1980 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am

For 1980, the Pontiac Firebird was available as a hardtop coupe, Esprit Coupe, Formula Coupe, and a Trans Am Coupe. Changes were minimal though they did receive updates to the engine to comply with ever-increasing emissions restrictions. A new 265 cubic-inch V8 was optional along with the four-barrel, 301-CID V8. The Trans Am and the Formula models could be purchased with a new turbocharged 301-CID four-barrel. The base and Esprit models came standard with a three-speed manual while the Formula and Trans Am were given automatics.

The large displacement engines were no longer offered, including the 400 and 403 CID V8.

The Turbocharged Firebirds had a unique hood with a special bird decal. They had turbo graphics on the hood and decklid spoiler. A new 'Yellow Bird' option package replaced the former Redbird package. New Trans Am graphics colors included bronze-and-burgundy and a red-and-gold combination.

New options included an electronic-tuned stereo radio with a four-speaker system, a new dark blue interior color, and new seating which came in five colors.

The Pontiac Firebird was produced from 1967 through 2002 and was designed to compete with the Mercury Cougar and the Ford Mustang. The best sales year was 1979 with 116,535 Trans Am built. A 1980 Turbo Trans Am was featured in Smokey and the Bandit II, but due to the turbocharger problems, the cars used for filming were equipped with nitrous oxide tanks by Marvin Miller Systems.

1981 was the final year of the second-generation Firebirds (1970 through 1981), and engine options continued to be the same as during the 1970 model year. The only change to the engine was a new electronic carburetion system.

The third generation of styling was introduced in 1982 and would continue through 1992. Due to the fuel crises of the 1970s, fuel economy had become paramount. This was accomplished by reducing overall weight, improving aerodynamics, balance, and chassis development.

For the final year of production (2002), a collector's edition Trans Am was released as either a WS6 t-top coupe or a yellow WS6 convertible.

by Dan Vaughan

Produced by Pontiac, a division of General Motors, the Pontiac Trans Am was based on the Firebird coupe body style and built on the F-body platform.

The last high-performance muscle motor from the original muscle car generation was the Firebird Trans Am with the 455 motor.

In 1971 appearing first as the 455-HO, the 455 motor was introduced.

The SD-455, a unique version of the 455 was offered I n 1973 and lasted one year. Using the leftover components from Pontiac's 366 NASCAR engine, it was built as a full bore racing engine.

With the ability to produce over 540 horsepower, the SD-455 had to be toned down to satisfy the EPA and meet GM's strict horsepower policy which required all GM vehicles to hold the HP under 300.

Though producing in final form, 371 HP SAE NET, approximately 440 gross horsepower, the PMD engineers listed the SD-455 at 290 HP. The ease with which it could be returned to its 500+ horsepower form was what made this engine so unique.

Some consider this SD-455 to be the most powerful factory Pontiac engine to ever be produced.

Offered for a few more years, the restrictions on vehicle emissions eventually became too much to the producers.

With only a total of 7,100 units produced with the 455 engine, the 1976 Trans Am was the final of the 'Big Cube Birds'.

The Trans Am was a strong effort to appeal to the growing muscle car population in the late 1960's.

The Pontiac Firebird was produced from 1967 until 2002. Both the Trans Am and Firebird were discontinued in 2002, though the body is still utilized in the IROC Racing Series.

The first generation of the Pontiac Trans Am was only available in 1969 and came with an optional handling package called the Trans Am Performance and Appearance Package, named after the Trans-Am Series. The package cost a total of $725.

Because the name was used without prior permission, the SCCA threatened to sue GM. The deal was settled by GM offering to pay $5 per every Trans Am sold.

689 hardtop models and eight convertibles were produced in the first year of production. In the same year, an additional Ram Air IV engine option for the 400 in³ to complement the Ram Air II.

Production of first generation models continued longer than one year, actually totally 17 months. The first generation models were differentiated from the Camaro by its four round headlights compared to the Camaro's two.

The Second generation was available from 1970 until 1981.

From 1982 until 1992, the third generation of Trans Am was introduced.

Available from model years 1993 until 1997, the fourth generation Trans Am offered anywhere from 275 to 305 horsepower as a result of the LT1 Small block aluminum headed engine.

by Jessican Donaldson