Whats the difference between a Trans-Am and a Firebird?

[Hunta the Red]

The look like Twins too me.

I never got why they were labeled as 2 different cars.

[Lost Knight]

Firebird is the general name for the car. It came in three main versions: the ordinary Firebird, Formula and Trans Am. Each is a step up above the other. Occasionally every few years, the Firehawk version was released which was the most powerful in terms of performance. K.I.T.T. was the Trans Am version of the car.

[FuzzieDice]

According to a 1982 Pontiac Commercial I happen to have, they introduced the 1982 3rd Gen Firebirds in three versions: Firebird, Firebird SE, and Firebird Trans Am. So there was a Firebird SE at one time as well. It was I think a bigger and/or faster engine than the base model firebirds were.

[Lost Knight]

Any idea of how long the Firebird SE lasted? Seems to me that it was a very brief run.

[OKC KNIGHT]

Any idea of how long the Firebird SE lasted? Seems to me that it was a very brief run.

Yes very brief run,Only made from 1982-1986 and not many made.

Here's the brakedown.

(1982) 21,719 (Turbo Cast wheels and Pmd seats came standard)
(1983) 10,934
(1984) 10,309
(1985) 5,208
(1986) 2,259

<<Dave

[Army_F_Body]

There have been many versions of the Firebird, however, the traditional setup or trim level (as most have pointed out already) has been Firebird, Formula and T/A.

In addition to the S/E (which existed as a 2nd gen as well), there was also the Espirit in the early 70s, the GTA in the late 80s, the "Macho" or Mecham (sp?) T/A in the 70s and 80s (not a factory model, however), the Turbo T/A was also available in the 70s and 80s and one of my favorites, the Firebird 400 in the 60s. The Firehawk was produced (I beleive) from 92 on as a special factory order.

You also have little sub-orders based on option grouping such as the 1LE (very rare third gen model), and the WS-6 (there was also the WS-7, which was the same as the WS-6 in the 80s but didn't come with the 4-wheel disk brake option, and the factory code for a basic T/A is WS-4).

Edit: Pictures are always better! Here are some pics I was able to dig up real quick on google. Enjoy!

http://www.canadiandriver.com/articles/ ... rd_400.jpg

1968 Firebird 400

http://www.ycc.nu/bilder/pontiac72.jpg

1972 Firebird Esprit

http://www.streetrebels.ch/picsuscars/1 ... ransam.jpg

1979 Macho T/A

http://www.pontiacpower.net/pictures/92fhwk.jpg

1992 Firehawk

[pdennis93]

in the 90s, the formula is basically the trans am without all the "look at me" parts

take for example an LT1 93-97 formula

its got the LT1 motor, the trans am taillights, the suspension, wheels, etc.. what it doesnt have, is the TA nose, side skirts, rear spoiler, and rear bumper...

some even say the formula in the 90s is quicker than the trans am, not unlike the 80s and early 90s mustang GT's vs the mustang LX 5.0 models where you got the motor and the suspension stuff without all of the "look at me" ground effects, fog lamps etc..

personally i prefer the "look at me" image and thats why i have a 95 TA and not a formula

[Hunta the Red]

Firebird is the general name for the car. It came in three main versions: the ordinary Firebird, Formula and Trans Am. Each is a step up above the other. Occasionally every few years, the Firehawk version was released which was the most powerful in terms of performance. K.I.T.T. was the Trans Am version of the car.

Any idea of how long the Firehawk lasted?

And was it just me or in the new BackStreet Boys 2nd video single for their comeback album they had like 2 or 3 Trans-Am or Firebirds (especially one in Orange) in their video when they are pretending to be in the 80's

I saw the Firebird/Phoneix logo on the hood of the cars in their video which did look kind of familiar

[Hunta the Red]

There have been many versions of the Firebird, however, the traditional setup or trim level (as most have pointed out already) has been Firebird, Formula and T/A.

In addition to the S/E (which existed as a 2nd gen as well), there was also the Espirit in the early 70s, the GTA in the late 80s, the "Macho" or Mecham (sp?) T/A in the 70s and 80s (not a factory model, however), the Turbo T/A was also available in the 70s and 80s and one of my favorites, the Firebird 400 in the 60s. The Firehawk was produced (I beleive) from 92 on as a special factory order.

You also have little sub-orders based on option grouping such as the 1LE (very rare third gen model), and the WS-6 (there was also the WS-7, which was the same as the WS-6 in the 80s but didn't come with the 4-wheel disk brake option, and the factory code for a basic T/A is WS-4).

Edit: Pictures are always better! Here are some pics I was able to dig up real quick on google. Enjoy!

http://www.canadiandriver.com/articles/ ... rd_400.jpg

1968 Firebird 400

http://www.ycc.nu/bilder/pontiac72.jpg

1972 Firebird Esprit

http://www.streetrebels.ch/picsuscars/1 ... ransam.jpg

1979 Macho T/A

http://www.pontiacpower.net/pictures/92fhwk.jpg

1992 Firehawk

The other 3 cars are thrash I hate Trans-Ams/Firebirds in the 60's and 70's and from 1993 to 2002

But that 1992 firehawk is CRAZY FIRE dayumm it almost looks like KIFT

[pdennis93]

the firehawk lasted all the way up till 2002

from 93-97 it was based on the firebird formula, and i think from 98-02 it was available on both the formula and the TA depending on the year

[Army_F_Body]

From 98-02 you could get it on either model. I forgot what the option code was, but you basically selected the Formula or T/A and added the code for Firehawk. Only difference was in the trim the car came with.

