1973 FIREBIRD

Introduction

Four models of the Firebird were available:

BASE FIREBIRD

  • A new "egg-crate" grille insert
  • Improved Endura nose to meet U.S. government crash standards
  • Redesigned hubcaps and wheel covers
  • Front and rear bucket seats with all-vinyl trim, solid foam seat cushions with integral springs
  • Loop-pile carpet
  • Deluxe steering wheel
  • Upper-level ventilation
  • Woodgrain dash accents
  • Ashtray light
  • Endura front bumper
  • Small full-width front air dam
  • Radio antenna embedded in windshield
  • Bright moldings on windshield, rear window, and grille
  • Thin body sill moldings
  • Front disc brakes
  • Three-speed manual column shift transmission
  • E78-14 black sidewall tires

FIREBIRD ESPRIT

  • Identified by model signature scripts on roof pillars
  • Custom interior
  • Concealed windshield wipers
  • African crossfire mahogany dash and console accent panels
  • Front and rear bucket seats with all-vinyl trim, solid foam seat cushions with integral springs
  • Loop-pile carpet
  • Deluxe steering wheel
  • Upper-level ventilation
  • Woodgrain dash accents
  • Ashtray light
  • Endura front bumper
  • Small full-width front air dam
  • Radio antenna embedded in windshield
  • Bright moldings on windshield, rear window, and grille
  • Thin body sill moldings
  • Front disc brakes
  • Three-speed manual floor shift transmission
  • E78-14 black sidewall tires
  • Custom cloth and Morrokide trim
  • Distinctive door trim panels
  • Perforated headliner
  • Added sound insulation
  • Custom cushion steering wheel
  • Rear armrest ashtrays
  • Trunk mat
  • Dash assist grip
  • Wheel trim rings
  • Body-color mirrors (both sides)
  • Remote control left mirror
  • Body-color door handle inserts
  • Bright roof rail trim
  • Window sill moldings
  • Rear hood edge accents
  • Wheel opening moldings
  • Wide rocker panel accent strips

FIREBIRD FORMULA

  • Model signature script moldings on the roof pillar
  • Fiberglass hood with forward-mounted twin air scoops
  • 1.125" front stabilizer bars
  • Firm control shock absorbers
  • Heavy duty suspension
  • Dual exhausts with chrome extensions
  • Black-textured grille
  • Dual exhausts
  • Front and rear bucket seats with all-vinyl trim, solid foam seat cushions with integral springs
  • Loop-pile carpet
  • Deluxe steering wheel
  • Upper-level ventilation
  • Woodgrain dash accents
  • Ashtray light
  • Endura front bumper
  • Small full-width front air dam
  • Radio antenna embedded in windshield
  • Bright moldings on windshield, rear window, and grille
  • Thin body sill moldings
  • Front disc brakes
  • Three-speed manual floor shift transmission
  • F70-14 tires
  • Custom cloth and Morrokide trim
  • Distinctive door trim panels
  • Perforated headliner
  • Added sound insulation
  • Custom cushion steering wheel
  • Rear armrest ashtrays
  • Trunk mat
  • Dash assist grip
  • Wheel trim rings
  • Body-color mirrors (both sides)
  • Remote control left mirror
  • Body-color door handle inserts
  • Concealed wipers
  • Bright roof rail trim
  • Window sill moldings
  • Rear hood edge accents
  • Wheel opening moldings
  • Wide rocker panel accent strips

