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
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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