Front view of a Black, 1981, Pontiac Firebird, in the Ewbanks Live auction, at the 2023 British Motor Show
The 1981 model year became the final run for the second-generation Pontiac Firebird. The three engine options were unchanged for the model line-up, however, the option for a four-speed Borg Warner Super T-10 was re-introduced for the Formula and Trans Am, but was only available with the Chevrolet sourced LG4 305 " LITRE" V8. The W72 E/C 301 replaced the standard 301, so the W72 code was dropped as all 301 engines featured the Electronic Spark Control system. The 301T now became certified to pass Californian and H/A emissions requirements, making it the most powerful Pontiac engine to be sold in California since the mid-1970s. As with all other General Motors vehicles for 1981, all engines came equipped with the "computer command control" system attached to the carburetor.[54][55] The hood decal for the 1981 model year was also slightly restyled. All Firebirds also received an embossed silver Firebird decal on the petrol tank cap attached to the rear taillights. On the special edition Trans Ams, this Firebird was gold. The "Turbo" wheel previously exclusive to the 301 Turbo cars now became available across the Esprit and Formula line in a slightly smaller size (" as opposed to the WS6 Formula/Trans Am 15x8") The Formula received some changes for the 1981 model year, as previously in 1979, the two-tone W50 style paint was standard without the Formula lettering. However, if the W50 package was not ordered, the Formula simply appeared in the single color they were ordered in with the smaller fender decals. This also prompted an increase in price for the W50 option as the decals were not included in the base Formula package anymore. In mid-1981, the Buick V6 became the standard engine in the Formula. The G80 "Safe-T-Track" limited-slip differential that was previously standard for the last decade on all Trans Ams became a pay-extra option. This decision was made by Pontiac to prepare dealers for the new ordering and pricing for the third-generation Firebird
Size: 5616px × 3744px
Location: Farnborough International Expo Centre, Farnborough,
Photo credit: © John Gaffen / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
Keywords: -bar, -generation, , 305, 1981, 2023, american, auction, black, british, car, car., centre, designed, engine, ewbanks, expo, farnborough, final, firebird, front, international, lg4, litre, live, motor, muscle, pontiac, pony, rear-wheel-drive, roof, run, show, v8