FIREBIRD TRANS AM

  • Large wing decal on hood firebird logo
  • A new honeycomb mesh grill insert
  • New interior trim
  • Redesigned hubcaps and wheel covers
  • Front and rear bucket seats with all-vinyl trim, solid foam seat cushions with integral springs
  • Loop-pile carpet
  • Deluxe steering wheel
  • Upper-level ventilation
  • Woodgrain dash accents
  • Ashtray light
  • Endura front bumper
  • Small full-width front air dam
  • Radio antenna embedded in windshield
  • Bright moldings on windshield, rear window, and grille
  • Thin body sill moldings
  • Front disc brakes
  • Formula steering wheel
  • Engine-turned dash trim
  • Rally gauge cluster with clock and tachometer
  • Front air dam
  • Front and rear wheel opening flares
  • Full width rear deck spoiler
  • Engine air extractors
  • Shaker hood
  • 15" Rally II rims with trim rings
  • Black-textured grille inserts
  • Fast-rate power steering
  • Power brakes with front discs
  • 1.25" front stabilizer bars
  • 0.875" rear stabilizer bars
  • Special high-rate rear springs
  • Safe-T-Track differential
  • Air cleaner with rear-facing cold air induction system
  • Power-flex cooling fan
  • Four-speed close-ratio manual transmission with floor shift
  • Optional Turbo-Hydra-Matic
  • F60-15 white lettered tires

I.D. NUMBERS

  VIN Location On top of dash at left, viewable through windshield
Position Character Description
1 2 General Motors: Pontiac Division
2 S Basic Firebird
T Firebird Esprit
U Firebird Formula
V Trans Am
3 & 4 87 hardtop coupe
5 _ Engine code (see listing in engine section)
6 3 Year: 1973
7 _ Assembly plant
8 to 13 100001 and up production sequence

IDENTIFICATION

Model Number Style Number Body Type Seating Factory Price Shipping Weight Production Total
2FS S87 2-door Hardtop Base Firebird - 6 cyl 4 $2895 3159 14,096
both 6 & V8
2FS S87 2-door Hardtop Base Firebird - V8 4 $3013 3380
2FT T87 2-door Hardtop Esprit 4 $3249 3309 17,249
2FU U87 2-door Hardtop Formula 4 $3276 3318 10,166
2FV V87 2-door Hardtop Trans Am 4 $4204 3504 4,802

ENGINE

Model Code Type Displacement Carb Compression Net HP
Base Firebird D 6-cyl 250 cid 1-V 8.25:1 100 @ 3600 rpm
Base Firebird M V-8 350 cid 2-V 7.6:1 150 @ 4000 rpm
Espirt (std) M V-8 350 cid 2-V 7.6:1 150 @ 4000 rpm
Espirt (opt) R V-8 400 cid 2-V 8.0:1 170 @ 3600 rpm
Formula (std) M V-8 350 cid 2-V 7.6:1 150 @ 4000 rpm
Formula (opt) R V-8 400 cid 2-V 8.0:1 170 @ 3600 rpm
Formula (opt) Y V-8 455 cid 4-V 8.0:1 250 @ 4000 rpm
Formula (opt) X V-8 455 cid 4-V 8.4:1 310 @ 4000 rpm
Trans Am X V-8 455 cid 4-V 8.4:1 310 @ 4000 rpm

TRANSMISSION

N/A

CHASSIS

Wheelbase 108 in.
Overall length 192.1 in.
Front tread 60 in.
Rear tread 60 in.

OPTIONS

AM/FM stereo $233
AM/FM stereo with tape deck $363
Power windows $75

PERFORMANCE

MODEL 0-to-60 MPH QUARTER MILE
SD-455 Trans Am 7.3 seconds 15 seconds

HISTORICAL NOTES

1971 FIREBIRD PHOTOS

1973 Firebird Formula

1973 Firebird Formula

1973 Firebird Formula

1973 Firebird Formula

1973 Firebird Formula

1973 Firebird Formula

1973 Trans Am

1973 Firebird Trans Am

1973 Trans Am

1973 Firebird Trans Am

1973 Trans Am

1973 Firebird Trans Am

1973 Trans Am

1973 Firebird Trans Am

1973 Trans Am

1973 Firebird Trans Am

1973 Trans Am

1973 Firebird Trans Am

1973 Trans Am

1973 Firebird Trans Am

1973 Trans Am

1973 Firebird Trans Am

1973 Trans Am

1973 Firebird Trans Am

1973 Trans Am

1973 Firebird Trans Am

LITERATURE & LINKS