1981 Pontiac Firebird

General Motors' Pontiac Division capitalized on the new V8 engine introduced in 1955, and reinvented itself with a more youthful and sporty image during the 1960s, with a series of high-performance models such as the Bonneville, GT, Grand Prix, Firebird, and Trans Am. The public's approval of the new designs and performance options catapulted Pontiac into 3rd place in the U.S. auto sales chart for most of the decade. Essentially a better equipped up-market Chevrolet Camaro, Pontiac's Firebird was introduced in February of 1967 clothed in the same bodyshells as its Chevrolet counterpart but with a uniquely styled grille. The selection of engines ranged from a 203 cubic-inch overhead-cam six to a 400 CID V8.

After an eleven-year production lifespan, the second-generation Pontiac Trans Am came to an end in 1981, with 1982 ushering in an entirely new third-generation F-body. 1981 also marked the end of the two-year run of the turbocharged, 301 cubic-inch, 200 horsepower engine. The second-generation of styling had been introduced in 1970 under the supervision of Pontiac's studio chief, Bill Porter. Only a coupe body style was offered until the end of the 1981 model year. The more curvaceous body lines replaced the original 'Coke bottle' styling while retaining several traditional styling elements such as the divided front grille. Year-on-year detail changes were continuous as the 2nd-Gen Firebird evolved.

Trim levels on the 1981 Pontiac Firebird included the 'base' hardtop coupe, Esprit, Formula, and Trans Am. The 'base' sold for $6,900 and 20,541 examples were built. 10,938 of the Firebird Esprit models were built and 5,927 were Formula models. The performance version, the Trans Am, saw 33,493 examples produced. Powering the Formula Firebird was a 265 cubic-inch V8 which was optional on the base and Esprit model. The base engine was an overhead valve V6 rated at 110 horsepower. The Trans Am had a 301 CID four-barrel V8 with Electronic Spark Control. Both the Formula and Trans Am models could be fitted with a turbocharged 301 CID V8.

The power brakes included a low-drag front caliper, and additional standard equipment included power steering, a black-out grille with agent accents, hubcaps with Pontiac crests, and a rosewood woodgrain instrument panel applique. The Esprit models added full wheel covers, automatic transmission, wide rocker panel moldings, wheel opening moldings, and body-color sport mirrors. The Formula had simulated twin hood air scoops, body-color mirrors, a rear deck spoiler, and Rally II wheels with trim rings.

The Trans Am models had black-accent grille and headlamp bezels, wheel-opening air deflectors, rally gauges with tachometer, 'shaker hood, Rally II wheels, engine-turned dash trim plate, and black side-split tailpipe extensions.

A special edition NASCAR Daytona 500 Turbo Trans Am Pace Car led the field at the 23rd running of the Daytona 500 in 1981. Two-thousand examples of the Y84 Special Edition NASCAR Daytona 500 Pace Cars were built with seventy-five equipped with the Turbo V8. These models were also known as a 'Recaro T/A' as they were the only second-generation Trans Am equipped from the factory with the custom Recaro interior. Features include the red and black Recaro racing seats, red illuminated instrument panel, extensive gold trim, a glass hatch T-bar roof, and embroidered birds on the door panels and seat backs.

The popularity of the Trans Am gained new heights as Burt Reynolds drove his 1977 Trans Am as he eluded the efforts of Sheriff Buford T. Justice in Smokey and the Bandit.

by Daniel Vaughan | Jul 2014