1997 PONTIAC FIREBIRD


PRODUCT OVERVIEW:

The Canadian-built Pontiac Firebird, Formula and Trans Am coupe
and convertible models offer sports car customers styling, features
and technology.  These cars are designed to appeal to those carbuyers
who place a premium on the driving experience.


NEW FOR 1997:

*  New instrument panel cluster modifications
*  4-speed automatic transmission now standard with Formula and Trans Am
   models; 6-speed manual transmission now optional
*  High-polished aluminum wheels and exhaust tips added to Ram Air package
*  New Sport Appearance Package available on V6-equipped Firebird
*  Air conditioning now standard on all models
*  4-way manual seat adjuster, bodyside moulding, rear floor mats now
   standard on all models
*  Uplevel spoiler standard on Trans Am coupe
*  New floor console with auxiliary power outlet and four cupholders
*  Available remote 12-disc CD changer
*  Damper added to 3800 Series II V6 engine for noise and vibration
   reduction
*  One new exterior and interior trim colours
*  New interior cloth trim material


MODELS:   Firebird  (2-door coupe)
          Firebird  (2-door convertible)
          Formula   (2-door coupe)
          Formula   (2-door convertible)
          Trans Am  (2-door coupe)
          Trans Am  (2-door convertible)
          Formula Ram Air  (2-door coupe)- package
          Trans Am Ram Air (2-door coupe)- package


VEHICLE CLASS:  Sporty


ASSEMBLY LOCATION:  Ste. Therese, Quebec


CUSTOMER PROFILE:

Three-quarters of Firebird buyers are men (18-49 years old).  
These younger, white-collar professionals place a high value on
the driving experience.  They appreciate Firebird's handling,
performance and extroverted style.



EXTERIOR FEATURES                                 FIREBIRD  FORMULA  TRANS
                                                                        AM
Antenna        Fixed mast (black), right rear        S         S        S
               Power                                 O         O        O
Glass          Tinted, Solar Ray (TM)                S         S        S
Headlamps      Retractable                           S         S        S
Mirror         Left hand remote control; right
               direct, body colour                   S         S        NA
               Left and right remote control,
               body colour                           NA        NA       S
Moulding       Body side, body colour                S         S        S
               Rocker                                NA        NA       S
Spoiler        Integral rear deck                    S         S        NA
               Uplevel                               NA        NA       S
Wheels         16" x 8" five-spoke cast aluminum
               w/compact spare steel wheel           S         S        S
Wipers         Variable intermittent                 S         S        S

S - Standard Equipment.  O - Optional Equipment.  NA - Not available.



EXTERIOR FEATURES                                     CONVERTIBLE MODELS:
                                                   FIREBIRD  FORMULA  TRANS
                                                                        AM
Antenna        Fixed mast (black), right rear        S         S        NA
               Power                                 O         O         S
Glass          Tinted, Solar Ray (TM)                S         S         S
Headlamps      Retractable                           S         S         S
Mirror         Left hand remote control; right
               direct, body colour                   NA        NA       NA
               Left and right remote control,
               body colour                           S         S         S
Moulding       Body side, body colour                S         S         S
               Rocker                                NA        NA        S
Spoiler        Integral rear                         S         S         S
               Uplevel                               NA        NA       NA
Wheels         16" x 8" five-spoke cast aluminum
               w/compact spare steel wheel           S         S         S
Wipers         Variable intermittent                 S         S         S

S - Standard Equipment.  O - Optional Equipment.  NA - Not available.



