page_title: Pontiac Firebird
section_title: Second generation (1970–1981)
hierarchical_section_title: Pontiac Firebird / Second generation (1970–1981)
caption_attribution_description: Pontiac Trans Am
context_page_description: The Pontiac Firebird is an American automobile that was built and produced by Pontiac from the 1967 to 2002 model years. Designed as a pony car to compete with the Ford Mustang and Mercury Cougar, it was introduced on February 23, 1967, simultaneous with GM's Chevrolet division platform-sharing Camaro. This also coincided with the release of the 1967 Mercury Cougar, Ford's upscale, platform-sharing version of the Mustang.
  The name "Firebird" was also previously used by GM for the General Motors Firebird 1950s and early 1960s concept cars.
context_section_description: The second generation debut for the 1970 model year was delayed until February 26, 1970, because of tooling and engineering problems; thus, its popular designation as a 1970½ model, while leftover 1969s were listed in early Pontiac literature without a model-year identification. This generation of Firebirds were available in coupe form only; after the 1969 model year, convertibles were not available until 1989.
  Models
  Firebird Base
  Firebird Esprit
  Firebird Formula
  Firebird Trans-Am
  Special versions and appearance packages
  Formula Appearance Package "W50" (1976–1981)
  Black-and-Gold Trans Am Pontiac 50th Anniversary Limited Edition (1976)
  Black-and-Gold Trans Am Special Edition (1977–1978, 1980–1981)
  Sky Bird Esprit Appearance Package "W60" (1977–1978)
  Gold Trans Am Special Edition "Y88" (1978)
  Red Bird Esprit Appearance Package "W68" (1978–1979)
  Black Trans Am Special Edition "Y84" (1979)
  Trans Am 10th Anniversary Edition (1979)
  Yellow Bird Esprit Appearance Package "W73" (1980)
  Trans Am Turbo Indy Pace Car Edition (1980)
  Trans Am Turbo NASCAR Pace Car Edition (1981)
  Macho Trans-Am (a package offered by the Mecham Pontiac dealership in Glendale, AZ).
  Replacing the "Coke bottle" styling was a more "swoopy" body style, while still retaining some traditional elements. The top of the rear window line going almost straight down to the lip of the trunk lid, a look that was to epitomize F-body styling for the longest period during the Firebird's lifetime. The new design was initially characterized with a large B-pillar, until 1975 when the rear window was enlarged.
caption: 1974 Firebird
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