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 |
|
| 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
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Keyword: 1977 Pontiac Firebird