.

Though the 1996 Firebird models visually resembled their third-generation predecessors, some substantial changes under the hood (and to available option packages) were making the cars more and more desirable. First was that WS6 package that added 30 horsepower to the top performing Firebird.

Available on the Formula and Trans Am models, the WS6 package revived the Ram Air name and added a cold-air induction system that increased horsepower to 305. Additionally, the package included 17-inch wheels, the largest that had ever been available on a Firebird.

The 5.7 litre V8 without the Ram Air package also received additional horsepower, growing from 275 to 285. A 3.8 litre OHV V6 had been introduced as an option mid-way through the 1995 production year, and by 1996 had rendered the former 3.4 litre V6 obsolete. The 3800 Performance Package added perks to the base model like four-wheel disc brakes, dual exhaust, limited-slip differential and alloy wheels.

With all of these improvements, it is easy to see why many critics labeled the fourth-generation models as the best Firebirds of all time. And future improvements to performance would continue to validate these statements. Unfortunately, sales would not be high enough to keep the cars around to see what would’ve happened for a fifth generation.

After a fourth-generation production high of over 50,000 in 1995, sales slipped in 1996 and a total of 30,097 Firebirds were produced. Sales would continue to stay around this number for the rest of the Firebird’s career until the line was eventually dropped in 2002.

Firebird

Like the previous fourth-generation Firebirds, only three models were available: base, Formula and Trans Am. As it would be for the rest of the decade, the base model was the best selling Firebird of 1996. With the new more powerful engine and the 3800 Performance Package option, it is easy to see why. 18,749 were produced throughout the year.

Firebird Formula

Sales of the Formula model dropped by more than half from 1995 to 1996. Total production was 3,335 and production for the model would never be higher than this for the rest of the car’s career.

Trans Am

Once again, the Trans Am proved to be the best selling Firebird of 1996, and total production was at 6,802. Unlike the Formula model, this number would rise consistently throughout the rest of the 1990s.

Pony Car Competition

With the introduction of the new Mustang in 1994 that harkened back to its pony car roots, the pony car wars were once again raging on America’s streets like they had been back in the late 1960s. Unlike that time, however, domestic sports cars weren’t the only models competing for car-buyers attention. For decades, the market had been infiltrated with numerous import sports cars that were increasingly taking sales away from American sports cars.

But there was still competition among the three pony cars left (Firebird, Camaro and Mustang). While sales of both the Camaro and Mustang fell in 1996, the Mustang still outsold both the Camaro and Firebird combined. Unfortunately for General Motors, this would be a trend that would continue for many of the subsequent years.

Due to all of these considerations, both the Firebird and the Camaro would eventually be discontinued after 2002, though the Camaro would make a comeback eight years later.

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