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1971 Pontiac Firebird

As the 1960s were coming to an end, the Muscle Car movement was continuing to grow, but as the 1970s began to emerge, stricter emission and safety regulations brought this brilliant era to a close.

The first Pontiac Firebirds left dealerships in 1967, and even as they were departing, designers were hard at work with the next generation. They made it their mission that this time, the 1970s Firebird would not simply accept Chevrolet's leftovers. Even though the engineering efforts began at Chevrolet, Pontiac stylists and engineers joined their counterparts during the early stages to help create a pure American muscle car. Pontiac stylists wanted a more muscular appearance that was less angular than the Camaro's shape.

Early ads insisted 'Pontiac announces the beginning of tomorrow.' However, the 1970 model year began without the Firebird, as its debut was delayed until February 26th of 1970 due to tooling and engineering problems. Thus, its popular designation is a 1970 1/2 model. Leftover 1969 models were listed in Pontiac literature without model-year identification.

The car's appearance at the Chicago Auto Show caused a sensation even though consumer tastes were beginning to shift away from performance cars. Going against the trend of other manufacturers, Pontiac ignored the pressures and continued to focus on performance.

Jim McDonald replaced John DeLorean in 1969 as Pontiac's general manager and continued the performance development started under Mr. DeLorean's stewardship. With 46 percent of Americans were under 25, there was certainly a market for the Firebird.

As the 1970s continued to march on, the market continued to stray away from the muscle car ranks. For the 1971 Pontiac Firebird, product planners hoped to appeal to a broader spectrum of buyers. Thus, the Firebird could be ordered from 'mild to wild', with power from either a 350- or 400 cubic-inch V8. For those seeking even more, Pontiac offered a new 455 cubic-inch engine. As both the 350 and 400 CID V8 engines were available this year, the 1971 Pontiac Firebird Formula model lost its '400' suffix. The 350 cubic-inch V8 with a two-barrel carburetor and 8.0:1 compression developed 250 horsepower at 4400 RPM. The Firebird Formula 400 had a 400 CID V8 with 8.2:1 compression and a four-barrel carburetor delivering 300 horsepower at 4800 RPM. The Firebird Formula 455 had a 455CID V8 with 8.2:1 compression and a four-barrel carburetor delivering 325 horsepower at 4400 RPM. The Trans Am had a 455 CID V8 with 8.4:1 compression and a four-barrel carburetor with 335 horsepower at 4800 RPM.

The 'base' Firebird had high-back vinyl bucket seats, a wood-grained dashboard, a deluxe steering wheel, standard hubcaps, narrow rocker panel moldings, bright grille moldings, and Endura front bumper. There were disc brakes in the front concealed behind E78-14 tires. The base engine was a 250 cubic-inch six-cylinder unit with a one-barrel carburetor, 8.5:1 compression, and 145 horsepower. The two-door hardtop coupe had a base price of $3050 and 23,022 examples were built. 2,778 examples had synchromesh transmission while the majority (20,244) had automatic transmissions.

The Firebird Esprit was equipped with a two-barrel 350 cubic-inch V8 with 8.01 compression and 250 horsepower and backed by a floor-mounted three-speed manual transmission. There was custom trim with knit vinyl upholstery, custom cushion steering wheel, trunk mat, twin body-colored outside mirrors, concealed wipers, bright roof drip moldings, wheel opening moldings, dual horns, and wheel trim rings. The base price for the two-door hardtop was $3,425 and 20,185 examples were sold. Of those, 947 had synchromesh transmission while 19,238 had automatics.

The Firebird Formula was priced at $3,445 and 7,802 examples were built. Engine options included the two-barrel 350 CID V8, the four-barrel 400 CID V8, or the four-barrel 455 CID V8. The interiors housed vinyl bucket seats, custom cushion steering wheel, left body-colored and remote-controlled outside mirrors, and flame chestnut woodgrain appearance dash panel. The exterior had a fiberglass hood with simulated twin air scoops, a black-textured grille insert, an Endura rubber front bumper, and bright grille moldings. There were disc brakes in the front, dual horns, dual exhaust with chrome extensions, heavy-duty three-speed manual transmission, and the handling package. 1,860 buyers selected the synchromesh transmission while 5,942 selected the automatic.

