Firebird: Why Everyone Knows This Hood
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- Опубликовано: 7 июн 2024
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Thumbnail image is Burt Reynolds' Firebird when it went up for auction on bringatrailer.com/ (check em out!) It sold for $240,000!!
The Pontiac Firebird--It’s the famous muscle car with a big ole fire-chicken on the hood--the car that gave birth to the Trans Am. The fire breathing, tire burning, highway ripper from Smokey and the Bandit. From it’s humble pony car origins, to the airbrushed phoenix of the 70’s, to the round and ugly as heck final generation Trans AM in 2002… What happened to this magnificent beast? What finally killed off the Firebird? Join James Pumphrey as he tells gets us up to speed on the Firebird!
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The Firebird's history is basically "better than a Camaro but not allowed to be better than a Corvette."
GM's bureaucracy sucked.
@@tambakoverlanders 👍👍
pretty much. I don't get it though. If it was so good that they had to tune it to be worse than the corvette... Instead, why didn't chevy/ gm use that as motivation to make the corvette better
I have a 78 trans am and an 81 corvette and the trans am is definitely a better vehicle breaks way less way easier to work on gets more looks too
Funny thing is that the Firebirds and Trans Ams in the 70's and 80's had overall better performance than the Corvette and saved you thousands. Even a fully optioned 79 Trans Am was cheaper than a 79 base Corvette with little to no options.
A wise man once said "a Camaro looks like it can kick your a**, but a Trans Am looks like its coming over to do it"
So glad you guys finally put this one together!
You can get away with calling an FRS a Brz or a Saturn Sky a Solstice. But if you call a Firebird a Camaro be ready to throw hands.
That’s a good one 😂😂
@@MaxxVelo ugh race-ism 😒
@@MaxxVelo BRZ drivers are cock blockers, One time coming home from work my uncle was picking me up in his Mustang and we’re on the freeway there was a lotus Elise right next to us and we wanted to run it guess who comes out of nowhere to fuck it all up a damn brz
Nice analogy. I got another one. The Camaro is the girl you wanna marry, the firebird is the girl you wanna bang.
I was fortunate to own an 88 GTA, bought new, for 14 years. Loved that car. Cruised comfortably at 85mph. Would do donuts on command. A mechanic I knew undid the factory de-tuning, improving the way it reacted. On hard acceleration would chirp hitting second. At over 100mph you could feel the ground effects kicking in, and it was a little unnerving when a defect in the road broke that momentarily, and equally amazing how quickly it recovered and the vehicle was sucked down on to the road. Was comfortable to drive at 150mph (was clocked at 168 once). The aerodynamics were so good over 40mph that in a moderate rain storms the rain was swept off the front windshield (no wipers necessary), and you could see the envelope close behind you. Replaced the stock tires with something more grippy - it was a heavy vehicle and that extra traction helped get off the line and stay between the lines on the turns. There were some little issues with it - it was a hard top, but the engine torque twisted the frame enough that the place where they would cut out for the t-top would regularly tear, so I had to get that welded and painted a few times. And you could only get it in an automatic. Other than that, loved that car.
Kinda sad they skipped over the 3rd gen and didn’t mention the WS6. I also really liked the yellow anniversary TA’s. Didn’t seem like he gave Trans Am Depot the respect they deserve either, those guys are incredibly passionate about what they do and build some really badass cars that deserve way more attention and respect in my opinion. It’s cool to finally get this as a Pontiac guy though.
and even the GTA and the pace car with the Grand National V6
He did the 3rd gen dirty I love my car
You forgot to mention the one feature that made the Firebird 10x cooler than both the Camaro or the Mustang.
POP UP UP AND DOWN HEADLIGHTS!
*facepalm* Why didn't I realize this while watching this. James, there better be a part two to this Up To Speed real quick!
