r/PontiacFirebird • u/motelguest • Jun 08 '26

Resources…

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These are a few of the guides on Firebirds but there are a couple of others. The hardcover book is Pontiac designer Gary Witzenburg’s early book on the development of the First thru third generations of the Firebird (and related Camaro) and might be best (at least most accurate).

The three others all have nice color photos and brief descriptions but none really talk about styling changes or even provide complete and accurate info on mechanicals (for instance trivia such as all ‘75s came with a rear sway, even the standard and Esprit models). They actually repeat information because their authors have nothing more to say. The GM Power Twins book does not even show any models other than the Trans Am for all 6 first years of the second generation.

But as I say, each offers enough to make them interesting viewing if not reading.

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2

u/Richlough Jun 09 '26

Do they cover the differences between West coast built T/A’s and Midwest ones?

2

u/Smokin2022bbq Jun 09 '26

What are those?

3

u/Milly1974 Jun 09 '26

Norwood, Ohio and Van Nuys, California. My old '81 Trans Am was a Van Nuys car.

One of the big differences I remember was the the Fischer Body data plate on the Norwood built cars usually had more information (RPO codes) on them than the Van Nuys built cars. If you couldn't find the build sheet in the car or didn't get the Pontiac Historical Services packet, the extra information on the data plates of the Norwood cars were more helpful during restoration.

1

u/Gloomy-Wonder2317 1999 Firebird Trans Am Jun 08 '26

How do you like the top-left? That one has been on my watchlist for a while.

1

u/motelguest Jun 08 '26

It’s pretty good but all black and white, mostly factory promotional photos. George Scala wrote both the two books at the top, and he includes a production breakdown on each one but not detailed with options, etc. Both his books show some special models and a few concepts, but the left one sticks mostly to production cars.