An updated and enlarged examination of the complete model history of General Motor's upmarket F body variant. Close attention is paid to both regular and high level model variants (Formula & Trans Am), and how Pontiac made its Firebird unique. Includes 81 new images.

Over a 40-year period, the Pontiac Firebird has earned a unique place among speedy American domestic cars. What started out as another contender in the ‘me too’ Mustang pony car race, ended up a classic. This updated and enlarged third edition of Pontiac Firebird - The Auto-Biography chronicles the definitive history of the Pontiac Firebird. Close attention is paid to both regular and high-level model variants (Formula & Trans Am), and how Pontiac made its Firebird unique. The Firebird’s tale reflects the development of the mainstream domestic car in the modern era: V8s, turbo V8s, turbo V6s, HO V6s, overhead cam I6s, and even a Super Duty four banger. If there’s a performance avenue to be explored, then the Firebird has been there. Popular with car fans and in the sales charts, the Firebird has had a high profile both in television and at the movies, ensuring the Firebird legend just gets bigger and bigger. From the go-faster 1960s, gas mileage- and pollution-controlled 1970s, performance renaissance of the 1980s, through to the indifference of the 1990s, the Firebird was always there. This is its story. Cutting edge research and over 350 colour photos – including over 80 new images for this third edition – bring this in-depth, incredibly detailed legend to life. Through formal study of the postwar American car market, Marc Cranswick brings valuable insight to the subject.

New 4th Edition

Pontiac Firebird: 50 Years chronicles the Firebird's rich history, from its inception in 1960 to its continued popularity today.

Ride along during a historical cruise of muscle car advertising from the '50s, '60s, and '70s. Near full size ads paint the history of thundering muscle cars from three tumultuous decades. This valuable reference depicts some of the last remnants of promotional print material containing hard-to-find factory facts and images on muscle car models. More than 160 ads have been restored to their original, vibrant color. Muscle cars from American Motors, Buick, Chevrolet, Chrysler, Dodge, Ford, General Motors, Mercury, Oldsmobile, Plymouth, and Pontiac are included. Covers popular models such as Javelins, Gremlins, Barracudas, Belvederes, Road Runners, Chargers, Camaros, Corvettes, Novas, and GTOs.

The entire history of "Pontiac's Firebird," from the first models in 1967 to the brand-new 2000 editions, is accompanied by detailed photography from the GM archives. Design and development details, engine specifications, and production information is provided for the vast majority of production models, including the Firebird, Esprit, Formula and, of course, Trans-Am. Rare images from the design room offer glimpses of ideas that never made it to the production line.

Embrace the thundering horsepower of Firebird in this full-color reference featuring comprehensive coverage of every Firebird built from 1967 to 2002. Listings for more than 725 models provide vehicle descriptions, serial number explanations, original price and weight charts, equipment and available production data, engine details, historical facts, VIN information, and collector values from Old Cars Price Guide for 1967 to 1995 models. Covers all 35 years of production.