How did they not fit that in there? 4th gen bird headlights are some of the coolest pop up up and down headlights out there. C4 vette headlights are badass as well
hell yeah i had one with POP UP AND DOWN HEADLIGHTS 😁 so much better looking than the Catfish
@@AaronJensen2375 Camaro Firebird with 1000bhp could be lit
@@richardbaumgart2454 👍👍
Amazing video! Ever since I was five years old I wanted one after seeing the Bandit for the first time and I promised myself that I would buy one like it. Fast forward to 2019 when I was 21 and an opportunity came along that would be life changing. My Grandparents' neighbor had a 79 Special Edition Bandit Trans Am outside for many years and I would go over to see it many times. Sadly the owner passed away and her son asked me to make him an offer since he knew how much I wanted a Trans Am. It was in need of a frame-off restoration and I offered $3,000 for it since it was a rare Y84 SE Bandit T/A with the Pontiac 400 and 4-speed transmission. He said that if I promised to show him the progress and let him see the car when its done, he would let me have it for $1,000 along with all of the parts for it. I am working hard to restore my dream car and pay tribute to the original owner and the Bandit himself, Burt Reynolds.
🖤
Do u have an Instagram or something showing the progress? Awesome story and an awesome build!
Seconding for insta, perhaps consider making a few youtube vids detailing your progress :D
Nice
@@ek8710 I have been considering on doing a RUclips series on my Trans Am restoration. I haven't made much progress on the car since buying the car, but I plan on making more progress this year. I do have Instagram and Facebook. Thank you for your suggestions and for giving me more motivation to do the RUclips series on my Trans Am.
As a diehard firebird fanboy, thank you for making this episode!!! so much enjoyment in 20 minutes - although I am a more than a little disappointed that you skimmed over the third gen - there is a lot of interesting stuff to talk about there, especially the Turbo v6 TTA, and the formula vs the mustang, and the 91-92 FIREHAWK????? the later third gens preformed significantly better than the later second gens, in both power and handling
I agree. He fizzled and barely touched in the 3rd Gen which I firmly believe were better than most of the 2nd Gen.
You did 3rd gens dirty so I just have to say; My first car was an 86’ Trans Am and I loved it so much that I still own it lmao. My dad had a yellow 79’ Camaro z28 around the same time I got it and I preferred my “mullet bullet”. Sure they aren’t the most powerful when it comes to muscle cars, but I’ll never understand why people hate on them so much; They sound great, look great, and are quite a bit quicker than people give them credit for when you’re actually behind the wheel. You just feel fast when you’re sitting in a 3rd gen, even if the car isn’t “fast” lol.
The third gen had Knight Rider, and was actually up to that point was the most aerodynamic car GM ever produced. The C6 Corvette has the same drag coefficient and they spent months in a wind tunnel designing it.
I was waiting on a Knight Rider reference but I guess not
Yeah like I had a 1991 GTA, really surprised that he just glanced over it. Their suspension was the best out of the camaro/mustang class, the aerodynamics were the best in the industry, and the car had huge torque figures for the time with the 5.7l V8. I thought that the Knightrider was sure to be mentioned because of so much time spent on Smoky and the Bandit, but i guess not. Kind of disappointed in this one.
@@Seth98Long GTA was better than the Corvette of the same era.
Yes, and you can also do engine swap. And it looks good, definitely the best looking Firebird gen
@@275Marco46 I literally watched this whole video (up to the time I paused it to write this comment) just to hear the Knight Rider reference. So disappointed! KR is what shaped my second imaginary life when I was a kid and a teen. KR and french car comedy Taxi. Even more than Fast and Furious. Actually, FaF is a joke, I rarely took inspiration from it.
So glad you guys finally did a Firebird episode! I’ve been silently begging for this one for a while now.
Gotta say I’m a little bummed out you guys didn’t mention Knight Rider. The show basically had a modded ‘82 Trans Am as a main character! That show made the third gens my favorites, closely followed by the Bandit Trans Ams.
I was bummed as well :(
I bought an 85 recaro editon beccause of it
Absolutely 💯
Same here. I had an 89 GTA 5 speed and an 84 Formula because of watching Knight Rider as a kid. Super bummed that they literally omitted this part in this episode because most Gen X/Millennials remember watching Knight Rider as a kid...
Gen 1 and 2 took up about 75% of the video. I really wish they went into more depth with 3 and 4, because (for better or worse) they were just as much a part of the Firebird's history as the first two gens.
