Over a 40-year period, the Pontiac Firebird has earned a unique place amongst speedy American domestic cars. What started out as another contender in the ‘me too' Mustang pony car race, ended up a classic. This updated and enlarged third edition chronicles the definitive history of the Pontiac Firebird. Close attention is paid to both regular and high level model variants (Formula & Trans Am), and how Pontiac made its Firebird unique.
The Firebird's tale reflects the development of the mainstream domestic car in the modern era: V8s, turbo V8s, turbo V6s, HO V6s, overhead cam I6s, and even a Super Duty four banger. If there's a performance avenue to be explored, then the Firebird has been there.
Popular with car fans and in the sales charts, the Firebird has had a high profile both in television and at the movies, ensuring the Firebird legend just gets bigger and bigger. From the go-faster 1960s, gas mileage- and pollution-controlled 1970s, performance renaissance of the 1980s, through to the indifference of the 1990s, the Firebird was always there. This is its story. Cutting edge research and over 350 colour photos – including over 80 new images for this third edition – bring this in-depth, incredibly detailed legend to life.
Through formal study of the postwar American car market, Marc Cranswick brings valuable insight to the subject. His other books include MOPAR Muscle – Barracuda, Dart & Valiant; Ford Midsize Muscle – Fairlane, Torino & Ranchero, and Ford Mustang II & Pinto.