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1983
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                                                   MONDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 1982

                                                                  1983 FIREBIRD

One of America's most aerodynamic sport coupes, the 1983 Firebird offers powertrain improvements including new four-speed and five-speed manual transmissions, four-speed automatic and a more powerful V-6 HO engine as standard on S/E models. Firebird continues to offer three distinct models in 1983 - the Sporty first-level (base) coupe, the luxurious sophisticated S/E and the performance-oriented Trans Am.

First level Firebirds continue to feature the 2.5-liter electronic fuel injected (EFI) engine, however, in 1983 it is combined with a new wide-ratio, four-speed manual transmission that has an integral rail shifter. This standard powertrain offers projected EPA fuel economy ratings at 24 miles per gallon for city driving and 34 on the highway.

The new five-speed manual transmission with integral rail shifter is optional with the four-cylinder engine on Firebird. This powertrain combination offers the best approved-EPA fuel economy ratings for Firebird (without air conditioning) of 26 and 42 miles per gallon for city and highway driving, respectively.

Featuring gear ratios that are matched to the engine's power output, the overdrive manual transmission has a fifth gear that helps increase fuel economy, cuts engine heat and noise and reduces engine wear. An aluminum alloy gear case contributes to mass reduction and an overall increase in vehicle performance.

Engine options for first level Firebirds include a 2.8-liter V-6 two-barrel or 5.0-liter V-8 four-barrel, both standard with a five-speed manual transmission. A new four-speed automatic overdrive transmission is available with all engines (L-4 and V-6 to be available in January 1983). The addition of the lock-up torque converter combines the best features of an automatic with those of a five-speed transmission. This system is designed to eliminate slip and loss of efficiency and improve high speed economy.

First level Firebirds feature new standard Rally wheels with chrome exposed lug nuts. Inside, carryover full-reclining bucket seats in a Sierra vinyl or optional Pompey cloth have a dual retractor seatbelt system for improved comfort. An all-new design, leatherwrapped Formula steering wheel is optional.

Firebird S/E gets added performance in 1983 with a new 2.8-liter V-6 high output (HO) standard engine and five-speed manual transmission. The 60 degree HO engine, being used for the first time in a Pontiac rear-wheel-drive application, features larger intake and exhaust valves with a low restriction exhaust system for better breathing and quicker evacuation of exhaust gases.

An 8.9:1 compression ratio with special pistons offers more efficient utilization of available fuel. Horsepower for this high performance V-6 engine is rated at 125 at 5400 rpm and net torque is 145 lb. ft. at 2400 rpm.

Optional powerplants on S/E include 2.5-liter EFI four-cylinder (delete credit) or 5.0-liter V-8 four-barrel with standard five-speed manual or optional four-speed automatic transmissions.

Inside S/E, a new Pallex cloth is standard along with a split folding rear seat and separate adjustable headrests for the reclining custom bucket seats. All three items are included in the custom trim option for Firebird and Trans Am.

New Lear Siegler adjustable custom front bucket seats are optional with luxury cloth or leather seating surfaces in the S/E or with the custom trim option. This fully-articulating seat provides adjustable vertical thigh support and lower lumbar support as well as seat back and cushion wing adjustments.

The 1983 Trans Am continues to offer a 5.0-liter V-8 engine as its standard engine. Combined with a new five-speed manual transmission which features a 2.95:1 first gear and a 0.73:1 overdrive fifth gear, the standard powertrain with a 3.73 axle ratio maintains performance and improves fuel economy over 1982. Also in 1983, fresh air hood induction, using the asymetric sport hood, is standard on all Trans Ams. A 5.0-liter dual throttle body injected V-8 engine continues to be available on Trans Am with the new four-speed automatic transmission.

Pontiac will introduce two special Trans Ams in 1983. A Special Edition Recaro Trans Am features a black exterior with gold accents, gold finned turbo cast aluminum wheels with 215/65R15 steel-belted radial tires, doeskin leather Recarn front bucket seats and a gold hood applique. In addition, the Recaro also has an AM-FM cassette ETR stereo radio with graphic equalizer, the high performance WS6 handling package and a choice of the 5.0-liter EFI V-8 with automatic or the 5.0-liter V-8 four-barrel with five-speed manual. Again in 1983, Trans Am will pace the 25th Daytona 500 in February. To commemorate this event, a second special Trans Am will be offered -- the Daytona 500 25th Anniversary Limited Edition Trans Am. This car will have a special mid-body two-tone paint and leather and pigskin Recaro bucket seats. Additional equipment is similar to that standard on the Recaro Trans Am, but the Daytona car also will feature red instrument panel lighting and a special aero package that should give this car a slippery drag coefficient of about .305.

A modified MacPherson front suspension design is solid-mounted to the body structure through a bolt-on crossmember. The rear suspension continues to feature a torque arm with control arms, new variable rate coil springs and a long, lateral track bar. Specially-tailored levels of ride and handling for Firebird models are carryover in 1983 and feature specific wheels, tires, stabilizer bars and power steering ratio.

The optimum WS6 level suspension, optional on S/E and Trans Am, includes 215/65R15 steel-belted radial tires on 15 x 7-inch finned turbo cast aluminum wheels; 32mm front and 21mm (18mm on V-6) stabilizer bars; 12.7:1 power steering ratio; four-wheel disc brakes; positraction rear axle, and springs shocks and bushings tuned for optimum cornering and wheel control over smooth and not-so-smooth surfaces.

Power front disc brakes and power steering are standard on all Firebird models. New Delco radio options include electronically tuned (ETR) AM/FM stereo units with and without clock and seek and scan features. All 1983 Firebird stereo radios feature a new electronic tuning system along with a new better performance sound, using acoustically matched response speakers which perform at a level that is believed to be equal to competitive extended range systems.

- Pontiac Press Release November 1982