Thanks for this episode, it was interesting. I do have to say though, the third gen Firebird 1982-1992 is the best and of course the GTA variant with the digital dashboard, mostly because the 80s aesthetic and all things 80s is the best
🚗 You forgot to mention the 1982 Firebird was the Firebird of choice for Hasselhoff in Knightrider, plus there is a mod community that makes the same dashboard and kit from the Knightrider series on sale. In addition the Pontiac Firebird Banshee of 1988 was one of the best concept cars out there, it had CG GPS and a lot of things that saw the future of what cars would be like today. It was also in Knightrider 2000 film with the Hoff. Camaro 1982-1992 third gen is the second best in 80s aesthetic, you can also sense that Nissan 300ZX 1983-2000 took some slight design ques from the headlights and tail lights of the Camaro IROC-Z.
One day I was riding the bus home, and at the stoplight I saw a Collector's Edition sitting there. I didn't know what it was at the time but i actually got kinda excited when I saw the same bright yellow paint with the wings on the hood.
I remember seeing these cars as a kid. have one now that I’ve been building over the years and I love the yellow angry bird scheme 😂
As a Pontiac guy, I have prayed for this day for so long.
Prayed... really?
As a Pontiac guy, I am so happy that people get to know Pontiac
@Phoenix Phoenix,
No worries buddy, im with u, its completely useless. No matter the subject. But yeah, to me in this case it just seemed a bit extra ridiculous because its about something as trivial as a subject for a donut media video.. but like you said, the subject doesnt really matter, its all a complete waste of time. And i didnt think you were rude, so no worries there either!
At first I was a little annoyed at how hard James ragged on the third gen, but then I realized that if more people think they suck, the price of parts will stay down. So keep it up!
Amen brother!!
Right?! I’ll I’m going to go buy another one rn lol I drive an 89 formula
@@callsignsleepwalker7231 My friend had that same car, with a 5 speed. He still misses it, nearly 20 years later.
You gotta thank this fucking channel for ruining everyone’s dream of owning any kind of car 😀 (at a reasonable price)
@@callsignsleepwalker7231 third gen looks absolutely amazing lol. Hope to get one of those one day
I still love the 80's Firebirds. Not for the power, but I actually love the way they look (and the pop-up headlights). Always wanted to see what'd happen if you cram a WS/6 v8 from the final generation of Firebird into one . . . Sounds like fun to me!
My best friend in high school had a '75 Firebird Formula 350. (This was in the mid and late 1980s). Of course, by '75 the Firebird was way down on power, but it was still a very cool car -- fire engine red with a white interior. Absolutely beautiful in pristine condition.
This episode had so much more potential. Mostly jumped over the 3rd gen and missed Knight Rider. Also went straight from 3rd gen to late 4th gen. Completely skipped the lt1. But I’m glad we did get a firebird episode!
I was a bit disappointed too. I've been waiting for this video for well over two years. I feel like we got kinda shafted tbh.
I feel like every content creator on RUclips pretends the 93-97 fbody LT1/LT4 cars never happened
@@bryannorris7209 RIGHT! NOT EVEN ONE PICTURE!! THEY DO LOOK BETTER IN MY EYES!! BUT OH HOW THE LT1 SUCKS!!
this video crap
@@RollinRetro99 I agree 100 percent.
As a trans am owner I have been waiting a long time to see an up to speed on these great cars! BUT how could you forget about KITT and Pop up headlights!!!!
Right? I kept expecting James to break 8nto song POP UP UP N DOWN HEADLIGHTS! 🤣he just didn't seem to interested in this segment. Like he was bord and dragging all the way through it. Maybe he was just tired
love a good screemin chicken
I love my 02 Trans Am! Had it since 2010 and was my first car and still is my car with a bit over 105K miles now. Recently bought an 86 Trans Am though 🤘🏻 wish it still stuck around.
Hey. Thanks for featuring Firebirds at last. I have a 76 Trans Am. It’s a bit of a shame that you described the 69 Trans Am as having a shaker hood, then put up shots of an early second gen T/A when you were referring to the first gen model! I love your videos, please keep them coming!
Y'all forget to mention the Firebird was K.I.T.T. from Knight Rider. Still glad you gave Pontiac some love.
Also, please do a vid on the Mercury Cougar and Oldsmobile Cutlass.
Exactly
Ikr!
