Pontiac Firebird (1981) – Ultimate Guide
Introduction
- This was the last year for the second generation Firebird
- In outward appearance, the 1981 looked similar to the 1980 models
BASE FIREBIRD
- Base Firebird standard equipment included
- 231-cid V-6
- Three speed manual transmission
- Floor shift lever
- Shift console
- Power brakes
- Power steering
- P205/75R15 SBR black sidewall tires
- Black-out grille with argent accents
- Hubcaps with Pontiac crests
- Rosewood woodgrain instrument panel appliqué
- Optional engine: 265-cid V-8
FIREBIRD ESPRIT
- The Esprit added
- automatic transmission
- full wheel covers
- wheel opening moldings
- wide rocker panel moldings
- body color sport mirrors
- remote-controlled left mirror
- Optional engine: 265-cid V-8
FIREBIRD FORMULA
- The Formula had the standard 265-cid (4.3-liter) V-8
- It could have the turbocharged 301-cid V-8.
- The Turbocharged engine was now available in California
- The four-speed manual transmission was available with the four-barrel 305-cid V-8
- Standard power brakes now included a low-drag front caliper
- It also had
- automatic transmission
- P225/70R15 tires
- simulated twin hood air scoops
- body-color mirrors
- a rear deck spoiler
- Rally II wheels with trim rings.
TRANS AM
- It had the 301-cid (4.9-liter) four-barrel V-8 with Electronic Spark Control
- Optional engine: turbocharged 301-cid V-8.
- The Turbocharged engine was now available in California
- The four-speed manual transmission was available with the four-barrel 305-cid V-8
- A new two-color bird decal for the hood and reflective bird decal for Trans Am’s gas filler door was available
- It also included
- automatic transmission
- P225/70R15 tires
- black-accent grille and headlamp bezels
- wheel-opening air deflectors
- side-split tailpipe extension
- engine-tuned dash trim plate
- Rally gauges with tachometer
- “shaker” hood
- Rally II wheels
I.D. NUMBERS
Pontiac introduced its new 17-symbol Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) | ||
---|---|---|
It was located on the upper left surface of the instrument panel, visible through the windshield | ||
Position | Character | Description |
1 | 1 | US built |
2 | G | General Motors product |
3 | 2 | Pontiac Motor Division vehicle |
4 | A | Manual seatbelts |
5 | S | Firebird |
T | Esprit | |
V | Formula | |
W | Trans Am | |
X | Trans Am Turbo Special Edition | |
6 & 7 | 87 | Body style number: two-door plainback special coupe |
8 | * | Engine type where * is replaced by the following
|
9 | ? | A check digit that calculates the characters in the serial number and gives it a single digit code and can be used to verify that the serial number is legitimate |
10 | B | The model year where B = 1981 |
11 | _ | Manufacturing plant code |
12-17 | 100001 and up | Production sequence serial number |
IDENTIFICATION
Model Number | Style Number | Body Type | Seating | Factory Price | Shipping Weight | Production Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2F | S87 | 2-door Hardtop Base Firebird – V6 | 4 | $6901 | 3275 | 20,541 both 6 & V8 |
2F | S87 | 2-door Hardtop Base Firebird – V8 | 4 | $6951 | 3350 | |
2F | T87 | 2-door Hardtop Esprit – V6 | 4 | $7646 | 3312 | 10,938 |
2F | T87 | 2-door Hardtop Esprit – V8 | 4 | $7695 | 3472 | |
2F | V87 | 2-door Hardtop Formula – V6 | 4 | $7854 | 3397 | 5,927 |
2F | V87 | 2-door Hardtop Formula – V8 | 4 | $7904 | 3472 | |
2F | W87 | 2-door Hardtop Trans Am | 4 | $8322 | 3419 | 33,493 |
2F | X87 | 2-door Hardtop Trans Am Turbo SE | 4 | $12,257 |
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. | 4.00 x 3.00 in. | 4.00 x 3.00 in. | 4.00 x 3.00 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 | 7.5 : 1 | 8.4 : 1 |
Brake H.P. | 110 @ 3800 rpm | 120 @ 4000 | 135 @ 3600 rpm | 150 @ 4000 rpm | 200 @ 4000 rpm | 145 @ 3800 rpm |
Torque (lb-ft) | 190 @ 1600 rpm | 205 @ 2000 rpm | 235 @ 1600 rpm | 245 @ 2000 rpm | 340 @ 2000 rpm | 240 @ 2400 rpm |
Main bearings | Four | Five | Five | Five | Five | Five |
Valve lifters | Hydraulic | |||||
Carburetor | 2-barrel Rochester M2ME | 2-barrel Rochester E2ME | 4-barrel Rochester E4ME | 4-barrel Rochester E4ME | 4-barrel Rochester E4ME | 4-barrel Rochester E4ME |
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 | 196.1 in. | 196.1 in. | 196.1 in. | 196.1 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
1981 Firebird Notes
- Introduced Sept. 25, 1980
- Firebird sales dropped sharply in anticipation of the third generation coming in 1982 where over 116,000 were sold.
- Total Firebird sales was 70,899 in 1981 in contrast with 1980 sales of 107,344
- At the close of the twelve year run of the second generation, a total of 1,153,705 second generation Firebirds were sold
- This was an average of 96,142 per year — not much different from the first generation model where it averaged 92,460 per year.
- Early in 1981 Pontiac stopped making V-8 engines, using V-8s from other GM divisions.
- William E. Hoglund was Pontiac’s new general manager
1981 Automotive Notes
- GM news:
- Ford news:
- Chrysler news:
- AMC news:
- Other makes news:
- Top American Automobile Corporations for 1981
1. General Motors 4,133,392
2. Ford 1,395,594
3. Chrysler 791,258
4. AMC 137,236
5. Others 3,385
- Top model year production for 1981
Chevrolet 1,673,093
Ford 950,301
Oldsmobile 873,678
Buick 856,996
Skylark 262,328
Century 144,267
Regal 240,200
LeSabre 82,877
Electra 75,317
Riviera 52,007
Pontiac 489,436
Plymouth 393,633
Mercury 375,756
Dodge 340,899
Cadillac 240,189
Seville 28,631
DeVille 109,245
Eldorado 60,643
Fleetwood Brougham 39,800
Fleetwood Limousine 1,870
AMC 137,235
Spirit 44,619
Concord 55,187
Eagle 5022,943
Eagle 3014,486
Lincoln 69,537
Chrysler 56,726
Checker 2,950
Excalibur 235
Avanti II 200
Alfa-Romeo 197,287
U.S. Alfa-Romeo sales 2,294
American Turbo Coupe 40