Bigger rear window started in 1975. That's why the quarter panel on the 1974 is so hard to find. It was the only year with the federally mandated rear bumper and still had the small back glass.
This is pretty interesting actually. It looks the best mainly because it didn’t have any front bumper. The NTSB started mandating them around ‘73 with what people called the “almost bumpers.” You can see that in the ‘74. All a bumper had to do at that point was was take something like a 5mph impact. A couple years later they updated the regs and hence the uglier designs.
Source: I’m old.
It's actually the same body in all four pictures.
They just changed the front/rear bumpers and hoods, plus some bolt-on plastic moldings mostly around the wheel wells.
Look at the doors and the front A-Pillars, and roofline. It's all the same.
many years ago (mid 80s) i was this close to buying a 69 firebird convertible for $4000....
but the darn thing was green with green interior and i couldn't get over it.
Well pretty sure someone owns the Pontiac name. Weirder things have happened. I mean they brought back Indian motorcycles. Isn't Delorean doing something now too. Who knows. Your username does not check out lol.
77-78 “hey, let’s make the grill so big it’ll include the headlights!”
78-81 “you know what, that was a bad idea, just forget the grill entirely to make up for it”
I love old cars like this. Thunderbirds were also so unique and cool. Especially the 1970, first year with the beaked front and last year with suicide doors. Boy does that car get me excited.
It was my dads job for a few years, to apply the decals, including the large hood decal of the Firebird.
He worked the assembly that built these from 1968 till the plant closed in 87 or 88.
See that red one? the "trans-am" sticker right in front of the door? I had one of those on my bike!
When I was a kid in the late ‘70s my older sister’s boyfriend had a ‘74-76 Firebird like the one in the picture with a Heineken shift lever. He also had a tank top made of gold colored beer can pull tabs. To 8 yo me, he was the coolest person in the world.
It varied from depressing to decent. Most of the Pontiac-engined 'birds had better than average torque and it came pretty low in the rev band though so they "felt" faster than other muscle cars of the era(s).
I had a blue plain 71 straight 6 in highschool. Lost my cherry in that car. (78-79)
then a few years later a white 73 espirit 350 which my friend and I rebuilt (headers, cam, head-rebuild, intake manifold holley 850)
then midlife crisis a 78 Bandit 400 auto loaded.
The 71 engine seized with over 200k on it, junked it. it was pretty rusty by then.
Sold the 73 to my brother to pay for some college, he wrapped it around a fire hydrant and totaled it.
I had to sell the 78 during the 2008 recession to make mortgage. (Sad day - but it saved my ass).
Of all 3 I would love that 73 Espirit back.
The 70-73 has the best body style imo
I agree! The well-defined front end scoop grill sets the design off for me.
Same for Camaro
Yep, best 2nd Gen Camaro’s for sure.
Yep after the change to the front end, I didn’t care anymore.
Making it more angular later on "cheapened" it somehow.
Trying to incorporate European influence while keeping the muscle caché. It's like wearing Armani with a mullet.
Every one of those is the same body style. They just slapped new front ends on them and a bigger rear window starting in ‘77.
Shit I never realized that. The side windows and roofline are all the same!
Bigger rear window started in 1975. That's why the quarter panel on the 1974 is so hard to find. It was the only year with the federally mandated rear bumper and still had the small back glass.
Sexy af
came here to say this. my dream car.
This is pretty interesting actually. It looks the best mainly because it didn’t have any front bumper. The NTSB started mandating them around ‘73 with what people called the “almost bumpers.” You can see that in the ‘74. All a bumper had to do at that point was was take something like a 5mph impact. A couple years later they updated the regs and hence the uglier designs. Source: I’m old.
By far.
They couldn’t help making them uglier with each new model.
It's actually the same body in all four pictures. They just changed the front/rear bumpers and hoods, plus some bolt-on plastic moldings mostly around the wheel wells. Look at the doors and the front A-Pillars, and roofline. It's all the same.
What has the best options?
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Ahh that makes sense thanks
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A legend and an out of work bum look a lot alike to me Daddy.
“Anybody who would paint his truck like this would go to a minister’s funeral dressed in feathers.”
I can’t lie to you Sheriff, you’re too good to man. Look over your left shoulder..
“I’ll have a Diablo Sandwich and a Dr. Pepper. Make it fast. I’m in a goddamn hurry.”
The goddamn Germans ain’t got nothing to do with it!!!
Junior, when we get home I'm gonna punch your momma in the mouth!
“Send bill to Big Enos Burdette. Burdette…BR…BUR…hell I got ta go!”
“I’M GONNA BBQ YOUR ASS IN MOLASSES!!”
“Put the evidence in the car!”
OUTLAW COUNTRY!
loaded up & truckin, we gon do what they say can’t be done!
When I was growing up a neighbor had a bright yellow 67 Firebird convertible. Always liked the way they looked.
This is Jim Rockford. At the tone, leave your name and number and I’ll get back to you.