*You forgot about the WS6 performance package*
*Returning to the Firebird lineup in 1996, the WS6 performance package included upgraded shocks, firmer springs and bushings, larger front and rear anti-roll bars, 17-inch wheels, dual oval exhaust tips, and that all-important functional Ram Air induction system*
4th gen babyyyy
@@jrtishner YESSS
He didn't, he called it a firehawk. He was wrong.
@@Blue_Wizarded firehawk and ws6 were 2 different trims
@@icefoxx1523 I know...
I've been waiting for this video!!! Thank youuuuu
Great video, just wanted to add a few things you missed 1993-1997 pontiac firebird had the lt1 v8 same as the c4 corvette at the time it was again slightly de-tuned made around 275 hp and around 305hp with the ws6 package. The ls1 wouldn't become available till 1998 with a update to the cars front end and some other minor changes it would run that engine till its demise in 02
Ya only reason I watched this video is because I thought they would talk about it I have a 97 ws6. Pretty pathetic for a carvChannel just skip that whole arrow body LT1 and go straight to the 98 with the LS.
As much as I love donut, once they got past the Burt Reynolds Era second gen it feels like they just gave up on the video. Nothing about the 2nd gen Turbo Trans Am, a slight mention at the 3rd gen TTA when it was the fastest stock American car on the quarter mile in 1989, nothing about Knight Rider, nothing about the LT1 Trans Ams (I don't even think they showed an LT1 T/A in the video) and a light dusting over the facelifted 4th gen ignoring the WS6 and the 1999 30th anniversary special edition.
I know it's probably not many peoples favorite car, and maybe not that many care about it. But being a 4th gen Trans Am owner myself I was really looking forward to you guys delving into it like I know you to do and I have to say I am a bit disappointed.
Regardless, the jokes and footage were great as always.
I agree. Nothing about the 3rd gen being the aerodynamics king, the 3rd gen Firehawk which was a legit supercar, the crazy 80s digital dash option, or even Pop-Up Up and Down Headlights! No real T-Top love, no Knight Rider talk, no 1LE or B4C mentions. The whole thing just kind of felt phoned in compared to a lot of their videos.
Right dude? With donuts recent merch designs i can't believe we didn't get a whole 5 minute segment about t tops and a new song\shirt.
@@rdhanded2 haha. I love getting water all over the place from leaking T-tops, despite this, still one of my favorite cars out there.
I also thought it lacked a lot of the pep up to speed normally has.
Because anything after '72 is depressing, disastrous, and dismal.
Wow! I'm glad you're doing a video on the great Firebirds! My grandpa owned and still owns a few Trans Am's that he bought way back in the 80's. My dad drove a 82 Trans Am throughout high school and College. This makes me want to restore my grandpas Trans Am that he keeps in his shed. Thanks Donut!
That would be wonderful to see another 82 trans am on the road. Maybe post some videos of the old gal and try and get some people interested in it. See if you could maybe start a go fund me or something so you could work on it without issues of money. Try and reach out to some channels and see what they could do to help you. Submit pictures of the cars to subreddits, Facebook groups, anything to get traction. I’m the owner of an 83 trans am as well as a 73 trans am. These cars are my loves as my uncle used to work for GM as a head rep. He got the 83 for free with his last name embroidered into the headrests and the gage clusters have all his buddies signatures on them.
@@thepugchugzchannel4511 Thank you! It was running at the beginning of fall. Needs to be rewired, new brakes, new paintjob, etc. No major issues as it was parked in a shed when my dad finished college. I could very well get enough funding to restore it.
@@SnapdWrench hi Spectr4l, have u watched 2022 FA Cup lately? Everton crushed Boreham Wood, 2-0.
@@purwantiallan5089 what are you on about?
@@SnapdWrench just asking about FA Cups last week dude.
The Smokey and the Bandit Trans Am is a core memory from my childhood. I rewatched that movie recently, and it holds up really well. Best car movie ever. RIP Burt and Jackie.
I currently own a pewter 2001 Firebird v6 and absolutely love it. I plan on keeping it on the roads for as long as I possibly can. It’s a head turner, man!
I wish Pontiac was still around and would bring this car back. This car deserves its place with the other legendary muscle cars.
Look up trans am depot, they convert 5th and 6th gen Camaros into firebirds
@@TechDove trans fendered camaro. Lol. But they do look sweet.
