- "The automotive family tree includes the branch that bore muscle cars -- those revered, big-engined road rockets of yore," said PMD's
1998 sales catalog. "As often happens when a species evolves, the strong get stronger."
- The hot, rear-drive 2+2 Firebird offered just five model choices in 1998, after dropping the Formula convertible.
- Previously base, Formula, and Trans Am convertibles were offered, but ragtop production failed to top 8,000 units in 1996-1997.
Production numbers for 1998 were close to 2,100 ragtops.
- Coupes were again featured in base, Formula, and Trans Am trim levels.
- Formulas and Trans Ams got a new, all-aluminum 5.7-liter 305-hp V-8 with a six-speed manual transmission.
- A Ram Air package provided 320 hp.
- Styling was freshened with a front fascia that incorporated a new headlamp design.
- There were updated taillights, too.
- Suspension tuning was revised and base models received a one-piece driveshaft.
- Firebird V-8s with four-speed automatic transmissions had a larger torque converter.
- All Firebirds got standard four-wheel disc brakes.
- A midyear Formula option was an AutoCross package with a beefed-up suspension.
- A $1,125-delete option that turned the Formula into a stripped-down street performance car was also new.
- Firebird coupe: Standard equipment on the base Firebird coupe included
- extensive acoustical insulation
- dual front airbags
- air
conditioning
- a black fixed mast antenna at right rear
- a brake/transmission shift interlock safety feature with automatic transmission
- power
four-wheel disc brakes with four-wheel ABS
- the RPO L36 3800 Series II 200-hp SFI V-6 engine
- cruise control
- electric rear and side
window defoggers
- Solar-Ray tinted glass
- instrumentation (including an electric analog speedometer
- a tachometer
- odometer
- coolant
temperature indicator
- oil pressure gauge
- voltmeter and LED trip odometer)
- sport exterior mirrors (left-hand remote controlled)
- a day/night
inside rearview mirror with reading lamps
- left-hand and right-hand covered visor vanity mirrors
- a Delco AM/FM stereo ETR radio and cassette
- with seven-band graphic equalizer
- touch control
- search-and-replay
- Delco theft lock
- clock
- seek up/down
- remote CD prewiring
-
four-speaker coaxial sound system
- reclining front bucket seats
- four-way driver and passenger front seat manual adjusters
- a rear two-
passenger folding seat
- a four-spoke sport tilt steering wheel with adjustable column
- the PASS-Key II theft-deterrent system
- P215/60R16
touring tires with a high-pressure compact spare
- the RPO MM5 five-speed manual transmission
- controlled-cycle windshield wipers
-
bright silver 16-in. five-spoke cast aluminum wheels
- Formula coupe: Formula models also included (in addition or in place of the above)
- a power antenna
- power door locks
- power
automatic sport mirrors with blue glass
- a Delco 500-watt peak power Monsoon® AM/FM stereo with
- CD
- seven-band graphic equalizer
-
clock
- Touch Control
- seek up/down
- search-and-replay
- Delco anti-theft lock
- high-performance 10-speaker sound system in coupe or
six-speaker sound system in convertible
- HSS speakers and tweeters in doors
- 6.5-in. subwoofers in sail panels
- subwoofer amp and four
speakers
- tweeters in rear quarter panels
- a leather-wrapped steering wheel with radio controls (including leather-wrapped steering wheel;
shift knob and parking brake handle)
- P245/5OZR16 speed-rated all-weather tires
- power window controls with driver's "express down"
feature (power mirrors and door locks required)
- Trans Am: Trans Am models also included (in addition to or in place of Formula features)
- an audible content theft-deterrent
system
- remote keyless entry
- a six-way power front driver's seat
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