I found this firehawk on firebird gallery.com and thought I would share it w/ you guys. I and sure alot of you have already seen it but enjoy.

This 1 of 1 Arctic White Firehawk #25 is owned by Michael Wempe. This Firehawk is a truly unique Firebird. It is the only '92 model painted Artic White, the only one with T-Tops, the only one with a full roll cage and only one of two to receive SLP's Super Duty 366c.i. all aluminum racing block. This rare and unusual mill is rated at 375 horsepower and a stump pulling 400lb/ft of torque. Figures reminiscent of the late 60s early 70s blocks. Installed in a car weighing 3200lbs to say this makes for an exciting ride is an understatement!! So what tranny is mated to such a beast. In keeping with the all out performance design of the rest of the car a 6-speed ZF transmission with a carbon fiber clutch were installed to provide lethal shifting. Out back a Dana 44 rear end ensures ALL the power gets to the ground. To handle all the torque a beefed up Level III suspension was also installed by SLP along with a set of front springs from a 301 Turbo TA to accommodate the lighter aluminum block. Other interesting perks about this Firehawk include a hood that is aluminum and a relocated battery. Ronal 17x9.5" aluminum wheels equipped with the trademark Firehawk SZ P275/40ZR17 tires provide monster meat hooks for plenty of grab. With all this power what about the brakes you say? How about a set of Power Brembo F-40 disc brakes!! These are good for 60mph to 0 in an incredible 110'.
On the inside dual Recaro seats provide comfortable seating for any driving. Each one comes with a 5-point harness to make sure you stay in the seat. The back seat has been deleted to reduce weight. Not all the creature comforts have been abandoned though. You'll find an AM/FM stereo with a built in CD player, air conditioning, power steering and dual airbags. With this kind of equipment the car is not only a rare bird but one that could hold its own on any track.

This is not the only Firebird Michael owns. In fact he has quite a nice collection of them. An ultra-rare '68 Ram Air II convertible, a '68 Ram Air I coupe, and a '68 non-original Ram Air I coupe. (see the '68 Firebirds Lot#2).

Check it out!! @ http://www.firebirdgallery.com/hawklot1.htm

 

:hail: :hail: :hail: :hail: :hail:

 

I don't know, I'd rather have the one with the 383

 

I looked at a green Firehawk, I think it was #26... The odd thing was it had the alum hood, the 383, BUT it did not have the T-RAM. It was a True Firehawk tho because I looked at it at SLP.

John

 

Firehawks are cool!

 

Ok something isn't adding up for me. When did 3rd gens ever come with dual airbags. Also I never heard of a ttop car with a factory roll cage. Why would SLP use springs from a 2nd gen? I am not calling BS but I think the guy needs to re check some stuff.

 

Both the T-top car and the Convertable Firehawk got the Roll cage. Yes it was an option for the Firehawk...

The springs & such I have nooo Idea...

John

 

Remember, there was a 3rd gen TTA (89?) it had a v-6 with a Turbo, and as such smaller springs in it.

 

it makes sence tho, if you put the V8 spings in a V6 car then I would suspect the front end would be a little high...

John

 

I have seen that firehawk in person a at the big Pontiac show that we have every year. The owner lives in St. Joseph, MO and the car is in perfect condition all around. There was a good article about that Firehwawk in High Performance Pontiac a few years back.

 

 

I'm 99% sure it's still with the original owner. The one you saw was most likely a clone or tribute.

 

Interesting to re-read the number on the Firehawk's performance and think, most new performance SUVs can now match. Time marched on.

 

If you see it again, get the VIN I can look it up and see if it is real.

 

And yet a base model 91-92 Firebird without GFX and a 3.1L is still in a whole other world than a kitchen appliance bland, Soccer Mom-tastic, Deluxe Grocery Getter SUV.

 

Which performance SUV gets into the low 13's?

John

 

Lots of them.

1. Jeep Grand Cherokee Blackhawk -- 12.0
2. Porsche Cayenne Turbo S -- 12.2
3. BMW X5 M -- 12.2
4. Range Rover Sport Autobiography (what a dumb name for a car!!) -- 13.1
5. MB GLE63 S -- 12.2

I'm sure there's more, this was just from a quick google search.

 

Do most of those crap-wagons cost more or less than a Firehawk in adjusted US dollars? Just curious, because all those cupholders, DVD players, Siri, and the French tickler heated Corinthian Ostrich leather upholstery generally doesn't come cheap.

 

Even if I had the money, I don't think I could buy one of those.

 

My wife drives a Cayenne. While it's really quick, it also shines on the interior. The seats feel like an angel has you cradled. Seats are possibly the best I've ever sat upon. They are awesome. It's a daily mode of transportation, and as such, probably no better way to fly on a daily basis. Really a nice SUV.

 

A bunch do, as mentioned. Hard pressed to by anything sporty these days which doesn't run low 13s (or better).

I remember when 12s used to be rocket quick for a street car. Now, Corvettes run 10 seconds in their best trim.

 

I drove an X5 M that was someone elses, I have to say, I wouldn't mind driving one as a beater if I had the money to burn

 

I saw a third gen, white with Firehawk logo on the driver's door, pulling away from the Pavillions shopping area car show, Scottsdale. No chance to check it out, sadly. Maybe the same car?

 

#003 also had a full roll cage. 3 cars got the 366ci I believe.

Far as the TPiS minram on #026, that was done by SLP for the Dr. in Hawaii who bought it new when they took it from a 366ci to the 383ci. When we got it, it also ran like trash. My friend Mike had to replace the injectors and have it totally retuned from scratch. Same thing we did to my #003, by the same shop at the same time. We took #026 out onto an unopened new stratch of freeway in Rialto CA one night and pegged the speedo like it was nothing! We were playing around with his Corba R at the time too. We estimate #026 hit 160mph. That car had a ton of miles on it though, #003 only had 1,250 or so and I never put more than 10 on it. The original tires still looked like new with the little rubber nubs on the outside so I was more concerned with preservation at the time.

 

Always cool to hear owners stories, thanks. Hope all is well your way ;-)

 

Thanks! Still fixing the house from Irma but I've been stuck here in CA for work the past year or so.

 

If you're stuck in CA and get bored, you're more than welcome to come over the hill and help wrench on my cars.

 

I drove to Irvine and back Thursday and it was the worst traffic I'd ever seen. Took 1:45 to get from Santa Clarita to Castaic!

Maybe when I recover from that haha. I might do the 119>33>101 in my 69 Firebird tho, that's a nice drive actually.