Pontiac Firebird (1977) – Ultimate Guide

Introduction

  • Four models were offered: base, Esprit, Formula, and Trans Am
  • New front-end styling for the Firebird coupe featured quad rectangular headlamps and an aggressive grille.
  • Four models were offered: base, Esprit, Formula, and Trans Am
  • Formula’s new hood had simulated air scoops and at its rear end was a spoiler
  • The wheelbase was 108 in.
  • The inline six-cylinder base engine was replaced with a 231-cid (3.8-liter) V6
  • A 301-cid and 305-cid engine were introduced
  • The 403-cid (6.6-liter) V-8 was the largest engine
  • Firebird’s new grille was deeply recessed, directly in line with the quad rectangular headlamps
  • Its simple pattern consisted of a series of round-like (hexagonal) holes, resembling fencing more than a customary grille.
  • A “Pontiac” nameplate went on the driver’s side of the grille
  • Crossbar trimmed amber park/signal lamps were also recessed, but into the outer ends of twin air intake slots below the bumper strip.
  • The center front panel protruded forward to a slight point and contained the usual Pontiac emblem, but its sides were more sharply angled than the 1976 version
  • Esprit could have a new blue “SkyBird” appearance package with blue velour seating, two-tone blue body and blue cast aluminum wheels.
  • Firebird Formula came with a new 301-cid (5.0-liter) two-barrel V-8.
  • Its body displayed blacked-out trim, dual hood scoops, and large “Formula” graphics on the lower door.
  • The Trans Am had a new shaker hood and came with a standard 400-cid or 403-cid V-8.
  • Also available was an optional “T/A 6.6” power plant.

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
W Trans Am
3 & 4 87 hardtop coupe
5 Engine code
  • C = 231-cid two-barrel V-6
  • Y = 301-cid two-barrel V-8
  • U = 305-cid four-barrel V-8
  • P = 350-cid four-barrel V-8 (L76)
  • R = 350-cid four-barrel V-8
  • L = 350-cid four-barrel V-8 (LM1)
  • Z = 400-cid four-barrel V-8
  • K = 403-cid four-barrel V-8
6 7 Year: 1977
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
2F S87 2-door Hardtop Base Firebird – V6 4 $4269 3264 30,642
both 6 & V8
2F S87 2-door Hardtop Base Firebird – V8 4 $4334 3349
2F T87 2-door Hardtop Esprit – V6 4 $4550 3312 34,548
2F T87 2-door Hardtop Esprit – V8 4 $4615 3397
2F U87 2-door Hardtop Formula 4 $4976 3411 21,801
2F W87 2-door Hardtop Trans Am 4 $5456 3526 68,745

ENGINE

VIN Code C Y U P (L76) R (Olds) L (LM1) (Chev) Z K
Cylinders 90° V-6 90° V-8 90° V-8 90° V-8 90° V-8 90° V-8 90° V-8 90° V-8
Valving Overhead valve Overhead valve Overhead valve Overhead valve Overhead valve Overhead valve Overhead valve Overhead valve
Block Cast-iron Cast-iron Cast-iron Cast-iron Cast-iron Cast-iron Cast-iron Cast-iron
Head Cast-iron Cast-iron Cast-iron Cast-iron Cast-iron Cast-iron Cast-iron Cast-iron
Bore & Stroke 3.80 x 3.40 in. 4.00 x 3.00 in. 3.74 x 3.48 in. 3.88 x 3.75 in. 4.06 x 3.38 4.00 x 3.48 4.12 x 3.75 4.35 x 3.38
Displacement 231 cid (3.8 liters) 301 cid (5.0 liters) 305 cid (5.0 liters) 350 cid (5.7 liters) 350 cid (5.7 liters) 350 cid (5.7 liters) 400 cid (6.6 liters) 403 cid (6.6 liters)
Compression ratio 8.0 : 1 8.2 : 1 8.5 : 1 7.6 : 1 8.0 : 1 8.5 : 1 7.6 : 1 8.0 : 1
Brake H.P. 105 @ 3200 rpm 135 @ 3800 145 @ 3800 rpm 170 @ 4000 rpm 170 @ 3800 rpm 170 @ 3800 rpm 180 @ 3600 rpm 185 @ 3600 rpm
Torque (lb-ft) 185 @ 2000 rpm 235-245 @ 2000 rpm 245 @ 2400 rpm 280 @ 1800 rpm 275 @ 2000 rpm 270 @ 2400 rpm 325 @ 1600 rpm 320 @ 2200 rpm
Main bearings Four Five Five Five Five Five Five Five
Valve lifters Hydraulic
Carburetor 2-barrel Rochester 2GC 2-barrel Rochester 2-barrel Rochester 2GC 4-barrel Rochester M4MC 4-barrel Rochester M4MC 4-barrel Rochester M4MC 4-barrel Rochester M4MC 4-barrel Rochester M4MC

TRANSMISSION

Three-speed manual floor shift
Four-speed manual shift
Three-speed automatic
V-6 Engine gear ratio 3.08 : 1
V-8 301 Engine gear ratio 3.23 : 1
V-8 323 Engine gear ratio 2.41 : 1
Trans Am gear ratio 3.23 : 1 or 3.42 : 1

