1975 Pontiac Firebird

Pontiac Firebird (1975) – Ultimate Guide

Introduction

The 1975 Firebirds looked very much the same as the 1974 models except for a new roofline with a wrap-around backlight (i.e., rear window).
High-Efficiency ignition was added to the equipment list
Radial-tuned suspension was added to the equipment list
The base model had conventional wipers and minimal trim
Esprits had concealed wipers, decor moldings, door handle inserts, and signature script on the roof pillar
The base engine for the Esprit was the Chevy-built 105 hp 6-cyl
Formulas featured heavy-duty chassis and distinctive twin hood scoops
The Trans Ams had flares, spoilers, extractors, shaker hood scoop, and Firebird decals
At the beginning of the year, the biggest engine for the Trans Am was the 400 cid V-8; but by midyear, the 455 cid V-8 was back. However, it had single exhausts and a catalytic converter. It yielded only 200 hp.
Because the maximum horsepower dropped from 290 to 200, the M40 automatic was discontinued in favor of the M38 automatic.

I.D. NUMBERS

VIN Location		On top of dash at left, viewable through windshield
Position	Character	Description
1	2	General Motors: Pontiac Division
2	S	Basic Firebird
	T	Firebird Esprit
	U	Firebird Formula
	V	Trans Am
3 & 4	87	hardtop coupe
5	_	Engine code (see listing in engine section)
6	5	Year: 1975
7	_	Assembly plant
8 to 13	100001 and up	production sequence

IDENTIFICATION

Model Number	Style Number	Body Type	Seating	Factory Price	Shipping Weight	Production Total
2FS	S87	2-door Hardtop Base Firebird – 6 cyl	4	$3713	3386	22,293 both 6 & V8
2FS	S87	2-door Hardtop Base Firebird – V8	4	$3843	3610	22,293 both 6 & V8
2FT	T87	2-door Hardtop Esprit – 6 cyl	4	$3958	3431	20,826
2FT	T87	2-door Hardtop Esprit – V8	4	$4088	3655	20,826
2FU	U87	2-door Hardtop Formula	4	$4349	3631	13,670
2FV	V87	2-door Hardtop Trans Am	4	$4740	3716	27,274

ENGINE

MODEL	Code	Type	Displacement	Carb	Compression	Net HP
Base Firebird (std)	D	6-cyl	250 cid	1-V	8.25:1	105 @ 3800 rpm
Base Firebird (opt) (not Calif.)	M	V-8	350 cid	2-V	7.6:1	155 @ 4000 rpm
Base Firebird (opt)	J	V-8	350 cid	4-V	7.6:1	175 @ 4400 rpm
Esprit (std)	D	6-cyl	250 cid	1-V	8.25:1	105 @ 3800 rpm
Esprit (opt) (not Calif.)	M	V-8	350 cid	2-V	7.6:1	155 @ 4000 rpm
Esprit (opt)	J	V-8	350 cid	4-V	7.6:1	175 @ 4400 rpm
Formula (std)	J	V-8	350 cid	4-V	7.6:1	175 @ 4400 rpm
Formula (opt)	S (L78)	V-8	400 cid	4-V	7.6:1	185 @ 3600 rpm
Trans Am (std)	S (L78)	V-8	400 cid	4-V	7.6:1	185 @ 3600 rpm
Trans Am (opt)	Y (L75)	V-8	455 cid	4-V	7.6:1	200 @ 3500 rpm

TRANSMISSION

3-speed manual

4-speed manual

M38 Turbo-Hydra-Matic

CHASSIS

Wheelbase	Overall length	Front tread	Rear tread
108.1 in.	196 in.	60 in.	60 in.

OPTIONS

AM/FM stereo	$213
Cassette tape deck	$130
Vinyl top	$99

PERFORMANCE

MODEL	0-to-60 MPH	QUARTER MILE
Trans Am L78 (185 hp)	9.8 seconds	16.8 seconds

HISTORICAL NOTES

1975 Firebird Notes

All Firebirds sold in California required the M38 Turbo-Hydra-Matic transmission
8314 Firebirds had the 6-cyl engine
26,417 Trans Ams had the 400-cid four-barrel (L78) engine
Of these L78 engined Trans Ams, 20,277 had the automatic transmission while only 6140 had synchromesh manual transmission
857 Trans Ams had the 455 cid four-barrel (L75) engine
All L75 engined Trans Ams had synchromesh manual transmission
Catalytic converters were required on all engines
Dual exhausts were no longer available

1975 Automotive Notes

New car sales drop by nearly two million
New names and models appear: Astre, Bobcat, Charger SE, Cordoba, Elite, Granada, Monarch, Monza, Pacer, Seville, Skyhawk, Starfire
All major automakers install catalytic converters
Automakers are offering large rebates in order to sell cars
The last American convertibles are built (except for Cadillac); automakers fear a federal rule on rollover protection (which never arrives)
GM news:
Elliott M. Estes was president of GM
Thomas A. Murphy was chairman of the board at GM
- In spite of overall sales, Chevrolet outsells Ford by about 200,000 units
- Oldsmobile moves from fourth to third; Pontiac is fourth; and Buick moves up one
- Monza, Starfire, and Skyhawk are built in Canada
- Skyhawk and Starfire are powered by V-6 engines
- Monza is powered by the Vega 4 or small V-8 engine
- Seville promotes it quality and “international” size — the smallest Caddy in over 50 years — in order to attract Mercedes-Benz and BMW buyers
- Seville uses a 350-cid V-8 (5.7 litre) with Bendix fuel injection
- Other Cadillacs have as standard a 500-cid V-8 (8.2 litre) with 190 net horsepower
- Cosworth Vega is introduced
- Experimental air bags are installed in some 1974-75 Buicks, Cadillacs, and Oldsmobile — many owners are not aware they are in the steering wheel
- Sporty Monza 2+2 fastback/hatchback arrives based on the Vega
Ford news:
- The “precision-size” Granada and Monarch feature a mock-Mercedes look and becomes big sellers
- Ford promotes low fuel consumption cars: Pinto, Mustang, and Bobcat
- Ford wants an extension of current emissions standard until after the 1981 models
- Popular demand makes a 302-cid V-8 (5 litre)available in the Mustang II
- Mercury changes the grille on the Pinto to create the Bobcat
Chrysler news:
- Plymouth drops from third to sixth place
- Cordoba and Charger SE are built in Canada
- Cordoba is a personal luxury coupe selling over 150,000 units in its first year
- Dodge Charger SE is a clone to the Cordoba, but does not sell as well
- Mid-size Plymouth is now the Fury; full-size models are Gran Fury
AMC news:
- AMC introduces the egg-shaped Pacer as the “first wide small car”
- AMC plans to put a Wankel rotary engine in the Pacer does not materialize
- AMC introduces an overdrive transmission imported from England
Other makes news:
- Borg-Warner releases its first US-built 5-speed transmission
- Series III Excalibur debuts with a big Chevrolet 454-cid V-8 (7.4 litre)
Top American Automobile Corporations for 1975