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

  • A = 231-cid V6, 110-hp
  • S = 265-cid V8, 120-hp
  • W = 301-cid V8, 135-hp
  • T = 301-cid V8, 200-hp
  • H = 305-cid V8, 145-hp
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

265-cid two-barrel V-8 (Firebird) $50
E/C 301-cid four-barrel V-8 (Firebird) $215
Turbo 301-cid V-8 (Formula) $652
Turbo 301-cid V-8 (Trans Am) $437
305-cid four-barrel V-8 (Firebird/Formula) $75
305-cid four-barrel V-8 (Trans Am) $140 credit
Turbo-Hydramatic transmission $349
Limited slip differential $67
Power four-wheel disc brakes $158
Super cooling radiator $34 – $63
Heavy-duty alternator $51
Engine block heater $16
Heavy-duty battery $22
Trans Am Special Edition $735
Trans Am Special Edition with hatch roof $1430
Formula appearance package $200
Formula special performance package $350 – 546
Trans Am special performance package $350 – 546
Firebird custom trim $45 – 164
Air conditiong $560 – $625
Cruise control $132 – $135
Power seat $173
Power windows $140 – $211
Hatch roof $663 – $695

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

1981 FIREBIRD Photo Gallery