When Chevrolet introduced the Camaro for the 1967 model 12 months, Pontiac got its own version at the identical time (in contrast to Mercury, which had to attend just a few years to begin selling Mustang-sibling Cougars). This was the Firebird, which stayed in production until each it and the Camaro were discontinued after the 2002 model 12 months. Today’s Junkyard Gem is a base Firebird coupe from the ultimate fourth generation, present in a Colorado automobile graveyard recently.
Lately, first- and second-generation (1967-1969 and 1970-1981) Firebirds are all but inconceivable to seek out in the massive self-service wrecking yards, while the 1982-1992 third-generation cars still show up on occasion. Those in search of discarded 1994-2002 Firebirds have a somewhat easier time, though sales numbers were never great in comparison with those of the sooner cars.
The fourth-generation Camaros and Firebirds were very quick with V8 engines, however the base powerplants within the cheaper versions were at all times V6s. For 1996 through 2002, that engine was the great old 3.8-liter Buick pushrod V6, with ancestry extending all the best way back to the 215-cubic-inch aluminum V8 that had its debut in 1961. That is what’s on this automobile.
This one was rated at a reasonably strong 200 horsepower and 225 pound-feet, which was more powerful than the beefiest optional V8s available within the 1982-1984 Firebirds. Should you bought a 1999 Formula or Trans Am, you bought a real 5.7-liter LS V8, rated at 305 (320 with Ram Air) horsepower and 335 pound-feet.
A five-speed manual was standard equipment within the 1999 Firebird with V6 (buyers of the V8-equipped cars could make a choice from a six-speed manual or four-speed automatic), and that is what’s on this automobile.
This automobile has the optional T-top roof.
The MSRP for this automobile was $18,250, or about $34,828 in 2024 dollars.
The V6 version didn’t get much promoting time on TV.
This Article First Appeared At www.autoblog.com
