Pontiac Firebird (1996) – Ultimate Guide

Introduction

The 1996 Firebirds were members of a dwindling breed: the rear-wheel-drive American muscle car.

FIREBIRD

Standard equipment included

  • a black fixed-mast antenna
  • soft fascia type bumpers
  • composite doors
  • fenders
  • fascias and roof (except convertible)
  • a rear deck spoiler
  • Solar-Ray tinted glass
  • concealed quartz-halogen headlights
  • front license plate bracket
  • lighted rear license plate bracket
  • dual sport mirrors (left-hand mirror remote controlled) or left-hand and right-hand power remote mirrors with blue glass on all convertibles and Trans Am coupe
  • two-coat-component waterborne basecoat/clearcoat paint
  • rear deck lid spoiler with integrated center high-mounted stop lamp
  • one-piece multi-color tail lamp lenses
  • P215/50R16 steel-belted radial black sidewall touring tires
  • high-pressure T125/70D15 compact spare tire on 15 x 4-in. steel wheel
  • bright silver 16 x 8-in. sport cast aluminum wheels
  • controlled-cycle windshield wipers
  • extensive acoustical insulation
  • driver and passenger airbags
  • air conditioning (convertible only)
  • full-length console with cup holder and storage box adjoining to instrument panel
  • cruise control (convertible only)
  • electric rear window defogger (convertible only)
  • power side windows
  • automatic power door locks (convertible only)
  • Metrix cloth seat fabric
  • locking glove box
  • hatch release or rear deck lid release on convertibles
  • instrumentation including
    • analog speedometer
    • tachometer
    • coolant temperature gauge
    • oil pressure gauge
    • voltmeter
    • trip odometer
  • ashtray lamp
  • dome lamp (except convertible)
  • glove box lamp
  • rear seat courtesy lamp (convertible only)
  • trunk lamp (convertible only)
  • carpeted front floor mats
  • day/night rearview mirror with reading lamps
  • left-hand and right-hand covered visor vanity mirrors
  • Delco 2001 series electronically-tuned AM/FM stereo radio with
    • cassette
    • seven-band equalizer
    • clock
    • touch control
    • seek up/down
    • search and replay
    • Delco theft lock
    • remote compact disc player pre-wiring
    • four-speaker coaxial sound system (convertible and Trans Am coupe only)
  • rear deck lid release
  • safety belts
  • two-way manual reclining front bucket seats
  • folding rear seat
  • four-spoke steering wheel
  • adjustable tilt steering column
  • power window controls with driver side “express-down” feature for convertible only (requires power mirrors and power door locks)
  • 105-ampere alternator
  • extensive anti-corrosion protection
  • Delco Freedom II battery
  • four-wheel antilock-braking system with front discs and rear drums
  • brake/transmission interlock with automatic transmission
  • stainless steel exhaust system (federal)
  • General Motors Computer Command Control system
  • low-oil-level monitor and warning
  • driver-selectable transmission controls (automatic transmission only)
  • V-6 normal second gear start (coupe only)
  • power rack-and-pinion steering
  • short and long arm suspension with front and rear stabilizer bars and F41 Ride & Handling package
  • PASS-Key II theft-deterrent system
  • 3.8-liter V-6
  • five-speed manual transmission

FORMULA

Formula models also include (in addition or in place of the above)

  • neutral-density tail lamps with smooth-contour lenses
  • P235/55R16 steel-belted radial touring tires
  • air conditioning
  • 125-ampere alternator
  • four-wheel power disc brakes
  • electric rear window defogger (convertible only)
  • power door locks (convertible only)
  • rear seat courtesy lamps (convertible only)
  • trunk lamp (convertible only)
  • driver-selectable transmission control (with automatic transmission only)
  • V-6 normal second gear start (convertible only)
  • 5.7-liter V-8
  • six-speed manual transmission

TRANS AM

Trans Am models also include (in addition to or in place of Formula features)

  • a power antenna (convertible only)
  • fog lamps
  • body-color body side moldings
  • P245/50ZR16 speed-rated tires (all-weather tires type on convertible only)
  • cruise control
  • electric rear window defogger
  • automatic power door locks
  • rear floor mats (convertible only)
  • Delco 2001 series electronically-tuned AM/FM stereo with auto reverse cassette and seven-band graphic equalizer (convertible only)
  • four-way manual driver’s seat and two-way manual front passenger seat
  • leather-wrapped steering wheel including leather-wrapped shift knob and parking brake handle (coupe only)
  • leather-wrapped steering wheel with radio controls including leather-wrapped shift knob and parking brake (convertible only)
  • power window controls with driver side “express-down” feature (requires power mirrors and power door locks)

I.D. NUMBERS

IDENTIFICATION

ENGINE

TRANSMISSION

CHASSIS

OPTIONS

HISTORICAL NOTES

1996 Firebird Notes

1996 Automotive Notes

  • GM news:
  • Ford news:
  • Chrysler news:
  • AMC news:
  • Other makes news:
  • Top American Automobile Corporations for 1996

 

1. General Motors?
2. Ford?
3. Chrysler?
4. AMC?
5. Others?

 

  • Top model year production for 1996
Ford    1,036,048
Pontiac   541,844
Chevrolet   537,711
Lincoln/Mercury   389,711
Buick   342,538
Saturn   313,937
Oldsmobile    300,032
Dodge   280,416
Cadillac    162,249
Plymouth   185,705
Chrysler   52,071
Acura   105,443

1996 FIREBIRD Photo Gallery