With the way things are heading, I would like to keep my memory of pontiacs being big muscle cars rather than small electric crossovers
@@meegstomtom that’s what firebirds are already they were always made off of the Camaro chassis
@@lucasswearingen377 I know. Lol still find it funny.
By far one of the coolest cars I've ever owned. Surprisingly well engineered to go fast.
And to rust faster
@@nikoladamjanovic2313 yes true
Well engineered American cars?
@@derpinguin7003 no one goes straight fast , better than us
@@nikoladamjanovic2313 That wasn't my experience. But I don't live where rust is much of a problem.
I have waited YEARS for this episode!! Almost crapped my pants when I saw it!! Thanks guys!
I know the fourth Gen isn’t everyone’s cup of tea, but I actually love the big Ram-Air scoops, especially the ones you got with the W6 package. Looks rad
Clicked faster than the bandit!
Oh lady dim dim, make me your slave.
@@Absolewtly soriii vroo slavery is baNneddd 🌝
Brooo slavaarie Baad Bro
What am I doing lol
0
Hell yeah! Love the Trans-Am. Sad you went through the whole 3rd Gen without talking about the Hoff and Kitt from KnightRider!
I love up to speed. Never will get old seeing James host this show 👍👍
Finally!!!!! What took you guys so long?!? A true American icon!! 🇺🇲🇬🇧
The Bandit will live on forever.
"I always wanted to experience everything and go down swinging. And there's one thing they can never take away: Nobody had more fun than I did." - Burt Reynolds.
R.I.P. Bandit. Someone call GM to bring back the Pontiac.
@Spencer Ellis If someone could convince them to beat out Dodge the same way they do things. They might have a shot. EV is kind of all hype anyway. There's no way it will currently last unless Government institutions really come down on companies. It's not practical in our time and won't be for a while unless there is a huge breakthrough.
When Pontiac was on their last leg all of their cars (GrandPrix, G8, G6, Solstice) were all kickass cars with killer engines. They could have a real shot if they tried. I'm so tired of seeing Challengers, Chargers, Camaro's and Mustangs everywhere. They aren't really cool anymore. They just look the same every year practically with no throwback to the past. Modern Muscle Cars should be way cooler than they are but they aren't anymore. Charger isn't even a Charger. It's just a sedan car with a giant motor.
Let's get some engineers that can break through the marketing and penny pinchers and produce some sweet cars out for the enthusiasts!
@@HunterRouth Made me feel better about the EV situation, lol. Fucking sick of all these hybrids and EV's everywhere. The Challenger was the sole true muscle car of the 2010's and early 2020's but now that Dodge is canning the HEMI V8, there's no hope for them either lol
*and theres beer in Texarkana*
@@ARG0T I mean the hemi ain't even a hemi so does it even matter
*Wait! You made a whole video about the Trans Am and didn't mention KITT? I don't care if KITT is fake. Put some respek on his name.*
I agree with u
i waited for this video for soooo long. thank you.
Thank you Donut for making your video sponsor segments so entertaining. Easy to watch.
Restored two of these cars with my dad (a 1977 and 1979), they're so iconic (also setting the flaming bird decal on the hood is on of the most difficult decals I have ever put on a car)
Yes... the decal for my 79 z28 that goes around the hood scoop was tough
Gotta say I really love the third gen! I love K.I.T.T., and while it's by far the slowest generation of firebird, it's got alot of appeal design-wise.
I'm surprised that not many people talking about knight rider
exactly, design-wise it stood the test of time. To me, it is still on of the best-looking cars ever made, especially from the US. but perhaps this is the problem for many, it rather looks like a European or Asian sports car from the 80s and not like a typical US muscle car.
True but it did have a 350 and 305 engine option. He failed to mention that by a long shot.
@@GKz_Smoke which was a unique design at its time, the tpi system produced huge torque figures, even at low hp. They dropped the ball on this episode.
@@billyboots3730 Yeah for sure im currently working on a v8 3rd gen myself
Finally! I’ve been waiting years for this video!
Man I have been waiting for this video. Thanks Donut!