INTERIOR FEATURES                                 FIREBIRD  FORMULA  TRANS
                                                                        AM
Air Conditioning
               Manual w/CFC-free refrigerant         S         S         S
Console        Centre w/armrest, storage compartment
               and cupholder                         S         S         S
Cruise Control Cruise control                        O         O         S
Defogger       Rear window                           S         S         S
Instrumentation
               Analogue w/tachometer, coolant
               temperature, voltmeter, oil pressure
               gauge, trip odometer, and low oil
               level sensor light                    S         S         S
               Speedometer, 150 km/h                 S         NA        NA
               Speedometer, 240 km/h                 NA        S         S
               Low coolant level sensor              NA        S         S
Lighting       Rear compartment                      S         S         S
               Rear compartment and trunk            NA        NA       NA
Map Pockets    In door                               S         S         S
Mats           Front carpeted insert                 S         S         S
               Rear carpeted insert                  S         S         S
Mirror         Inside rearview w/dual reading lamps  S         S         S
               Left and right visor w/map straps     S         S         S
               Left and right power control          O         O         S
Power          Retained accessory power              S         S         S
               Windows and door locks                O         O         S
               Trunk release                         S         S         S
Radio          AM/FM stereo, seek/scan, auto-reverse
               music search cassette, equalizer,
               clock, 10-speaker quad system and
               radio control steering wheel w/leather
               wrapped steering wheel, transmission
               shifter and emergency brake handle    NA        NA        S
               AM/FM stereo, seek/scan, auto-reverse
               music search cassette, clock and 4
               coaxial speakers                      O         O         O
               AM/FM stereo, seek/scan, auto-reverse
               music search cassette, equalizer,
               clock, 6-speaker system and radio
               control steering wheel w/leather
               wrapped steering wheel, transmission
               shifter and emergency brake handle    O         O         S
               AM/FM stereo, seek/scan, compact disc,
               equalizer, 4 coaxial speakers, clock  O         O         O
               AM/FM stereo, seek/scan, compact disc,
               equalizer, 6 speakers w/front door
               tweeters  and woofers                 NA        NA       NA
               Compact disc changer
               w/12-disc magazine                    O         O         O
Seats          Cloth reclining buckets w/console,
               integral head restraints, and rear
               full folding back seat                S         S         S
               4-way manual driver seat adjuster     S         S         S
Steering Wheel Tilt                                  S         S         S
               Radio controls; leather-wrapped
               steering wheel/transmission shifter
               and emergency brake release handle    O         O         O

S - Standard Equipment.  O - Optional Equipment.  NA - Not available.



INTERIOR FEATURES                                    CONVERTIBLE MODELS:
                                                   FIREBIRD  FORMULA  TRANS
                                                                        AM

Air Conditioning
               Manual w/CFC-free refrigerant         S         S         S

Console        Centre w/armrest, storage compartment
               and cupholder                         S         S         S
Cruise Control Cruise control                        S         S         S
Defogger       Rear window                           S         S         S
Instrumentation
               Analogue w/tachometer, coolant
               temperature, voltmeter, oil pressure
               gauge, trip odometer, and low oil
               level sensor light                    S         S         S
               Speedometer, 150 km/h                 S         NA       NA
               Speedometer, 240 km/h                 NA        S         S
               Low coolant level sensor              NA        S         S
Lighting       Rear compartment                      NA        NA       NA
               Rear compartment and trunk            S         S         S
Map Pockets    In door                               S         S         S
Mats           Front carpeted insert                 S         S         S
               Rear carpeted insert                  S         S         S
Mirror         Inside rearview w/dual reading lamps  S         S         S
               Left and right visor w/map straps     S         S         S
               Left and right power control          O         O         O
Power          Retained accessory power              S         S         S
               Windows and door locks                S         S         S
               Trunk release                         S         S         S
Radio          AM/FM stereo, seek/scan, auto-reverse
               music search cassette, equalizer,
               clock, 10-speaker quad system and
               radio control steering wheel w/leather
               wrapped steering wheel, transmission
               shifter and emergency brake handle    O         O         S
               AM/FM stereo, seek/scan, auto-reverse
               music search cassette, clock and 4
               coaxial speakers                      S         S        NA
               AM/FM stereo, seek/scan, auto-reverse
               music search cassette, equalizer,
               clock, 6-speaker system and radio
               control steering wheel w/leather
               wrapped steering wheel, transmission
               shifter and emergency brake handle    O         O         S
               AM/FM stereo, seek/scan, compact disc,
               equalizer, 4 coaxial speakers, clock  O         O         O
               AM/FM stereo, seek/scan, compact disc,
               equalizer, 6 speakers w/front door
               tweeters and woofers                  O         O         O
               Compact disc changer
               w/12-disc magazine                    O         O         O
Seats          Cloth reclining buckets w/console,
               integral head restraints, and 4-way
               manual driver seat adjuster, and rear
               full folding back seat                S         S         S
Seats          Cloth reclining buckets, w/integral
               head restraints, and rear full
               folding back seat                     NA        NA       NA
               4-way manual driver seat adjuster     S         S         S
Steering Wheel Tilt                                  S         S         S
               Radio controls; leather-wrapped
               steering wheel/transmission shifter
               and emergency brake release handle    O         O         O

