights, while the Camaro has two.

The release of the 1970 model and the beginning of the second generation was delayed until February 26, 1970 due to engineering problems, and most often it is called the 1970 ½ model year, at the beginning of 1970 there were cars with a slightly changed appearance.

The second-generation Firebird threw aside the "bottle" design. The car became more squat, the upper edge of the rear windshield was almost flush with the roof, while the lower edge ended almost flush with the trunk lid. This specific type of car was assigned to the model for a long 11 years. The new design also featured a fairly wide rear pillar until 1975, when the rear window was enlarged. For the 1970 model, there were two 6.6-liter Ram Air engines: Ram Air III (325 horsepower, 366 horsepower for the Pontiac GTO ) and Ram Air IV (345 horsepower, 370 horsepower for the GTO ), which were inherited from the 1969 model. The difference in the power of the Firebird and GTO engines was to block the second carburetor chamber in the case of Firebird, the rest of the engines were identical.

A small change affected the front end in 1977, and another change in 1979.

From 1977 to 1981, the Pontiac Firebird was produced with four square headlights, while the Camaro continued to be produced with two round headlights, which were originally typical of both second-generation models. The mass of the front of the car has grown significantly as a result of the installation of the front bumper, which dampens the shock in case of an accident and other changes affecting safety. As a result, the Firebird Trans Am model weighed a terrifying 1,750 kilograms.

The 455th 7.5-liter engine, available for installation in the Trans Am modification of the second generation Firebird, was the last high-performance engine, which is deservedly considered the last of the legendary oil car generation engines. This engine first appeared in HO format in 1971. In 1973 and 1974, the engine was produced in a special version called the SD-455 .

SD-455 had a reinforced cylinder block, four-point mounting of crankshaft bearings and other amplifications. The plans were to release a completely new crankshaft, but in practice the SD455 was produced with a standard crankshaft with minimal improvements. Improved aluminum pistons, connecting rods and a block head with higher throughput were also used. The cylinder head was borrowed from the 1967 Pontiac GTO Ram Air. The valve lift was about 1.03 centimeters, the opening duration was 301/313 degrees and 76 degrees of overlap of opening the valves. A much more aggressive style of execution of the Ram Air IV injection chamber itself was planned for this engine (initially producing 310 horsepower), but, unfortunately, could not satisfy the more stringent emission requirements. As a result, this engine in a similar arrangement, with a compression ratio of 8.4: 1 (according to the passport, in reality the compression ratio was 7.9: 1), had a power of 290 horsepower. After the release of this car on the market from various sources began to receive data that the car is excessively fast for its 290 horsepower and 1750 kilograms. As a result, enthusiasts conducted comparative tests on which this arrangement showed 13.75 seconds per quarter mile (402 meters), while cars with special, not deep preparation for racing showed a minimum of 14.5 seconds at 157.68 kilometers per hour. This interested the High Performance Pontiac magazine, which decided to roll Firebird with such an arrangement onto a stand and test it. Everyone expected that the result would be above 290 horsepower, but no one expected a result of 371 horsepower! This was a real find for car enthusiasts of that time, but soon this engine was banned, as emission requirements became more and more stringent. As a result, the 1976 Firebird with the 455 engine was the last of the legendary "heavy-caliber" cars. In total, 7,100 of them were released.

The third-generation F-body base weighed relatively less than its predecessors and had a more streamlined, aerodynamic design, which was ideally implemented in the Pontiac Firebird model. The CCC system manufactured by GM (Computer Command Control) computer engine control also did not stand still, but developed, while increasing power, efficiency and reducing emissions. All these factors turned out to be an integral part of the success of this model. The third generation Firebird can still be found on the roads in a very acceptable condition, they are still popular in the secondary market. These cars are widely used on American television, both in feature films and in TV shows. So, the black Trans Am has become one of the main characters of the Road Knight popular in the 80s series. Also, 1987 was the first year when they started installing a 5.7-liter engine with a TPI (Tuned Port Injection) V8 system and 230 horsepower, but this engine was only available with the Trim modification with a TH-700R4 automatic transmission . In 1991, after restyling, Firebird acquired an elongated front end. The headlights of this year's cars in the lowered state were completely covered by a bumper. 92 year - the last year of the release of the “third generation" ... A small number of perfomances of F-body modifications were released (and sold). Most potential customers expected the next generation. By tradition, a limited series called Firehawk was created. The last three cars (out of 25), for example, had a modified engine with a capacity of 375 liters. with.

The fourth generation continued to move along the path outlined by the previous generation for aerodynamic and streamlined bodywork, but because of the general decline in demand for such cars, it did not enjoy due success with buyers. As before, Camaro was produced with external headlights, and Firebird used the “blind” version of the retractable headlights, which underwent minimal changes. In general, the fourth generation Firebird more fully reflected the ideas of the concept of "Banshee IV" than the restyling of the third generation of 1991. However, it lost what united all generations of cars of this brand - a certain sharpness and cuneiformity, clearly manifested by the designers in the Banshee IV concept, which caused dissatisfaction among some fans of the previous Firebird.

Among others, Firebird had a modification of Trans Am. This modification improved the steering of the car, slightly reduced ground clearance, increased engine power. Plus, Trans Am was also different in appearance: Functional air intakes on the hood, fog lights, wheels - these are the main external distinguishing features of this modification. Despite the fact that Trans Am ceased to exist along with the cessation of the release of Firebird itself from 2002, the F-body base continued to be used in IROC racing series until 2006.