Its predecessor was built for more than 11 years, a latter-day American record exceeded only by a General Motors stablemate, the contemporary Corvette. There were clear reasons for that success. When the second generation Camaro and Firebirds were introduced in early 1970, they created their own market niche with decisive conception, unusually clean design and crisp handling.
So when after 2.84 million units of those second generation F-bodies, the assembly lines were shut down to make way for their successors, it was no surprise that the sport coupes were old-fashioned. Though still visually attractive, they had been rendered almost grotesquely large and heavy. The time had come for a new more efficient bird.
With aggressive new looks and even better handling in a trimmer package, the debut of the third generation Pontiac Firebird Trans Am saw an impressive sales increase to 52,960 units.
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