CHASSIS

FEATURE Firebird Esprit Formula Trans Am
Wheelbase 108.1 in. 108.1 in. 108.1 in. 108.1 in.
Overall length 196.8 in. 196.8 in. 196.8 in. 196.8 in.
Height 49.1 in. 49.4 49.4 49.6
Width 73.0 73.0 73.0 73.0
Front tread 60.9 60.9 61.3 61.2
Rear tread 60.0 60.0 60.4 60.3
Tires FR78x15 FR78x15 FR78x15 GR70x15
Steering Recirculating ball
Front suspension coil springs with lower trailing links and anti-sway bar
Rear suspension semi-elliptic leaaf springs with anti-sway bar
Brakes Front disc, rear drums
Ignition Electronic
Body construction Unit with separate partial frame
Fuel tank 20.2 gal

OPTIONS

301-cid V-8 $65
350-cid four-barrel V-8 (Firebird) $155
350-cid four-barrel V-8 (Formula) $90
400-cid four-barrel V-8 (Formula) $155 – $205
400-cid four-barrel V-8 (Trans Am) $50
Four-speed manual transmission (Firebird) $257
Turbo-Hydra-Matic $248
Safe-T-Track differential $54
Rally RTS handling package $46 – $116
Heavy-duty battery $16 – $18
Maintenance-free battery $31
Heavy-duty alternator $45
Engine block heater $12 – $13
Esprit Skybird appearance package $325 – $342
Trans Am Special Edition $556 – $1143
Firebird custom trim group $27 – $118
Formula appearance package $127
Air conditioning $442 – $540
Cruise control $80 – $84
Power windows $108 – $151
Glass sunroof $587
Canopy top $105
Rear spoiler $51

HISTORICAL NOTES

1977 Firebird Notes

  • Introduced Sept. 30, 1976
  • Alex C. Mair was Pontiac’s general manager
  • High sales of the Trans Am of 1977-79 was certainly due to the 1977 movie Smokey and the Bandit starring Burt Reynolds, Sally Fields, and Jackie Gleason. It was a cops-and-robbers chase spectacular. The “bandit” was the unstoppable black Trans Am.

1977 Automotive Notes

  • Imported-car sales reach two million
  • President Carter appoints Joan Claybrook (colleague of Ralph Nader) as head of the National Traffic Safety Administration
  • US Dept. of Transportation says all cars beginning 1982 must have air bags
  • GM news:
    • Elliott M. Estes was president of GM
    • Thomas A. Murphy was chairman of the board at GM
    • Chevrolet outsells Ford by over 700,000 followed by Oldsmobile, Pontiac, and Buick
    • Chevrolet adds compact Concours as an upmarket Nova
    • Full-size Buick gets a new 403-cid V-8 (6.6 litre) option
    • Cadillac gets a more efficient 425-cid V-8 (7 litre) engine
    • Vega’s poor reputation results in few sales and is removed from lineup
    • Monza is similar to Vega and remains for a few more years
    • Mid-year Camaro Z28 has less power than early 1970’s but still sells well
    • Oldsmobile’s 455-cid V-8 (7.4 litre) is replaced with a 403-cid V-8 (6.6 litre)
    • Mid-season Pontiac introduces Phoenix based on the Ventura
    • Pontiac’s 2.5-litre “Iron Duke” four-cylinder engines goes into Astre, Sunbird, Phoenix, Ventura and other GM models
    • Mid-year Pontiac brings out a “Cam Am” a Cameo White Le Mans Sport Coupe with T/A 4.03-cid V-8 (6.6 litre) Rally handling package, special trim, etc.
  • Ford news:
    • Mid-size Torino is now LTD II
    • New Thunderbird built on mid-size LTD II platform to replace Ford Elite
    • Lincoln introduces the Versailles as an upscale Granada/Monarch to compete with Cadillac Seville
    • Lincoln introduces Continental Mark V which is lighter than the Mark IV and sells better
    • Cougar name replaces Montego for all mid-size coupes, sedans, and wagons
  • Chrysler news:
    • Plymouth sales in sixth place, but Dodge moves up from eighth to seventh
    • Chrysler introduces mid-size LeBaron and Diplomat based on the compact Aspen/Volare
    • In Canada, Plymouth offers a Diplomat clone called Caravelle
    • Full-size Monaco is called Royal Monaco; mid-size cars are now Monaco
  • AMC news:
    • Gremlin gets a new eggcrate grille and an Audi-designed 4-cylinder engine
    • Pacer adds a 3-door wagon
  • Other makes news:
  • Top American Automobile Corporations for 1977
1. General Motors  5,766,298
2. Ford   2,553,691
3. Chrysler  1,471,683
4. AMC  182,005
5. Others  683
  • Top model year production for 1977
Chevrolet  2,543,153
Ford  1,840,427
Oldsmobile  1,135,803
Pontiac  850,620
Buick  845,234
Skyhawk  12,345
Skylark  113,472
Century   135,690
Regal   192,506
LeSabre  190,726
Estate Wagon  25,075
Electra   225161,627
Riviera   26,138
Plymouth  546,132
Dodge  526,254
Mercury   521,909
Chrysler   399,297
Cadillac   358,488
Seville  44,060
DeVille   234,171
Eldorado   47,344
Fleetwood Brougham   28,000
Fleetwood Limousine  3,913
Lincoln1   91,355
AMC  182,005
Gremlin  46,171
Pacer   58,264
Hornet  77,843
Matador   30,847
Checker   300
Excalibur   237
Avanti II   146

1977 FIREBIRD Photo Gallery