1982 Pontiac Firebird

1982 Pontiac Firebird History

3rd Generation Firebirds introduced: ’82 Firebird, Firebird SE, and 1982 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am. The ’82 Firebird was the base model, equivelant to the Camaro Sport Coupe, the ’82 Firebird SE was a higher option level which could be loaded with more options than the Trans Am. The Trans Am was the highest performance level for the Firebird.

In addition to being 500lbs lighter, the new 1982 Pontiac Firebird was the most aerodynamic production Firebird to date. Wind tunnels were used to form the body shape. The aerodynamic developements extended to the finned aluminum wheels with smooth caps and a functional spoiler. Trans Am received a turbo bulge hood styled loosely off the earlier turbo Trans Am. Plans had originally been made to use the Pontiac 4.9 turbo, but it was scrapped at the last minute. The hood remained and was made fuctional for the Cross-fire injected 305. The 1982 Pontiac Firebird SE could be had with every option the Trans Am could have but didn't use the bulged hood. Leather seating was also availble on all models. Firebirds were available several engines. The standard fuel injected 90hp 2.5L 4 cylinder Pontiac Iron Duke, a 102hp 2.8L V6, and two 5.0L V8's. The first and most common was the LG4, a basic carburetor equiped 305 producing 145hp. The other was a new fuel injected 305 using a fuel injection system similar to the 82 Corvette's 5.7L and producing 165hp. The base model Firebird came standard with 14" steel wheels. 14" aluminum and 15" aluminum wheels were available on the SE and Trans Am. Pontiac had also hoped to drop all the "Trans Am" badges from the new cars to save royalties paid to the SCCA for use of the name. Early promotional cars were marked "T/A" as an alternative, however the production cars came marked as Trans Am regardless. The WS6 option available on the SE's and Trans Am's included 4 wheel disc brakes, P215/65R15 Goodyear Eagle GT radials with 15" cast aluminum wheels, stiffer springs, thicker front and rear sway bars, a high ratio 12.7:1 steering box, and limited slip rear differential.

Its dimensions were reduced, wheel base is shorter, and is a lighter car. It is also the closest in size to the 67 yet. Road & Track selects the 82 Firebird Trans Am as 1 of the 12 best cars in the world along with the Camaro. It won Best Sports GT category in the $11,000 to $14,000 range with the Camaro. 1st time a 4 cylinder was available in a Firebird. Windshield slope is 60 degrees, about 3 degrees steeper than anything GM ever tried before.

1982 Pontiac Firebird

1982 Firebird Production Numbers