The 92 was based on the Formula as well, it just had way better rims

[FuzzieDice]

Army, I don't think that's actually a firehawk. The firehawk typically looked like this:

http://www.wolfeden.org/firehawk/hawk3.html

That's a 1995 Firehawk in my link above. Note that the Firehawks had a very different nose.

Check also the images at Boston.com.

[Army_F_Body]

You're right, Fuzzie. Most Firehawks were 4th gens, which is what most people are familiar with. However, SLP used the 92 Formula (last 3rd gen year) to make the first Firehawk. From 93 on the Firehawks continued with the 4th gen line and body. In fact in 96 or 97 the Firehawk was built with fixed not pop-up headlights, an even greater departure from it's image.

Appearance wise the first year Firehawk had special SLP star shapped wheels, and I beleive a yellow decal that ran accross the doors and on the driver side pop-up headlight cover that said "Firehawk." Other wise it was all stock Formula trim. The first year Firehawk in 92 was also only available in red. I remember salivating over my Grandfather's Road and Track that featured a "Spied" article on the Firehawk. They actually called it the "Hulk Hogan of sports cars!"

[FuzzieDice]

Really? (I stand corrected then ) They should have never changed the Firehawk's design then! It looked better the first year. But I do like the later year Firehawks too, though. Not bad, if they have to go newer.

I hope they bring back the more KITT-ish look of the formula for the rumored 2007 Trans Ams (which I don't think they really ARE going to bring back the Trans Am though, the way it looks).

[Knight4life]

I think trans Am's never came in the 90s?

[Army_F_Body]

Really? (I stand corrected then ) They should have never changed the Firehawk's design then! It looked better the first year. But I do like the later year Firehawks too, though. Not bad, if they have to go newer.

I hope they bring back the more KITT-ish look of the formula for the rumored 2007 Trans Ams (which I don't think they really ARE going to bring back the Trans Am though, the way it looks).

No problem, Tika

You know I'm all about the 92 models (personal bias ).

I think the 07 Firebird will be just that, a Firebird. I think the return of the T/A will come later. Over the years the Firebird was about smaller engines, so a 4-banger or 6-cylinder "Eclipse" inspired car wouldn't be to much of a departure. The Trans Am, however, shares a heritage with car like the Charger and Mustang so I believe it deserves at least an 8-cylinder resurection (twin turbo 10-cylinder mid or rear engine has been a setup I've been pondering for years) and a design consitent with it's past or heritage. Although I don't think it will show any similarity with it's 3rd gen past, it will be good to see the T/A badge on a car again.

[FuzzieDice]

Agreed, as long as the car looks similar to KITT if it's a T/A.

As for any of the new ones, I hope they aren't jellybeans (you know how I hate those!) but I'm afraid that's all they are making.

Also, as for a 10-cylinder turbo, with the way gas prices are going to continue, and the development of hybrid cars, I think that the new Trans Am if it comes out, will be a hybrid, and not fully gas-powered. I'm thinking this because of the time-frame that any Trans Am may come out in and the speed they are developing alternative fuel options.

I just WISH they would sell Ethenol in my area. I would have to save up but I'd get my mechanic to ready Dryden to run on that. Imagine a 4-bangin' duker on Ethenol. Phear my 6000!

I can't complain though. Those 4-cyl. engines are great for city dwellers and Dryden STILL isn't past the 1/2 tank mark YET, and I filled up last on August 3rd. That's the car's norm. Usually I fill up every 2 or 3 months. I'm curbing my driving as much as possible so I can squeeze more out of it.

I would love to see a new Firebird too. Again, if they do the design right and very similar to the older designs. I liked the GTA and Forumlas that had the KITT-ish front nose and awesome wrap-around spoilers. I loved KITT's design too, but the newer ones - I think KITT would rock as one of THOSE!

The more I see them around here, the more I like them.

[pdennis93]

I think trans Am's never came in the 90s?

my 1995 TA says otherwise

[TurbomanKnight]

I think trans Am's never came in the 90s?

my 1995 TA says otherwise

I'll add that car to my list.

[pdennis93]

List?

[TurbomanKnight]

List of cars im gonna steal from you guys. lol

[pdennis93]

lol its a good thing GM put VATS on all the fbodies after 1992

[TurbomanKnight]

Darn.

[FuzzieDice]

You guys are hilarious.

[pdennis93]

not to mention my secondary kill switch, and well if you open kitts door he will scream and hollar at you in the form of a nice loud siren


speaking of that i should set up a sound file that says something like "I am the knight industries two thousand and i suggest you remove yourself from my presence" or something like that, you know, splice some words together... (i was watching goliath returns earlier, haha)

reminds me of a POS chevy astro van i once saw while i was in college (around 1998)

i walked by this hunk -o- *?$# and it yelled out

"YO!!!! I know you wanna step inside, but please move away from the ride" (in a very Ghetto voice i might add )

i about died laughing