1978 Pontiac Firebird

The second generation of the Pontiac Firebird lasted from 1970 through 1981 and was built strictly as coupes. The convertible option ended in 1969 and would not re-appear until 1989. The previous 'Coke bottle' styling was replaced by a more curvaceous design that successfully incorporated some of the previous design cues.

Minor changes were implemented for the 1978 model year, including switching from a honeycomb to a crosshatch pattern grille and the introduction of a new special edition vehicle. The grille was flanked on either side by rectangular quad headlamps. In the back were wide three-row tail lamps that housed backup lights at the inner ends, near the license plate. The standard engine was the 231 cubic-inch V6 with overhead valves, a cast-iron block and head, hydraulic valve lifters, four main bearings, and a two-barrel Rochester carburetor helping to deliver 105 horsepower and 185 lb-feet of torque. A three-speed manual transmission was standard. The factory list price for the Firebird hardtop coupe began at $4,545. A T-Top option was available and for 1978, the construction was transitioned from Hurst to Fisher (General Motors) mid-year.

The Formula trim level came standard with a 305 CID V8 with overhead valves, five main bearings, hydraulic valves lifters, a two-barrel Rochester carburetor, and delivered 145 horsepower and 245 lb-feet of torque. The Trans Am had a 400 CID, four-barrel V8 that produced 180 horsepower and 325 lb-feet of torque. This engine had a revised compression ratio due to the different cylinder heads with smaller combustion chambers. Additional Trans Am features include a black grille, rear spoiler, front air dam, rear-wheel air deflectors, Rally II wheels, sport mirrors, and 'shaker' hood and air cleaner. Interior upgrades included the rally instrument panel with a tachometer.

The Firebird Formula LT Sport Edition was powered by a Chevy 305 V8 engine that had a 10-percent higher compression ratio boosting power to 155 bhp. It was backed by a floor center console four-speed manual T-10 BW transmission coupled to a limited-slip differential final drive.

Standard features included FR78x15 SBR tires, Endura bumpers, hubcaps, bucket seats, heater, defroster, and dual horns. Formula and Trans Am models had power brakes and an automatic transmission as standard. Formula Firebird models could be equipped with a four-speed manual as a no-cost option.

The Firebird Esprit, able to be equipped with either a six- or eight-cylinder engine, listed for $4,840, and accounted for 36,926 sales. The Firebird Formula and Trans Am were only available with the V8 engine, and the Formula sold for $5,450 and the Trans Am for $5,800. 24,346 examples of the Firebird Formula and 93,341 of the Trans Am were sold in 1978.

A limited touring package (LT) included a door, roof, fender and hood graphics scheme, modular alloy wheels, SE Trans-Am rear deck spoiler with 'Formula' word graphic detail, and the Trans-Am sports handling package with heavy-duty gas shocks. A 'Red Bird' Package on the Firebird Esprit model was a new option this year, adding a Roman Red color scheme with a matching red interior, Gold pinstripe treatment with Red Bird graphics on the B-pillars. It came with the Trans-Am styling steering wheel and dash, except it had a gold dash face and gold spokes on the steering wheel.

Optional Firebird engines included a CDO CID V8 with an 8.0:1 compression, a four-barrel Rochester carburetor, and 155 hp and 280 lb-ft of torque. A 350 CID V8 with a four-barrel Rochester carburetor and 8.2:1 compression delivered 170 hp and 270 lb-ft of torque. The 350 CID V8 with 7.9:1 compression and a four-barrel carburetor delivered 170 hp and 275 lb-ft of torque.

Optional transmissions included a four-speed manual and a three-speed Turbo Hydra-Matic. The steering was handled by a recirculating ball setup, and disc brakes were in the front with drums at the rear.

by Daniel Vaughan | Aug 2020