Though the Firebird had sold well in 1975, the 1976 models marked somewhat of a turning point for the car, particularly for the Trans Am model, which was becoming increasingly more popular. With total production at 110,675, Trans Am models made up 46,704 of those, and that number would continue to increase throughout subsequent years.

In addition to the T-Tops, the Special Edition Trans Am also came in the now iconic black and gold color scheme, which would eventually come to somewhat define the 1970’s Trans Ams. This model would become even more famous the following year when a 1977 model was used in “Smokey and the Bandit.”

In addition to the bumpers being more angular, they also were now color-keyed to the car, one of the most distinguishing features between the 1976 models and those of the previous year. The interior was upgraded, as well – the seats were more contoured and added additional padding, and other interior changes made gave the car a fresh feel.

Other than these changes, the cars remained very similar to the 1975 models, particularly when it came to engine options, which were almost exactly the same. Base models were equipped with a 250 CID six-cylinder engine rated at 110 horsepower, which was an improvement over the 100 horsepower rating of the year before. Both the Esprit and the Formula models came standard with the base V8, a 350 CID engine rated at 160 horsepower. This was a five horsepower improvement over the year before. A 400 CID, 185 horsepower engine was standard in the Trans Am, and this could be upgraded to a 455 CID engine that produced 200 horsepower. 1976 would be the last year the 455 engine was available in the Trans Am.

Base Firebird

Until 1975, the base model and the Esprit flip-flopped being the best selling Firebird models, but for the rest of the second-generation models, this honor would go to the ever more popular Trans Am. The base model came in third in Firebird sales in 1976, and production was at 21,209 for the year. The base price for the model was $3,906.

Esprit

Clocking in at $256 more expensive than the base model, the Esprit was touted as the luxury Firebird and included the base 350 V8. It was the second best selling Firebird of the year, and 22,252 were produced.

Firebird Formula

Sales for the Formula were increasing, as well. Production was at 20,613, up from 13,670 the year before, indicating that buyers were still interested in performance even as gas prices were rising and the economy was getting worse. Also including the 350 V8, the Formula models included a heavy duty suspension that improved handling.

Trans Am

Further proving that buyers were still interested in power was the aforementioned skyrocketing sales of the Trans Am models. The car would add an additional 20,000 in sales the following year.

Pony Car Competition

By 1976, the Camaro was really the only pony car competition the Firebird had left. And as far as performance was concerned, the Firebird was the winner, as the top Camaro performance was only 165 horsepower. But, as they always had, sales of the Firebird still lagged behind the Camaro, which had a total production of 182,959 for the year.

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