The Transm Am was priced at $4,600 and 2,116 examples were sold, with 885 of those equipped with synchromesh transmission and the remaining 1,231 with automatics. These sporty vehicles had vinyl bucket seats, Rally gauges with tachometer and clock, Formula steering wheel, and Trans Am identification markings. The exterior had special honeycomb wheels, rear deck lid spoiler, black textured grille insert, bright grille moldings, Endura front bumper, twin body-color remote-control outside mirrors, concealed wipers, dual exhaust with extensions, front and rear wheel opening air spoilers, and a special air cleaner with a rear-facing cold air intake on the hood (controlled by the throttle). There were dual horns, F60-15 white lettered tires, handling package, power brakes with discs in the front and drums at the rear, a Safe-T-Track differential, power flex cooling pan, and power steering. Under the bonnet was an RPO LS5 455 HO engine with four-barrel carburetion, 8.4:1 compression, and 335 horsepower at 4,800 RPM. The engine was backed by a standard heavy-duty three-speed manual gearbox with floor shifter.


by Daniel Vaughan | Nov 2016

The Pontiac Firebird

Some refer to this as the coke bottle years, due to its body style. The bumpers were designed into the front end and the rear had slit taillights. Until 1969, a two-door hardtop and a convertible were only available. 1967 This marks the year Pontiac creates the Firebird, to be in competition with the Camaro. Five different Firebirds were available, with over 82,000 produced. Four speed manual....
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The Pontiac Firebird

Some refer to this as the coke bottle years, due to its body style. The bumpers were designed into the front end and the rear had slit taillights. Until 1969, a two-door hardtop and a convertible were only available. 1967 This marks the year Pontiac creates the Firebird, to be in competition with the Camaro. Five different Firebirds were available, with over 82,000 produced. Four speed....
Continue Reading >>

Related Reading : Pontiac Firebird History

Pontiac was tired of viewing from the sidelines, while Ford introduced the Mustang, and Chevy brought out the Camaro, so in midst of 1967 Pontiac finally jumped in the ring with the all new Firebird. Available with either six or eight cylinder engines, the Firebird was based heavily on the Camaro chassis, though Pontiac did attempt to make it their own. The Camaro featured a styled split front grille,....
Continue Reading >>

1971 Pontiac Firebird Vehicle Profiles

Recent Vehicle Additions

Performance and Specification Comparison

Price Comparison

1971 Firebird
$4,595-$35,600
1971 Pontiac Firebird Price Range: $3,047 - $4,595

Compare: Lower | Higher | Similar

Other 1971 Pontiac Models
$2,020 - $3,466
$3,450 - $4,070

Firebird Second generation

Specification Comparison by Year

Year
Production
Wheelbase
Engine
Prices
3,196
108.00 in.
8 cyl., 350.00 CID., 255.00hp
8 cyl., 400.00 CID., 265.00hp
8 cyl., 400.00 CID., 345.00hp
$4,305 - $4,305
7,708
108.00 in.
8 cyl., 400.00 CID., 265.00hp
$3,370 - $3,370
53,125
108.00 in.
8 cyl., 350.00 CID., 250.00hp
8 cyl., 400.00 CID., 300.00hp
8 cyl., 455.00 CID., 325.00hp
8 cyl., 455.66 CID., 335.00hp
$3,047 - $4,595
29,951
108.00 in.
6 cyl., 249.77 CID., 110.00hp
8 cyl., 350.00 CID., 160.00hp
8 cyl., 350.00 CID., 175.00hp
8 cyl., 400.00 CID., 250.00hp
8 cyl., 455.00 CID., 300.00hp
$2,840 - $4,260
73,729
108.00 in.
6 cyl., 250.00 CID., 100.00hp
8 cyl., 350.00 CID., 155.00hp
8 cyl., 400.00 CID., 175.00hp
8 cyl., 400.00 CID., 225.00hp
8 cyl., 455.00 CID., 250.00hp
8 cyl., 455.00 CID., 290.00hp
$3,335 - $4,446
110,775
108.10 in.
6 cyl., 250.00 CID., 110.00hp
8 cyl., 350.00 CID., 160.00hp
8 cyl., 400.00 CID., 185.00hp
8 cyl., 455.00 CID., 200.00hp
$3,900 - $4,985
187,285
108.10 in.
6 cyl., 231.00 CID., 105.00hp
8 cyl., 400.00 CID., 180.00hp
8 cyl., 403.00 CID., 185.00hp
8 cyl., 400.00 CID., 220.00hp
$4,550 - $5,800
108.20 in.
6 cyl., 231.00 CID., 110.00hp
8 cyl., 301.00 CID., 140.00hp
8 cyl., 305.00 CID., 150.00hp
8 cyl., 301.00 CID., 155.00hp
8 cyl., 301.00 CID., 210.00hp
$5,600 - $7,180

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