As an owner of a 98 Firebird WS6 I can verify the Firebird is badass. A true muscle car
Nice I always wish I can have a 1965 Pontiac GTO even tho I am just 14
Same here 79 trans am owner I love this car
‘90 GTA owner here, glad you guys finally covered the Firebird! As much as you dog in the 3rd Gen it did do a lot for the platform. Switched from rear leafs to coils and beefy sway bars for cornering, introduced the 1LE pack for road coarse racing, brought fuel rail port injection to the cars, and most importantly: pop up headlights.
I have a 90 GTA as well. The best 3rd Gen imo. Classic style with the new interior.
The formula Ws6 2001 is prolly the sexiest car ever made I love em
Mustang SVT Cobra is better. But yeah the firebird is cool. To bad GM nerfed it so it wouldn’t be faster than the corvette.
You can make them much faster too. Stock power ain’t the limit
@@angelgjr1999 my top 2 muscle cars are either a 69 charger or the 2nd gen firebird
I rebuilt a 68 Cougar XR7 with my dad and love that car. Had to replace the factory disc/drum brakes with a Wilwood Dynapro kit because it was way too heavy for drum brakes... Don't ask how I know. Love your content!
Another great video, literally the best channel on RUclips by miles 👌🏻
Honestly the 3rd gen firebird is an 80's styling icon, i dont see why people beat on it it looks incredible
Ikr I own a 84 ta
Only children beat on its looks... blew in the engine in my first car...89 IROC.. traded straight across for an 87 TA 5.0.. looked like a GTA.. but was soooo slow.. but soooo pretty
@@modfoxv10 what are you talking about I’m 19 and I think the 3rd gen is awesome and it had kitt in the 80s the only thing is it power was pathetic and was harder to tune
@@HighSockDavid Harder to tune than what?
@@MichaelRCarlson than the old carbureted engines or the ls engines from the 4th gen
Feels like James is ready to walk out of this one. Maybe he was just really tired or a little sick when they filmed. Hope he’s feeling alright ❤️💪🏽
Cocaine for sure
@@marcusaurelius652 spot on, dude's nose looks red as rudolph
@@marcusaurelius652 or maybe he has a cold?…
Please, keep James OFF camera! He makes great videos painful to watch.
I noticed too. Sounded drunk or sick or like he was about to cry or throw up
Oh my, I comment for the firebird/trans am up to speed so many times. This is a beautiful moment for me. Thank you 💙💙
I just recently purchased a solar gold 79 trans am and I just absolutely love it.
I wish James would mention the third gen firehawk. It was made from 1991-1992 and made 350hp. The third gens where also revolutionary for having drag coefficient as low as .28 and where known as having exceptional handling.
Turd gen
I agree, I've owned a bunch of the cars and once you free up a little horsepower they're amazing cars. Great handling, drifts well, they have a great wheelbase and it's the lightest v8 Camaro/Firebird generation I'm pretty sure.
@@ProdigyAutomotive for sure, they where definitely innovative and I feel kind of upset that they completely skipped over them. Whatever tho, they basically have no internet presence because mostly older people own them and don't race or drift them.
@@keenanwengert423 You pretty much always see at least one at the drag strip and they're always fast. He didn't even mention Knight Rider, which played a huge role in the Firebird's success. I think they're beautiful cars
@@ProdigyAutomotive yeah, unfortunately they're mostly used for drag racing and I never see them at my local drift course or on the street. Which I find strange, because they are the most underpowered generation but are by far the lightest and best handling.
I own a 4th gen. I’ve been waiting for this video for SOOOOO LONG. People will know what car I drive now!!
Man ive been waiting for this video for a few years finally!
I saw one of the new Camaros with the fire bird body kit and stuff on it I was so confused and amazed but now it makes sense, was very cool to see in person
Finally! Been waiting for the firebird. My first car was an 89 5-speed rusted out death trap that I loved more than anything 😅
My first was an 88 with the 5 speed, t-tops and the 305. Rusted to shit and a death trap just like yours but man did I love that thing
@@cooperhuck7712 at the time I wished mine had t-tops since a friend of mine had an 02' with them. But looking back now and judging by the rest of the car, I can't imagine the shape they would've been in.😂
@@MAVJ haha my t-tops leaked like crazy
You skipped the bit about the '80/'81 Turbo 301ci Trans Ams! They had the offset hood bulge that had boost indicator lights, and a 2.92:1 final drive. They were rated at 250hp at 4000 rpm and 345 lb-ft at 2000 rpm.
