1981 PONTIAC TRANS AM - LAST YEAR OF 2ND GEN

Описание: The Pontiac Firebird is an automobile which was designed by the Pontiac division of General Motors between 1967 and 2002. The Firebird was introduced the same year as the automaker's platform-sharing model, the Chevrolet Camaro. This coincided with the release of the 1967 Mercury Cougar, which shared its platform with another pony car, the Ford Mustang. The vehicles were powered by various four-cylinder, six-cylinder, and V8 engines sourced from several GM divisions. While primarily Pontiac-powered until 1977, Firebirds were built with several different engines from nearly every GM division until 1982 when GM began to discontinue engines it felt were unneeded and either spread successful designs from individual divisions among all divisions or use new engines of corporate architecture. The Firebird’s 1970½ body would survive through 1981 with only modest stylistic changes, including a set of well-integrated 5 mph. bumpers, mandated by federal law, that made it one of the few cars of its era not to look like it was wearing battering rams. More noticeable was the dramatic Firebird hood decal, introduced in 1973, which was quickly dubbed, the “screaming chicken.” Under the hood, the screaming had become a good deal more muted. The Firebird and Firebird Trans Am had been some of the last bastions of genuine muscle car power — the 1973-74 Super Duty 455 was no less formidable than the meanest of its pre-smog rivals — but by 1976, the combination of emissions requirements, prohibitive insurance rates, and reduced compression had pulled the Firebird’s talons. The 455 cu. in. engine was available through 1976, but was now down to only 200 net horsepower, pathetic for such an enormous engine. When it was gone, the top option was the 400, with the same power, but less torque. In California, where the 400 failed to pass that state’s stricter emissions laws, Pontiac was compelled to substitute an Oldsmobile 403 cu. in. V8 with 185 hp. Since a well-equipped Trans Am weighed more than 3,600 pounds, performance was less than startling with either engine. Even so, the Firebird’s sales remained robust, suggesting that buyers were more interested in image than real speed. This example has a 305 cube engine with a 4 barrel carb. This Trans Am was professionally restored in a paint I haven't seen before called Vibrant Blue. The color, I think, is stunning as well as the rest of the car. The repro decals, interior condition, and those familiar Trans Am wheels promise the next owner many things to be proud of. Many thanks to you for viewing this 1981 Pontiac Trans Am, the last year of the second generation.