HISTORY OF THE PONTIAC FIREBIRD TRANS AM

The Pontiac Firebird Trans Am is the most iconic symbol of the American Muscle car era of the '70s, an era that was ruled by tightening emission standards that caused other car makers to downsize car size and horsepower output.

In the Beginning
Pontiac, a General Motors division, began to build the Firebird in 1967. It was a muscle sports car produced for the “pony car” market. The “pony car” market already had some very popular cars, such as the Mercury Cougar which was Motor Trend Magazine's car of the year in 1967, and the Ford Mustang, one of the most successful cars of all time.

Birth of a Legend
Firebird offered an optional handling package called the "Trans Am Performance and Appearance Package" in 1969. Some of the things that this option included were: a rear wing spoiler, larger tires, dual hood scoops, fender vents, and a lowered better handling suspension. The name "Trans Am" was actually a series that belonged to the SCCA (Sports Car Club of America). Pontiac used the name without permission and the SCCA threatened to sue. So GM ended up paying $5 to the SCCA for every car sold, to settle the deal.

These were the first "Trans Ams" and they used two versions of the 400 inch Pontiac engine: the Ram Air 3 (335 horsepower), or the Ram Air 4 (345 horsepower).

Second Generation Trans Am (1970 - 1981)

On February 26, 1970 the second generation Trans Ams were introduced and they were arguably the most beautiful cars of that muscle car era! These second generation Trans Ams had a swooped body style, where the top of the rear window line went straight down to the trunk lid. The rear wing spoiler was replaced with a one of a kind ducktail spoiler that was form fitted and part of the body of the car; it was so desirable that this type of rear spoiler continues to be used on new cars today! The famous backwards hood scoop was introduced which was located in the center of the hood near the windshield. This one of a kind hood scoop gave the Trans Am personality as it moved and shook as the engine ran. The new interior instrument panel was made of an engine turned aluminum and looked so rugged and modern, that it was used on all second generation Trans Ams.

Two versions of the Pontiac 400 engine were offered: the Ram Air 3 that was rated at 345 horsepower with 430 ft. lbs. of torque and the Ram Air 4 rated at 370 horsepower with 445 ft. lbs. of torque.

1971 The 455-HO Engine
A new Pontiac engine was introduced in 1971, the 455. Even though the 455 had less horsepower than the previous 400, because of tightening emission standards, it delivered more torque! The 455-HO or 455 (High Output) produced 335 horsepower and 480 ft. lb. of torque.

1971 also introduced the poly cast honeycomb wheel.

In 1972, Trans Am production numbers were very low due to the United Auto Workers strike that effected its production.

Also in 1972, with tightening emissions standards, Trans Am started listing the horsepower output as "net horsepower" taking into consideration the horsepower robbing engine components such as the air condition, water pump, alternator, power steering, fan, exhaust, and anything else that robbed horsepower. This reduced the horsepower ratings listed compared to previous years, better conforming to tightening emission standards.

1972 was the last year where the backward facing hood scoop or shaker could open up as the gas pedal was pressed to let air into the carburetor; from 1973 on, the shaker opening was permanently closed.

1973 The Screaming Chicken
This year introduced the large "screaming chicken" Firebird graphic that covered the entire hood, which made the Trans Am unique among its competitors. William (Bill) Porter, styling chief at Pontiac, came up with this unique hood bird idea that was a winner from the very beginning. Another big introduction was the 455 Super Duty Pontiac engine, which could have been considered a racing engine.

SD-455 Engine - The Most Powerful Pontiac Engine Ever
A new engine called the SD-455 or 455 (Super Duty) was a special version offered in 1973 & 1974. It was factory rated at 290 horsepower and 390 ft. lbs. of torque, but sources state that this amount was under-rated and that these engines actually produced 310 horsepower. In 1974 the SD-455 was the fastest "production car" in the World and was the last high-performance engine from the early or original muscle car era.

This engine was actually a Pontiac NASCAR racing engine with an output of over 540 horsepower that was toned down to 290 horsepower to meet the tight emissions standards of the times. Surprisingly the SD-455 was introduced at the same time that almost all other car manufacturers were withdrawing from high performance in place of better engine emission output.

With some simple modifications the SD-455 could be restored to its NASCAR racing output of over 500 horsepower. Pontiac historians often consider the SD-455 the last and most powerful factory Pontiac engine ever made.

The 1973 model had a chrome rear bumper with 2-strip brake lights and rounded style front headlights and grille openings, while the 1974 model came with rubber bumpers with 3-strip brake lights and new scoop style headlights and grille openings with a Firebird emblem between the two grille openings.

In 1975 with tighter emissions standards that the SD-455 engine could not meet, the engine was terminated.

1976 The Last of the 455 Engine
1976 models had new molded front and rear bumpers and dual tail pipes on each side of the rear end. It also came with a wider rounded rear window with a Firebird emblem between the door window and the rear window, on each side of the car.

Tighter emissions standards this year meant 1976 Trans Ams were the last ones to have the 455 engine. This year was Pontiac's 50th Anniversary, so the very first special edition black and gold Trans Am was made.

1977 Smokey and the Bandit
One of the most popular movies of all time “Smokey and the Bandit” stared the 1977 Trans Am and it changed popular culture as we know it, making the Trans Am one of the most iconic cars of all time.

The 1977 model had a new front end with larger grille openings which were slated in the center and contained 4 square headlights, 2 on each side. The Firebird emblem in the center of the front end was replaced with a Pontiac emblem. The hood scoop or shaker was replaced with a square or less rounded one. The wheels came with a new all aluminum snowflake design.

Since tighter emissions standards discontinued the 455 engine in 1976, two Pontiac 400 engines were offered: the 200 horsepower 325 ft. lb. torque "T/A 6.6 Litre" engine, which had chrome valve covers & chrome oil fill cap, and the automatic transmission only 180 horsepower 325 ft. lb. torque "6.6 Litre" engine.

A high altitude Oldsmobile 403 engine was also available at 185 horsepower with 320 ft. lb. of torque.

The 1977 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am is no doubt the single most iconic symbol of the 70's muscle car era!

1978 Increased Power
Pontiac carried over the success of the 1977 model year and didn't make major changes. Some of the small changes that were made are: the front end grille pattern changed from a honeycomb to a crosshatch pattern, the rear of the car was painted black instead of the car's color.

The black paint / gold trim special edition version of 1977 was changed to gold paint / black trim for the 1978 model year.

Horsepower was increased from the 1977 model year, reversing the declining trend. The Pontiac 400 "T/A 6.6" was available putting out 220 horsepower and 320 ft. lb. of torque. It also sported a true dual exhaust system, boosting power output.

GM canceled the Pontiac 400 engine in the 1978 model year, but Pontiac had plenty of stock to last through 1979.

In 1978 Pontiac sold more Trans Ams than any other year, making this the record year.

1979
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