1977 FIREBIRD

CHASSIS
ENGINE
HISTORY
ID
LITERATURE
OPTIONS
PHOTOS

Four models were offered: base, Esprit, Formula, and Trans Am
New front-end styling for the Firebird coupe featured quad rectangular headlamps and an aggressive grille.
Four models were offered: base, Esprit, Formula, and Trans Am
Formula's new hood had simulated air scoops and at its rear end was a spoiler
The wheelbase was 108 in.
The inline six-cylinder base engine was replaced with a 231-cid (3.8-liter) V6
A 301-cid and 305-cid engine were introduced
The 403-cid (6.6-liter) V-8 was the largest engine
Firebird's new grille was deeply recessed, directly in line with the quad rectangular headlamps
Its simple pattern consisted of a series of round-like (hexagonal) holes, resembling fencing more than a customary grille.
A "Pontiac" nameplate went on the driver's side of the grille
Crossbar trimmed amber park/signal lamps were also recessed, but into the outer ends of twin air intake slots below the bumper strip.
The center front panel protruded forward to a slight point and contained the usual Pontiac emblem, but its sides were more sharply angled than the 1976 version
Esprit could have a new blue "SkyBird" appearance package with blue velour seating, two-tone blue body and blue cast aluminum wheels.
Firebird Formula came with a new 301-cid (5.0-liter) two-barrel V-8.
Its body displayed blacked-out trim, dual hood scoops, and large "Formula" graphics on the lower door.
The Trans Am had a new shaker hood and came with a standard 400-cid or 403-cid V-8.
Also available was an optional "T/A 6.6" power plant.

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
	W	Trans Am
3 & 4	87	hardtop coupe
5	Engine code	C = 231-cid two-barrel V-6 Y = 301-cid two-barrel V-8 U = 305-cid four-barrel V-8 P = 350-cid four-barrel V-8 (L76) R = 350-cid four-barrel V-8 L = 350-cid four-barrel V-8 (LM1) Z = 400-cid four-barrel V-8 K = 403-cid four-barrel V-8
6	7	Year: 1977
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
2F	S87	2-door Hardtop Base Firebird - V6	4	$4269	3264	30,642 both 6 & V8
2F	S87	2-door Hardtop Base Firebird - V8	4	$4334	3349	30,642 both 6 & V8
2F	T87	2-door Hardtop Esprit - V6	4	$4550	3312	34,548
2F	T87	2-door Hardtop Esprit - V8	4	$4615	3397	34,548
2F	U87	2-door Hardtop Formula	4	$4976	3411	21,801
2F	W87	2-door Hardtop Trans Am	4	$5456	3526	68,745

ENGINE

VIN Code	C	Y	U	P (L76)	R (Olds)	L (LM1) (Chev)	Z	K
Cylinders	90° V-6	90° V-8	90° V-8	90° V-8	90° V-8	90° V-8	90° V-8	90° V-8
Valving	Overhead valve	Overhead valve	Overhead valve	Overhead valve	Overhead valve	Overhead valve	Overhead valve	Overhead valve
Block	Cast-iron	Cast-iron	Cast-iron	Cast-iron	Cast-iron	Cast-iron	Cast-iron	Cast-iron
Head	Cast-iron	Cast-iron	Cast-iron	Cast-iron	Cast-iron	Cast-iron	Cast-iron	Cast-iron
Bore & Stroke	3.80 x 3.40 in.	4.00 x 3.00 in.	3.74 x 3.48 in.	3.88 x 3.75 in.	4.06 x 3.38	4.00 x 3.48	4.12 x 3.75	4.35 x 3.38
Displacement	231 cid (3.8 liters)	301 cid (5.0 liters)	305 cid (5.0 liters)	350 cid (5.7 liters)	350 cid (5.7 liters)	350 cid (5.7 liters)	400 cid (6.6 liters)	403 cid (6.6 liters)
Compression ratio	8.0 : 1	8.2 : 1	8.5 : 1	7.6 : 1	8.0 : 1	8.5 : 1	7.6 : 1	8.0 : 1
Brake H.P.	105 @ 3200 rpm	135 @ 3800	145 @ 3800 rpm	170 @ 4000 rpm	170 @ 3800 rpm	170 @ 3800 rpm	180 @ 3600 rpm	185 @ 3600 rpm
Torque (lb-ft)	185 @ 2000 rpm	235-245 @ 2000 rpm	245 @ 2400 rpm	280 @ 1800 rpm	275 @ 2000 rpm	270 @ 2400 rpm	325 @ 1600 rpm	320 @ 2200 rpm
Main bearings	Four	Five	Five	Five	Five	Five	Five	Five
Valve lifters	Hydraulic
Carburetor	2-barrel Rochester 2GC	2-barrel Rochester	2-barrel Rochester 2GC	4-barrel Rochester M4MC	4-barrel Rochester M4MC	4-barrel Rochester M4MC	4-barrel Rochester M4MC	4-barrel Rochester M4MC

TRANSMISSION

Three-speed manual floor shift
Four-speed manual shift
Three-speed automatic
V-6 Engine gear ratio	3.08 : 1
V-8 301 Engine gear ratio	3.23 : 1
V-8 323 Engine gear ratio	2.41 : 1
Trans Am gear ratio	3.23 : 1 or 3.42 : 1

CHASSIS

Feature	Firebird	Esprit	Formula	Trans Am
Wheelbase	108.1 in.	108.1 in.	108.1 in.	108.1 in.
Overall length	196.8 in.	196.8 in.	196.8 in.	196.8 in.
Height	49.1 in.	49.4	49.4	49.6
Width	73.0	73.0	73.0	73.0
Front tread	60.9	60.9	61.3	61.2
Rear tread	60.0	60.0	60.4	60.3
Tires	FR78x15	FR78x15	FR78x15	GR70x15
Steering	Recirculating ball
Front suspension	coil springs with lower trailing links and anti-sway bar
Rear suspension	semi-elliptic leaaf springs with anti-sway bar
Brakes	Front disc, rear drums
Ignition	Electronic
Body construction	Unit with separate partial frame
Fuel tank	20.2 gal

OPTIONS

301-cid V-8	$65
350-cid four-barrel V-8 (Firebird)	$155
350-cid four-barrel V-8 (Formula)	$90
400-cid four-barrel V-8 (Formula)	$155 - $205
400-cid four-barrel V-8 (Trans Am)	$50
Four-speed manual transmission (Firebird)	$257
Turbo-Hydra-Matic	$248
Safe-T-Track differential	$54
Rally RTS handling package	$46 - $116
Heavy-duty battery	$16 - $18
Maintenance-free battery	$31
Heavy-duty alternator	$45
Engine block heater	$12 - $13
Esprit Skybird appearance package	$325 - $342
Trans Am Special Edition	$556 - $1143
Firebird custom trim group	$27 - $118
Formula appearance package	$127
Air conditioning	$442 - $540
Cruise control	$80 - $84
Power windows	$108 - $151
Glass sunroof	$587
Canopy top	$105
Rear spoiler	$51

HISTORICAL NOTES

Introduced Sept. 30, 1976
Alex C. Mair was Pontiac's general manager
High sales of the Trans Am of 1977-79 was certainly due to the 1977 movie Smokey and the Bandit starring Burt Reynolds, Sally Fields, and Jackie Gleason. It was a cops-and-robbers chase spectacular. The "bandit" was the unstoppable black Trans Am.

1977 FIREBIRD PHOTOS

LITERATURE & LINKS

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