With low sales plaguing the Firebird since the mid-1990s, Pontiac opted not to provide many changes to the 2001 Firebird. In fact, the cars had all essentially been carryover models since a restyle was performed in 1998. With sales dropping even further in 2001, the Firebirds would never again receive a restyle before the line was dropped in 2002. In addition to the changes mentioned above, new interior and exterior colors were introduced to provide slight differentiation between the 2001 and 2000 models.

But even with the lack of changes and low sales, the 2001 Firebird was an attractive and great performing machine, particularly when equipped with its V8 engine options. Known as the LS1, the all-aluminum 5.7 litre V8 had been swiped from the Corvette before being detuned and dropped into the Firebird. The extra five ponies this year improved the engine even more.

If the 310 horsepower wasn’t enough, Trans Am-buyers could opt for the Ram Air feature included with the WS6, which included functional cold-air intakes to boost the horsepower rating up to 325. Additionally, the cold air intakes gave the car the aggressive and intimidating dual “nostril” look, and also included 17-inch wheels.

But not to be left out, even V6 provided supple power to the base model. The 3.8 litre 3800 V6 was rated at 200 horsepower. This model could be improved upon with the Sport Appearance Package, which added sports wheels among other options to give the base model cars the appearance of their Formula and Trans Am brothers. A Performance Package also was available that added four-wheel disc brakes, alloy wheels, dual exhaust and a Torsen limited-slip differential. The latter had been introduced to the Firebird line in 1999, and was standard on all V8 models.

But, as mentioned before, all of this wasn’t enough to boost sales of the Firebird, which dropped from 31,826 in 2000 to 21,436 in 2001. Though sales would rise in 2002 (back to around the 30,000 mark), it wouldn’t be enough to save the cars from being discontinued that year.

Firebird

The previous year, sales of the base models dropped below sales of the Trans Am for the first time since 1993, and this trend continued in 2001. Production of the 2001 base models were down to 9,538 from 14,678 the year before.

Firebird Formula

Since the fourth-generation Firebirds had been introduced in 1993, the Formula had perennially been the worst selling of the three models. Though it offered the same standard performance as the Trans Am at a no-frills price, production in 2001 was down to 1,037. This number would manage to drop even further in 2002.

Trans Am

Though the Trans Am was the best selling Firebird model, production still dropped from the previous year. 10,861 were produced throughout the model year, down from 15,613 the year before.

Pony Car Competition

In 2001, only three of the original pony cars were still on the road: Firebird, Camaro and Mustang. Unfortunately, Camaro sales were dropping nearly to the level of the Firebirds, while the Mustang was continuing to sell relatively well (Mustang production was at 142,647 for the 2001 model year). With low sales and continuing competition not only from the Mustang but also from many sporty import cars and other domestic sports cars, the Firebird and Camaro were no longer equipped to compete in the market, leading to their aforementioned 2002 discontinuation.

For Sale

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Engine Specifications

Performance Statistics