I was wondering about that, pretty big to skip...almost avoided 80s in general
81 Turbo T/A owner here, they were actually rated from the factory around 200 ~ 210 hp but if given the right upgrades they can make 250, at least from the crank. Also they had 3.08 final drive. You got the torque right! In fact that was 25 ib-ft more than the W72 400's from 78 and 79 albeit being turbo there was lag. Honestly history and info of this engine turbo or not could practically be their own video documentary!
@@spectrebird3984 I used to have an '81 ex-Turbo, many moons ago. I had to look up the specs, and went with the first result I found, so thanks for the correction!
When I got it, it had a N/A 301, but the firewall label said "TURBO" and I had crazy plans for it before financial matters took it from me. I went to high school with the guy I got it from, and the guy he got it from, who bought it back from the mechanic I sold it to, after the second 301 I had put in went for a crap.
Still my "One that got away," some 20 years later.
Seriously awesome video. I have a G6 and I’m all about throwing Pontiac love. Would you guys ever consider doing a whole episode about Pontiac in general? Upvote this so they can see it guys!!
I’ve been waiting for this video for years
ITS ABOUT TIME YOU DO THE FIREBIRD, BEEN WAITING YEARSSSSS
Honestly the WS6 trans am is my All time favorite Pontiac, but the Firebird is a close second. Absolutely amazing car
Same here, if I was to buy a Pontiac....that would be it.
Trans Am is a trim level for the Firebird. So you're doubling down. I approve :)
A ws6 t/a is a firebird, trans am is an options package
I was waiting for this video, I’m 16 and my first car is a 1980 Pontiac firebird and it’s amazing to drive
Algo comment
:Edit: you guys make the best ads there probably the only ones I watch almost skipped this one out of habit had to go back an watch it love you guys ❤️
Pontiac’s death still leaves a hole in my heart to this day.
Yeah, wish GM brought it back when they reveal the concept of the latest Camaro good few years ago, around 2007 to 2010, maybe it could of saved Pontiac, but we would never know, do we?
You mentioned the movie Smoky and the Bandit and it's influence.
I just wanted to mention that in anime the Trans Am from Redline is next level. Not an exact model, but inspired by that era of Pontiac.
Insanely wicked. Would love to see a Redline video in the far future!
same! Donut should make people hear more about Redline, such a great over the top racing movie
My dad's first car was a '69 Firebird. He still has it and it's awesome!
I had a 96 trans am firehawk. Fully built NA. Over 500 at the wheels and with its t56 tranny it consistently pulled the front wheels off the ground in first AND second!
Firebirds will always be some of my favorite cars!
You guys didnt guve third gens enough love! They handled great! Also their was a shift from crank hp to wheel hp around that time too so they werent as tame as ya think
Pontiac trans am.. personally my favorite car of all time. It’s crazy to see the story of where it came from
I own a 1979 firebird so I appreciate the background!
This is literally one of the coolest cars ever. One of my dream cars!
I LOVE my genuine 2001 WS6 Trans Am!! The way the car looks and feel makes it feel like you're in a spaceship
My dad has a 99 ws6 he bought new in 99, I was born in 2003, a year after he met my mom, and he still has it, 19 years later, I’ve been trying to get him to fix it up, hes the one who got me into cars, and I’m in aircraft maintenance school now (thought you’d appreciate a little story)
Been daily driving a 2002 TA since 2004, and I get at least one compliment or thumbs up every time I drive it.
Same here I drive a ‘79 ta and you do get a lot of attention best part about 4th gens is that they have crazy power
I dig your astrokeeps characters :D Awesome work!
The episode I’ve been waiting for
So great you guys finally did this! Just got my first car, a 1979 Trams Am and I've been waiting forever
the firebird, seen a Trans Am GTA once in my life, in a country where classic muscle cars are rare af
but man is it gorgeous
I just bought a darn near MINT 1977 Black & Gold Trans-Am. I’ve only wanted one for 4 decades…well…it was totally worth the wait! In MY opinion,I think it’s the best looking car ever produced. 🤠
Finally, an episode about my car, I love pontiac and have a 76 pontiac trans am with a 455, 4 speed Manuel.