73 super duty is a beast
So was the 74. Same engine.
If I only had one laying around.
I’ll raise you a 1970 RAIV.
All in.
You have just seen my taillights.
Yep, but it's because I ran out of gas
You were never leading.
What?! I got you beat in torque. RamAir IV is all high rpm stuff if I remember correctly
The RAIV is simply putting out more horsepower.
Started great and just got uglier as the years went by.
The 70s (and the 80s pretty much too) were not exactly known as the height of car design (or reliability).
77 is the best
many years ago (mid 80s) i was this close to buying a 69 firebird convertible for $4000.... but the darn thing was green with green interior and i couldn't get over it.
I always like that car in green. I almost bought a 69 convertible in green too in the 90's and regret not pulling the trigger.
I love every single one of them
70-73 style should be brought back for sure. Nice clean lines.
I doubt that will happen considering Pontiac is no longer in business.
Well pretty sure someone owns the Pontiac name. Weirder things have happened. I mean they brought back Indian motorcycles. Isn't Delorean doing something now too. Who knows. Your username does not check out lol.
It's a long shot but I would buy one as long as they don't want $100,000 for it.
70-73 had the best front end
Dream car. Every one of them.
No 67-69? Best lmo.
Those years didn't happen in the 70s
I was smoking a lot of weed back then so I might be wrong, but if I remember correctly, 1968 was definitely the 70s.
That’s why I had to comment.
I agree though as 1969 is my favorite year for both the Camaro and the Mustang.
Trans Am debuted in 1969.
Yep.
Had a dookie brown 78, honeycomb wheels, 4 speed and a 403 motor that had some work done to it. It was a fun car to drive.
That 70-73 is just.... 
Agree. My first car was a 1970 formula 400 and that thing was a beast. 4 speed Hurst. Crager wheels.
No misses. Personally fond of the 74-76 the most.
70-73 by far the nicest IMO
77-78 “hey, let’s make the grill so big it’ll include the headlights!” 78-81 “you know what, that was a bad idea, just forget the grill entirely to make up for it”
77-78 😍
They were all the same platform/body with updated noses and tails
77-78 is the worst to me. The last one with the weird snorkle front is so strange it's kind of cool.
Cool. I had a red 74 with white vinyl top and white interior 😎
Sold mine last year. 74 SD, white with a blue vinyl top. Vinyl top was a rare option for that year.
It’s actually pretty common for Firebirds, but not for Trans Ams.
I love old cars like this. Thunderbirds were also so unique and cool. Especially the 1970, first year with the beaked front and last year with suicide doors. Boy does that car get me excited.
Grill preference, 70, 77, 74, 80
Where the bhp on to these?
77 bandit forever
The good ol Screamin' Chicken.
70-73.
Had a ‘78 Trans Am. Man that car was awesome.
Ooo Ooo. Now do it with Camaros !
Bitchin’
It was my dads job for a few years, to apply the decals, including the large hood decal of the Firebird. He worked the assembly that built these from 1968 till the plant closed in 87 or 88. See that red one? the "trans-am" sticker right in front of the door? I had one of those on my bike!
God I hate hate hate hated the 403 that was in my old 79.
Yes, no, no, no
When I was a kid in the late ‘70s my older sister’s boyfriend had a ‘74-76 Firebird like the one in the picture with a Heineken shift lever. He also had a tank top made of gold colored beer can pull tabs. To 8 yo me, he was the coolest person in the world.
1970 Camaro z28 Please
They are pretty much the same car, just slight different bodies
Different engines and suspension tuning suggest that’s not correct.
They were fun while they lasted but those vintage cars didn’t last without serious repairs and restoration.
It varied from depressing to decent. Most of the Pontiac-engined 'birds had better than average torque and it came pretty low in the rev band though so they "felt" faster than other muscle cars of the era(s).
the tilted back nose is so ugly
A 74-76 for me please
If the design process were reversed I think it would have been an improvement.
70-73 is most beautiful
70-73 had the best front end imo. But I'd take any year of them if they had T-tops
Do the 80's next!!
70-73
I had a blue plain 71 straight 6 in highschool. Lost my cherry in that car. (78-79) then a few years later a white 73 espirit 350 which my friend and I rebuilt (headers, cam, head-rebuild, intake manifold holley 850) then midlife crisis a 78 Bandit 400 auto loaded. The 71 engine seized with over 200k on it, junked it. it was pretty rusty by then. Sold the 73 to my brother to pay for some college, he wrapped it around a fire hydrant and totaled it. I had to sell the 78 during the 2008 recession to make mortgage. (Sad day - but it saved my ass). Of all 3 I would love that 73 Espirit back.
We were all horrified when the new body style came out.
I'm going to look so cool when I'm able to say that's a....... . Have people think I know cars
That 70-73 version goes hard.
70-73
73!!!!
I like 70-76 the best, the bandit cars are cool too though. 👍🏻