S - Standard Equipment.  O - Optional Equipment.  NA - Not available.



POWER TEAMS/CHASSIS/MECHANICAL                    FIREBIRD  FORMULA  TRANS
                                                                         AM

Axle           Posi-traction limited slip            O         S         S
               3.23 axle ratio                       O         O         O
Brakes         Power front disc, rear drum,
               anti-lock (ABS)                       S         NA       NA
               Power front and rear disc,
               anti-lock (ABS)                       O         S         S
Engine         3800 Series II V6                     S         NA       NA
               5.7-litre V8 SFI                      NA        S         S
Exhaust        Stainless steel                       S         S         S
Heater         Engine block                          S         S         S
Performance
 Suspension Pkg.
               Intended for Serious Performance
               Enthusiasts Only - Includes
               P245/50ZR16 Highway high- performance
               tires, special handling suspension
               system and larger stabilizer bars,
               stiffer springs, shock absorbers and
               bushings, and 3.42 axle ratio
               w/6-speed manual or 3.23 axle ratio
               w/4-speed automatic transmission      NA        O        NA
Performance
 Handling Pkg. Includes base 3.23 axle ratio w/manual
               transmission and 3.42 axle w/automatic
               transmission, limited slip differential,
               front and rear disc brakes, and
               P235/55R16 all-season touring tires   O         NA       NA
"Ram Air"
 Performance Pkg.
               Includes 305-hp Ram Air induction
               system, functional air hood scoops,
               5 spoke aluminum wheels, P275/50ZR16
               highway high performance blackwall
               tires, high-polished dual oval exhaust
               outlets and unique rear fascia badging
               and "Ram Air" hood scoop decals       NA        O         O
Steering       Power rack and pinion                 S         S         S
Suspension     Firm ride and handling                S         NA       NA
               Performance ride and handling         NA        S         S
               Front and rear stabilizers            S         S         S
Tires          P215/60R16 all season touring         S         NA       NA
               P235/55R16 all season touring         O         S         S
               P245/50Rx16 all season performance    NA        NA        S
               P245/50ZR16/N high-performance        NA        O         O
               P245/50ZR16/N all-weather all season
               performance                           NA        O         O
               P275/40ZR17 performance               NA        NA        O
Traction Control
               Electronic                            NA        O         O
Transmission   5-speed manual                        S         NA       NA
               6-speed manual                        NA        O         O
               4-speed automatic                     O         S         S

S - Standard Equipment.  O - Optional Equipment.  NA - Not available.