Catfish camaro is 1998-2002. And the 93-97 birds had LT1s, not LS1. Also the 1985 Firebird was the most aerodynamical car GM had tested to that date. How did you not mention KITT from knight rider?
My mom wrapped her GTO around someone's living room, and my Dad's Trans Am was by far the most terrifying fiberglass rocketship I've ever driven, especially on the old gravel roads of Kentucky just, outside of Bowling Green ironically enough. Oh, and I was the kid that my parents made live in the basement, but I'm an only child...
😳
Around a living room? Dumb description
@@marcusaurelius652 It's called a turn of phrase. Usually you wrap a car around a pole or a tree, she slid off the corner into a house. Dry humor is lost on grumpy folk.
Trans ams weren't fiberglass
@@brianbird3756 this one was. I remember it had been modified, not sure to what extent, so when we moved to California it had to be sold. My Dad bought another one, same year, and it was nothing like the first one performance wise.
My first car was my Dad's 1979 Firebird Formula with the 301 four barrel engine with a manual transmission. Man after watching Smokey and the bandit 200 times and learning how to drive stick I felt so cool.
17:54 Actually you're somewhat incorrect there. The 1992 SLP Firehawk made a pretty substantial 360 hp, and was also a 3rd gen Firebird, although very few were made. Also in terms of styling, the 3rd gen is one of the sleekest, sexiest versions, especially the earlier models from '82-'84 in my opinion.
Lol they forgor about the funny Robot Rock headass mf with the super cool red scanner bar at the front
I've been waiting for this one, and I'm very happy to see it finally here!
been waiting for this episode for years
I owned a 76 TA 6.6l...black with red interior, 8 track player and *stereo* (one speaker in the dash and one in the back deck). Red interior, t-roof...loved that thing...Once you cleared 100mph, and opened them four barrels...that rear end would suck down and it just went! Good memories
My favorite is the fourth gen 1998 and up models because of the style and engine
My father owned a 79, together we put heads and a cam in the Olds 403 in it. It was pretty rusty but only had 74k miles on it. I blew up my MK4 Jetta and daily drove it, my pocket hurt but I fell in love with that car. And I think they look cooler than the Camaro, with more and better engine options
Cam and compression, that's exactly what the 403 needs!
IVE WAITED FOR THIS VIDEO FOR SOOO LONGGGG
This is awesome. My first car was a little red ‘96 firebird. V6, but still a hell of a ride for a newbie.
I've been waiting for this video ever since I discovered Donut, more than two years ago.
Thanks for finally making it James and crew, from the bottom of my heart.
"I agree with the emissions laws" is a strong sentence for a VW guy haha
weeeeellll lets saaaay that VW never broke any emission law OK ? nothing to see here
and a guy with an illegal engine swap in California (the Corolla)
Didn't even mention my LT1, the swan song of the small block chevy. I've owned mine since 2002 and with 150 shot of nitrous and some sticky tires it was rowdy.
I also had a 79 turbo Trans Am with a turbo 301 v8. Might have missed it.
Really enjoyed the video.
Just got my 96 Firebird drivable after 5 years, feels and handles great. 🤙
Personally feel not enough love is given to the 4th gens. Most of the attention is given to the 2nd gens, which is fair, those are beautiful cars.
I feel like the 3rd gens could have gotten some more love too
@@Bayfire-ki9du for sure. They look decent. Definitely don't deserve any hate. I think those 305s from the late 70s really hamstrung that generation though.
Same. One of the best "bang for your buck" cars ever. And based on Jame's taste, I didn't assume he was going to be a fan of 4th Gens.
@@genthba felt the same way. 325 HP from the factory at that time, as far as American muscle goes, isn't bad. I understand it's not for everybody. Still love mine though.
I have a red 1993 4th gen Firebird Trans am. I love it and it turns heads everywhere. Not many left😊
you are doing a good job James!
It's about time. The Firebird should have been covered a long time ago. It's one of my favorite cars ever. Without the Firebird, "Smokey and the Bandit" and "Knight Rider" would not have existed. And that would have been disastrous.
My neighbor's Pontiac Firebird has the words "Firehawk" on it. I thought it was just the name for his car or something cheesy but I guess it's a trim which is kind of cool that I know now. 💯