Pontiac brought back the legendary Ram Air name for its new cold-air induction system it released as an option for 1996 Formula and Trans Am models. In 1997 that same system was made available for Trans Am convertibles. Other than this change and the ones listed above, however, 1997 models were nearly identical to the 1996 models. This was not a bad thing though.

The WS6 package created one of the most powerful Firebirds ever released, and the Ram Air system boosted the horsepower of the 5.7 litre small block V8 to 305. When the engine was not coupled with the Ram Air system, it was rated at a respectable 285 horsepower. This package also included 17-inch wheels, the largest wheels that had ever been available on a Firebird.

The 3.8 litre V6 engine had been introduced during the 1995 production year, and produced 200 horsepower. Buyers of the base model also had the option to add the 3800 Performance Package to the base model, which included four-wheel disc brakes, dual exhaust, limited-slip differential and alloy wheels.

As good as these V8 engine options were, Pontiac would introduce even more power the following year. With all of these improvements, it is easy to see why many critics consider the fourth-generation Firebird among the best of the make, including the legendary 1970s models. Even still, sales numbers had dropped in 1996 and would remain low throughout the rest of the car’s lifespan. Total production for 1997 was 30,754. Though this represented a (very) slight increase from the year before, production would remain around the 30,000 mark for the rest of the years the Firebird was produced.

Also unchanged from the previous year (or since 1993, for that matter), was the fact the Firebird came in three models.

Firebird

The base model was often the leader in Firebird sales, and the increased performance (and performance options) offered to these cars continued to help sales of the car in the mid to late 1990s. With production at 17,618 in 1997, there were 4,482 more base models produced than the other two models combined.

Firebird Formula

As it had been since the name plate was revived during the third-generation of Firebirds, the Formula represented a Firebird that was geared for performance, but didn’t include many of the options that came with the top of the line Trans Am. But by 1997, sales of the Formula were low and dropping, a trend that would never be reversed. 3,090 were built in 1997.

Trans Am

The Trans Am was the only 1997 Firebird model to see a sales increase. Production was up to 13,659 from 10,046 the year before. This increasing sales trend would continue the following year, and by the first year of the next decade, the Trans Am would overtake the base model as the best selling Firebird.

Pony Car Competition

The only other true pony cars on the road in 1991 were the Camaro and the Mustang, though the three cars were by no means only competing with each other. They also had to deal with numerous import cars and a car-buying population that seemed to grow less and less interested in the traditional pony car class.

While Firebird and Camaro sales numbers were up, Mustang dropped this year to 108,344, its lowest point since 1992. Unfortunately, as Camaro and Firebird numbers dropped or stayed about the same, sales of the Mustang would rise throughout the next few years, another factor that led to the end of the Firebird.

For Sale

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Engine Specifications

Performance Statistics