POWER TEAMS/CHASSIS/MECHANICAL                        CONVERTIBLE MODELS:
                                                   FIREBIRD  FORMULA  TRANS
                                                                        AM
Axle           Posi-traction limited slip            O         S         S
               3.23 axle ratio                       NA        O         O
Brakes         Power front disc, rear drum, anti-
               lock (ABS)                            S         NA       NA
               Power front and rear disc, anti-lock  O         S         S
Engine         3800 Series II V6                     S         NA       NA
               5.7-litre V8 SFI                      NA        S         S
Exhaust        Stainless steel                       S         S         S
Heater         Engine block                          S         S         S
Performance
 Suspension Pkg.
               Intended for Serious Performance
               Enthusiasts Only - Includes P245/
               50ZR16 Highway high- performance
               tires, special handling suspension
               system and larger stabilizer bars,
               stiffer springs, shock absorbers and
               bushings, and 3.42 axle ratio w/6-speed
               manual or 3.23 axle ratio w/4-speed
               automatic transmission                NA        NA       NA
Performance
 Handling Pkg. Includes base 3.23 axle ratio w/manual
               transmission and 3.42 axle with
               automatic transmission, limited slip
               differential, front and rear disc
               brakes, P235/55R16 all- season touring
               tires and aluminum wheels             O         NA       NA
"Ram Air"
 Performance Pkg.
               Includes 305-hp Ram Air induction
               system, functional air hood scoops,
               5 spoke aluminum wheels, P275/50ZR16
               highway high performance blackwall
               tires, high-polished dual oval exhaust
               outlets and unique rear fascia badging
               and "Ram Air" hood scoop decals and
               unique rear fascia badging and
               "Ram Air" hood scoop decals           NA        O         O
Steering       Power rack and pinion                 S         S         S
Suspension     Firm ride and handling                S         NA       NA
               Performance ride and handling         NA        S         S
               Front and rear stabilizers            S         S         S
Tires          P215/60R16 all season touring         S         NA       NA
               P235/55R16 all season touring         O         S        NA
               P245/50Rx16 all season performance    NA        NA        S
               P245/50ZR16/N high-performance        NA        O         O
               P245/50ZR16/N all-weather all season
               performance                           NA        NA       NA
Traction
 Control       Electronic                            NA        O         O
Transmission   5-speed manual                        S         NA       NA
               6-speed manual                        NA        O         O
               4-speed automatic                     O         S         S

S - Standard Equipment.  O - Optional Equipment.  NA - Not available.



SAFETY/SECURITY                                   FIREBIRD  FORMULA  TRANS
                                                                         AM
Air Bags       Driver and passenger                  S         S         S
Alarm System   Remote keyless entry and vehicle
               content theft alarm system            O         O         S
Anti-Lock
 Brakes        4-wheel                               S         S         S
Daytime Lights Daytime running lamps w/automatic
               light control                         S         S         S
Fog Lamps      Fog lamps                             NA        NA        S
Keyless Entry  Remote keyless entry system           O         O         O
Theft Deterrent
               PASS-Key II (TM) system               S         S         S
Traction
 Control       Electronic                            NA        O         O
Roadside
 Service       24-hour Roadside Assistance           S         S         S

S - Standard Equipment.  O - Optional Equipment.  NA - Not available.



SAFETY/SECURITY                                      CONVERTIBLE MODELS:
                                                   FIREBIRD  FORMULA  TRANS
                                                                         AM
Air Bags       Driver and passenger                  S         S         S
Alarm System   Vehicle content theft alarm system    O         O         S
Anti-Lock
 Brakes        4-wheel                               S         S         S
Daytime Lights Daytime running lamps w/automatic
               light control                         S         S         S
Fog Lamps      Fog lamps                             NA        NA        S
Keyless Entry  Remote keyless entry system           O         O         S
Theft Deterrent
               PASS-Key II (TM) system               S         S         S
Traction
 Control       Electronic                            NA        O         O
Roadside
 Service       24-hour Roadside Assistance           S         S         S

S - Standard Equipment.  O - Optional Equipment.  NA - Not available.



               
TECHNICAL PRODUCT INFORMATION


FRAME          Integral body/frame

BODY MATERIAL  Polymer composite front fenders, roof, doors, hatch, front
               and rear fascias; two-sided galvanized steel hood and rear
               quarter panels

SUSPENSION     Front  Independent Short/Long Arm, coil spring,
                      stabilizer bar
                Rear  Live (Salisbury) axle, torque arms, track bar
                      w/coil springs and stabilizer bar

BRAKES         Firebird/Formula - Power-assisted, vented front disc/rear
                                  drum,ABS
               Trans Am - Power-assisted, vented discs (front and rear),
                          ABS

STEERING       Rack-and-pinion, power-assisted


WHEELS         FIREBIRD/           FORMULA/TRANS AM/   TRANS AM CONVERT.
               FIREBIRD CONVERT.   FORMULA CONVERT.
         
