1970.E2.80.931982 Pontiac

1973 pontiac grand am, first model year of grand am



1975 pontiac astre

for 1973, pontiac restyled personal-luxury grand prix, mid-sized lemans , compact ventura models , introduced all-new grand part of lemans line. other models including big cars , firebirds received minor updates. again, power dropped across engines more emissions requirements came effect. 1973 firebird trans s factory applied hood decal, john schinella restylized interpretation of native american fire bird, took of available space on hood. in 1973, new super duty 455 engine ( super duty harkening pontiac s racing engines) introduced. although supposed available in gtos , firebirds, few sd 455 engines made firebird trans ams year. 1 equipped tested car , driver magazine, proclaimed last of fast cars. pendulum had swung, , sd 455 hung on 1 more year in trans am.

all federal emissions , safety regulations required in full effect 1974 causing demise of 2 of 3 iterations of big 455 cubic inch engines after year. last version of 455 hang on 2 more years before being discontinued.

the 1975 grand ville last full-size convertible built pontiac

for 1975, pontiac introduced new sub-compact astre, version of chevrolet vega. brand s entry fuel economy segment of market. astre had been sold exclusively in canada 1973. offered through 1977 model year. 1975 see end of pontiac convertibles next decade.

the 1976 models last of traditional american large cars powered big block v8 engines. after year, gm models go through downsizing , shrink in length, width, weight , available engine size. 1976 sunbird, based on chevrolet vega , monza s equivalent, joined line. first offered notchback, hatchback body style added in 1977. vega wagon body style added in 1978, sunbird safari wagon, replacing astre safari wagon. sunbird offered in rear-wheel-drive configuration through 1980 model year. (sunbird safari wagon through 1979.)

at mid-year 1977, pontiac introduced phoenix, upscale version of ventura replaced ventura entirely after end of 1977 model year. pontiac introduced 151 cubic inch iron duke 4-cylinder overhead valve engine. first used in 1977 astre, replacing astre s aluminum-block 140 cubic inch vega engine. iron duke engine later go many gm , non-gm automobiles 1990s. 151 cubic inch l4 , 301 cubic inch v8 last 2 engines designed solely pontiac. subsequent engine design accomplished 1 central office designs being shared each brand.

for model year 1977, full sized pontiacs received same downsizing gm s other b body cars. new bonnevilles , catalinas continued best-sellers, although styling similarity chevrolet caprice seen buyers cheapening of pontiac s image. in 1981, full-size bonneville discontinued, name reassigned body intermediate platform. left catalina big pontiac, further reducing sales buyers went more plushness.

the remainder of 1970s , 1980s saw continued rise of luxury, safety , economy key selling points in pontiac products. wire-spoked wheel covers returned first time since 1930s. more station wagons ever being offered. padded vinyl roofs options on every model. rear-wheel drive began slow demise introduction of first front-wheel drive pontiac, 1980 phoenix (a version of chevrolet citation). firebird continued fly high on success of smokey , bandit film, still offering formula , trans packages, plus pontiac first- turbocharged v8, 1980 , 1981 model years.

in addition this, rockford files, lasted 6 years used esprit firebird. james garner given new model each year, resprayed , painted. disapproved of front facelift. turn performed throughout show own stunts , came known rockford turn or j turn.