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
| 265-cid two-barrel V-8 (Firebird) | $150 |
| 301-cid four-barrel V-8 (Firebird) | $325 |
| 301-cid four-barrel V-8 (Trans Am) | $180 credit |
| E/C 301-cid four-barrel V-8 (Formula) | $150 |
| Turbo 301-cid V-8 (Formula) | $530 |
| Turbo 301-cid V-8 (Trans Am) | $350 |
| 305-cid V-8 four-barrel (Firebird) | $295 |
| Turbo-Hydra-Matic transmission | $358 |
| Limited slip differential | $81 |
| Power brakes | $81 |
| Power four-wheel disc brakes (Formula/Trans Am) | $162 |
| Super-cooling radiator (Firebird) | $35-$64 |
| Heavy-duty battery | $19 – $23 |
| Heavy-duty alternator | $15 – $51 |
| Engine block heater | $16 |
| Esprit “Yellow Bird” appearance package | $505 – $550 |
| Trans Am Special Edition | $748 |
| Trans Am Special Edition with hatch roof | $1443 |
| Formula appearance package | $100 |
| Formula special performance package | $281 – $481 |
| Trans Am special performance package | $281 – $481 |
| Air conditioning | $531 – $647 |
| Cruise control | $105 – $116 |
| Hatch roof | $695 |
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
1980 FIREBIRD Photo Gallery
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Keyword: 1980 Pontiac Firebird