      16" x 8" steel      16" x 8" 5-spoke    16" x 8" 5-spoke
               5-spoke aluminum    cast-aluminum       cast-aluminum

TIRES          P215/60R16          P235/55R16          P245/50R16
               all-season          all-season          all-season
               touring             touring             performance



ENGINES             3800 Series II V6        5700 V8 (LT1)
Type                90-degree OHV V6         90-degree OHV V8
Bore x Stroke       96.5 x 86.4 mm           101.6 x 88.4 mm
                    (3.8 x 3.4")             (4.0 x 3.5")
Displacement        3791 cc (231 cu.in.)     5737 cc (350 cu.in.)
Compression Ratio   9.4:1                    10.4:1
Fuel                Regular Unleaded         Premium Unleaded
Fuel Induction      Sequential F.I.          Sequential F.I.
Horsepower          200 hp @ 5200 rpm        285 hp @ 5000 rpm
Torque              225 lb.-ft. @ 4000 rpm   325 lb.-ft @ 2400 rpm


LAYOUT         Front engine / rear-wheel drive


TRANSMISSIONS
               5-speed manual   6-speed manual   4-speed electronic
               w/overdrive      w/overdrive      automatic w/overdrive
Gear Ratios    1st 3.75         2.66             3.06
          2nd  2.19             1.78             1.63
          3rd  1.41             1.30             1.00
          4th  1.00             1.00             0.70
          5th  0.72             0.74             ----
          6th  ----             0.50             ----
      Reverse  3.52             2.90             2.29
  Final Drive  3.23 (3.8L V6)   3.42 (5.7L V8)   3.08 (3.8L V6)
                                                  2.73 (5.7L V8)



EXTERIOR DIMENSIONS
               COUPES              CONVERTIBLES
Wheelbase      2566 mm (101.1")    2566 mm (101.1")
Length         4968 mm (195.6")    4968 mm (195.6")
               4968 mm (195.6")    5005 mm (197.0")- Trans Am
                                                      (coupe/convertible)
Width          1893 mm ( 74.5")    1893 mm ( 74.5")
Height         1312 mm ( 51.7")    1340 mm ( 52.7")
               1312 mm ( 51.7")    1331 mm ( 52.4")- Trans Am
                                                      (convertible)
Track   Front  1542 mm ( 60.7")    1542 mm ( 60.7")
         Rear  1540 mm ( 60.6")    1540 mm ( 60.6")


INTERIOR DIMENSIONS
               COUPES              CONVERTIBLES
Leg Room       1093/ 733 mm        1093/ 733 mm
 front/rear    (43.0/28.9")        (43.0/28.9")
Head Room       944/ 896 mm         944/ 896 mm
 front/rear    (37.2/35.3")        (37.2/35.30")
Shoulder Room  1458/1417 mm        1458/1417 mm
 front/rear    (57.4/55.8")        (57.4/55.8")
Hip Room       1340/1129 mm        1340/1129 mm
 front/rear    (52.8/44.4")        (52.8/44.4")


WEIGHTS / CAPACITIES
Curb Weights   1520 kg (3350 lb.)- Firebird / Firebird Formula
               1585 kg (3490 lb.)- Trans Am
               1580 kg (3480 lb.)- Firebird / Firebird Formula
                                   Convertibles
               1640 kg (3610 lb.)- Trans Am Convertible

Fuel Capacity  59 L (13.0 gal.)
Seating        2/2

Trunk Volumes  366 L (12.9 cu.ft.)- Coupes - w/rear seat up
               215 L ( 7.6 cu.ft.)- Convertibles - w/rear seat up
               953 L (33.7 cu.ft.)- Coupes / Convertibles
                                              - w/ rear seat down
Liftover Height  892 mm (35.1")
Interior Volume  2379 L (84.0 cu.ft.)