1975 Pontiac Firebird Reviews, Pricing & Specs

Well, it looks good anyway. Even if its sports racing attributes are the stuff of history thanks to government energy regulations and the requirement of catalytic converters. The 1975 Pontiac Firebird was truly the only performance car left, even if this performance was only nominal. But next to the Mustang's pitiful 105-hp, the Firebird was a rocket. Changes for the 1975 Firebird include the loss of the 455 engine, 4-speed Muncie manual transmission, TurboHydramatic auto tran, and dual exhaust pipes, signaling the final nail in the coffin of the pony car era. The Firebird Esprit was downgraded to the 250 I6 engine at 175-hp, while the Formula came with either the weak 150-hp 350 V8 or the 400 V8. The Trans Am featured the 400 V8 as well, but in 1975 this was rated at a gasping 185-hp. It still had a good 310 lb-ft of torque, but as further sign that street racing was no longer a priority, a new speedometer listed the max speed at 100 mph instead of the previous 160 mph. The 455 made a brief reapparance midyear, but this was a deceptive return. Though the Trans Am's hood scoop featured a cleverly marketed 455 decal, this was merely the same engine that was in the more staid Bonneville, which only hit 200-hp with a 4-speed manual transmission. The other big change for the 1975 Firebird was a larger wraparound rear window that improved visibility and blind spots that had plagued the previous Firebirds when they got rid of the rear quarter windows. Though not the bullet it once was, the Firebird was still loved by its owners who found the handling sporty enough and the power adequately fun.