Pontiac Firebird (1980) – Ultimate Guide
Introduction
- Appearance changes were minimal, but the Firebird got a sharply altered engine selection this year.
- Base engine for base and Esprit models remained the 231-cid (3.8-liter) V-6.
- A new 265-cid (4.3-liter) V-8 was optional along with a 301-cid (4.9-liter) four-barrel V-8.
- Trans Ams now carried the E/C 301-cid four-barrel V-8, which was optional on Formula models.
- Both the Trans Am and Formula could also get a new turbocharged 301-cid four barrel.
- As in other models, California cars had a modified selection, including a 305-cid V-8 standard in the Trans Am and formula.
- Base and Esprit Firebirds still had a three-speed manual transmission, while the Formula and Trans Am carried automatic transmissions.
- All California Firebirds were equipped with automatic transmission.
- Dual exhausts came in a lighter weight design this year.
- Turbocharged Firebirds included a unique hood with special bird decal.
- Turbo graphics went on the hood and deck lid spoiler.
- Another bird decal was available for non-turbo Trans Ams.
- A new “Yellow Bird” option package with gold accent striping replaced the former Redbird package.
- Trans Am buyers could again get a black-painted Special Edition package, either with or without a hatch roof.
- New Trans Am graphics colors included bronze-and-burgundy and a revised red-and-gold combination.
- New seating came in five colors.
- Dark blue was a new interior color.
- New optional electronic-tuned stereo radios came with a four-speaker system.
- Tungsten halogen headlamps remained available.
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 | |
V | Firebird Formula | |
W | Trans Am | |
3 & 4 | 87 | hardtop coupe |
5 | Engine code |
|
6 | A | Year: 1980 |
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 | $5604 | 3269 | 29,811 both 6 & V8 |
2F | S87 | 2-door Hardtop Base Firebird – V8 | 4 | $5784 | 3342 | |
2F | T87 | 2-door Hardtop Esprit – V6 | 4 | $5967 | 3304 | 17,277 |
2F | T87 | 2-door Hardtop Esprit – V8 | 4 | $6147 | 3377 | |
2F | V87 | 2-door Hardtop Formula | 4 | $6955 | 3410 | 9,358 |
2F | W87 | 2-door Hardtop Trans Am | 4 | $7179 | 3429 | 50,898 |
ENGINE
VIN Code | A (Buick) | S | W | E/C | T (turbocharged) | H (Calif.) |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Cylinders | 90° V-6 | 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 |
Block | 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 |
Bore & Stroke | 3.80 x 3.40 in. | 3.75 x 3.00 in. | 4.06 x 3.04 in. | 4.06 x 3.04 in. | 4.06 x 3.04 in. | 3.74 x 3.48 |
Displacement | 231 cid (3.8 liters) | 265 cid (4.3 liters) | 301 cid (5.0 liters) | 301 cid (5.0 liters) | 301 cid (5.0 liters) | 305 cid (5.0 liters) |
Compression ratio | 8.0 : 1 | 8.3 : 1 | 8.1 : 1 | 8.4 : 1 | 7.6 : 1 | 8.4 : 1 |
Brake H.P. | 110 @ 3800 rpm | 120 @ 3600 | 140 @ 4000 rpm | 155 @ 4400 rpm | 210 @ 4000 rpm | 150 @ 3800 rpm |
Torque (lb-ft) | 190 @ 1600 rpm | 210 @ 1600 rpm | 240 @ 1800 rpm | 240 @ 2200 rpm | 345 @ 2000 rpm | 230 @ 2400 rpm |
Main bearings | Four | Five | Five | Five | Five | Five |
Valve lifters | Hydraulic | |||||
Carburetor | 2-barrel Rochester M2ME | 2-barrel Rochester | 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 |
CHASSIS
FEATURE | Firebird | Esprit | Formula | Trans Am |
---|---|---|---|---|
Wheelbase | 108.2 in. | 108.2 in. | 108.2 in. | 108.2 in. |
Overall length | 196.8 in. | 196.8 in. | 196.8 in. | 196.8 in. |
Height | 49.3 in. | 49.3 | 49.5 | 49.5 |
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 | P205/75R15 | P205/75R15 | P225/70R15 SBR | P225/70R15 SBR |
Steering | Recirculating ball | |||
Front suspension | coil springs with lower trailing links and anti-sway bar | |||
Rear suspension | semi-elliptic leaf springs with anti-sway bar | |||
Brakes | Front disc, rear drums | Front disc, rear disc | ||
Ignition | Electronic | |||
Body construction | Unit with separate partial frame | |||
Fuel tank | 21 gal |
OPTIONS
HISTORICAL NOTES
1980 Firebird Notes
- Introduced on Oct. 11, 1979
- This was a bad time throughout the industry.
- Pontiac sold 107,344 Firebird models down from 187,182 in 1979 (57%)
- Camaro also dropped from 282,571 to 152,005 (54%)
- A white limited edition Turbo Trans Am was the Pace Car for the Indianapolis 500
- Robert Stempel moved from Pontiac’s general manager to became head of General Motors
- William E. Hoglund became Pontiac’s general manager
1980 Automotive Notes
- GM news:
- Ford news:
- Chrysler news:
- AMC news:
- Other makes news:
- Top American Automobile Corporations for 1980
1. General Motors 5,053,190
2. Ford 1,584,894
3. Chrysler 764,122
4. AMC 199,613
5. Others 511
- Top model year production for 1980
Chevrolet 2,288,745
Ford 1,162,275
Oldsmobile 910,306
Buick 854,011
Skyhawk 8,322
Skylark 265,654
Century 141,936
Regal 214,735
LeSabre 99,770
Electra 22568,480
Riviera 48,621
Pontiac 770,100
Mercury 347,711
Dodge 308,638
Plymouth 290,974
Cadillac 230,028
Seville 39,344
DeVille 104,678
Eldorado 52,685
Fleetwood Brougham 31,959
Fleetwood Limousine 2,362
AMC 199,613
Spirit 71,032
Concord 80,456
Pacer 1,746
AMX n/a
Eagle 46,379
Chrysler 164,510
Lincoln 74,908
Checker 250
Avanti II 168
Excalibur 93