Pontiac Firebird - "fiery bird" of the company "General Motors"

Pontiac Firebird - one of the few cars that entered the history of the American concern "General Motors" as a long-liver. The US automotive industry began to develop dynamically in the 60s of the last century, and the market was mainly supplied with long and squat Cadillacs and limousines. Such was the automotive fashion of that time: a prestigious car was considered an eight-seater cabriolet, in which it was possible to put 15-20 people and with a breeze ride along the central street. However, the models quickly replaced one another, the car-three-year was considered obsolete, it was replaced by the next model. "General Motors" also tried to keep up, new models regularly descended from the assembly line in Detroit.

At the request of time

At that time, three companies - General Motors, Ford and Chrysler - ran the US automotive market. The competition was serious, but GM already had "Buick", "Chevrolet" and "Cadillac", traditionally large cars. "Ford" occupied a niche of medium-sized cars, "Chrysler" was limited in production areas. "General Motors" could easily get around competitors, but antitrust laws hampered. Then the design bureau turned their attention to the production of high-class cars, which could be kept in the first lines of the popularity rating for years. Such a car was Pontiac Firebird, the photo of which you see on the page, a handsome man with a powerful five-liter motor. Technical parameters of the new model were impressive, smooth running combined with high dynamics, the car easily developed 250 km / h.

Pontiac Firebird appeared in 1967 and its release lasted for 35 years, so no serial model has been produced for so long. Simultaneously with the conveyor Chevrolet Camaro, and a little later - Mercury Cougar. All three models were equipped with V-shaped "eights", engines very powerful, which were produced at the factories of "General Motors." For three years, from 1967 to 1970, Pontiac Firebird was produced in two versions: a two-door coupe and a convertible. The design of the car was bold enough, it was even compared with a bottle of Coca-Cola, many of its profile with blown rear wings caused this association. Nevertheless, Pontiac Firebird 1967 declared itself as a stylish and powerful American car. New in those years was the integration of bumpers into the body, when they became a continuation of the wings.

New model

Thus, the basic model of Pontiac Firebird was created, the characteristics Which from the very beginning brought it to a sufficiently high technical level. The engine was installed on the car in-line six-cylinder I-6, with the modern gas distribution system Overhead camshaft (OHC). The injection of the combustible mixture was carried out with the help of a single-chamber carburetor, which did not fully meet the tasks. The next model Pontiac Firebird in the modification of "Sprint" was already equipped with a four-chamber carburetor. The engine at the same time developed power 215 liters. With., But this was not enough. After a while the car received a new engine, a V-shaped "eight" in volume of 5.3 liters, capacity of 250 liters. S., And then the motor "HO" (High Output) at once in two variants - capacity of 285 and 325 hp.

Evolution of the car

In 1968, Pontiac Firebird already installed a motor "HO 400", combined with the "Ram Air" system, which, in turn, required the installation of functional air intakes on the hood. Thanks to this system, it was possible to significantly increase the power of a very modest inexpensive engine, and this reduced the prime cost of the car itself. In the final result, sales of the car increased significantly. In the following year, in 1969, another modification appeared on the market - the Pontiac Firebird Trans Am. The car had improved running characteristics, although the engine was not very powerful. Subsequently, the company "General Motors" began to practice the installation of motors of a relatively small volume, in 3.8 liters, with a capacity of 175 liters. With., Which fully justified themselves. And yet the engine is 4.1 liters, with a capacity of 215 liters. from. It turned out to be preferable, on it eventually stopped.

The second generation

Second generation Pontiac Firebird 1970 The year was marked by new external parameters. First of all, designers abandoned the bottle-shaped body. The car became squat, the rear window filled all the space between the roof and the trunk lid, the front end changed the configuration, the hood dropped to the front bumper at a 45-degree angle, which created a special style of the entire exterior. Four large rectangular headlights were deeply planted in the hull. Pontiac Firebird of the second generation was equipped with engines Ram Air and Ram Air III, 345 and 367 l. With., Which proved themselves from the best side back in 1969.

The third generation

Pontiac Firebird of the third generation was produced for ten years, from 1982 to 1992, and in the first year the exterior of the car underwent cardinal changes - the body became streamlined, acquired aerodynamic contours and swiftness in outlines. At the same time, the CCC system, the computer control of the engine, was introduced. The system solved three general tasks: increasing the engine power, economy and reducing the level of emissions of harmful substances. Pontiac Firebird third generation cars were the most popular in the US automotive market in the eighties. The model was used in movies, where Firebird became a full-fledged performer of one of the roles in the movie "Knight of the Roads".

End of production

The last, fourth generation Pontiac Firebird was produced from 1993 to 2002, continuing to improve the aerodynamic performance of previous modifications. The body became more and more streamlined, the impression of speed increased. However, buyers did not show interest in a streamlined car, for many futuristic Firebird seemed unnecessary luxury. Demand for the car fell, it was the beginning of the sunset Pontiac Firebird, and in 2002 the car was withdrawn from production.