With the well-known fact that the fourth-generation Firebirds would be released in 1993, Pontiac opted to leave the 1992 Firebird almost exactly the same as the 1991 models. This featured a redesigned nose that was introduced in 1991, and convertibles were also still available, selling better than they had when they were issued the previous year for the first time since 1969.

Total production, however, was down drastically, as it seemed the car-buying public had finally grown tired of the third-generation styling of the Firebird and wanted to wait and see what the fourth-generation had to offer. Only 27,569 were produced, which was barely more than similarly low 1990 numbers – though that year’s sales were influenced by the fact that Firebirds were only produced for half of the year.

Though engine options remained the same as they had been in 1991, performance was improved for the 5.0 engine when equipped with the Performance Equipment Group. This addition increased the horsepower of the engine from 205 to 230. The base engine was still a 3.1 litre V6 rated at 135 horsepower, and a 5.7 litre V8 was offered that produced 210 horsepower.

The adhesive was added after driver complaints of rattles from the car, and it helped sturdy the car as well as eliminating noises. The interior of the car had been restyled in 1990, and remained the same in 1992 as it had been for the previous two years. It would be completely overhauled in 1993 along with the exterior of the car.

Firebird

Though total sales of the Firebird were significantly down for the 1992 model year, the production of the base models did not drop all that much, and accounted for nearly all of Firebird sales. At the end of the production year, 22,499 base models had been produced, along with 1,265 additional base convertibles.

Firebird Formula

Sales of the Formula models had been significantly down since the models high of 16,670 in 1989. This year was no exception, and only 1,017 were produced, down from 5,490 the previous year.

Trans Am

Though it was not the lowest selling Firebird model in 1992 (an honor that would go to the GTA), sales of the Trans Am were also down. Only 969 hardtop models were produced, along with 663 Trans Am convertibles.

Trans Am GTA

It appears that the top of the line Firebird was no longer a desire of many Firebird buyers by 1992. Only 508 were manufactured throughout the production year.

Pony Car Competition

Firebird sales were not the only American sports cars to post low sales numbers in 1992. Production of the Camaro was at 70,712 own more than 30,000 from 1991, and the Mustang also dropped to 79,280 which was more than 130,000 less than it had been in 1988.

As American car-buyers entered a new decade, it appeared they were ready for something new from all of the legendary car makers, and something new is what they would get. Shortly after the fourth-generation Firebirds and Camaros would be introduced in 1993, the Mustang would offer its own fourth-generation model the following year. With it, the Mustang finally could again be considered a true pony car once again, and it sparked the beginning of the second pony car war.

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