The truth about 1st gen Firebird

[Mpressmi]

It outsold the Camaro! bring the bird back

[BigAls87Z28]

Um...better check them numbers

Firebird Production numbers
http://www.transamworld.com/bird-prod-numbers.php

Camaro Production Numbers
http://en.allexperts.com/e/c/ch/chevrolet_camaro.htm

There will be no more firebird, sorry

[Canuck]

What does first generation sales (even if you post was correct) have to do with GM bringing back the Firebird name? Plenty of other names sold well in other decades. By your logic GM should bring these names back as well?

[Mpressmi]

Isn't that what they are trying to do with the GTO ?

[Mpressmi]

fOUND http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pontiac_Firebird


The First Generation Firebirds had a characteristic "coke-bottle" styling. Unlike its sister-car, the Chevrolet Camaro, its bumpers were integrated into the design of the front end and its rear "slit" taillights were inspired by the Pontiac GTO. Both a two-door hardtop and a convertible were offered through the 1970 model year (the next generation, minus the convertible, being announced as 1970-1/2 models). Originally the car was a "consolation prize" for Pontiac, who had initially wished to produce a two-seat sports car of its own design, based on the original Banshee concept car. However, GM feared such a vehicle would directly compete with Chevrolet's Corvette, and the decision was made to give Pontiac a piece of the pony car market by having them sharing the F-body platform with Chevrolet. Somewhat disappointed at management's decision, Pontiac went about re-making the F-body in their own image with both styling and engineering changes.
It outsold the Camaro.

[Mpressmi]

When the hit movie Smokey and the Bandit came out in the summer of 1977, sales of the Trans Am skyrocketed over 100% from 1976, no doubt due to the movie's popularity.

If Gm would have made it already and it showed up in the new knight rider maybe it wouldn't have been a ccx

[TiburonJT]

Originally Posted by Mpressmi

fOUND http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pontiac_Firebird


The First Generation Firebirds had a characteristic "coke-bottle" styling. Unlike its sister-car, the Chevrolet Camaro, its bumpers were integrated into the design of the front end and its rear "slit" taillights were inspired by the Pontiac GTO. Both a two-door hardtop and a convertible were offered through the 1970 model year (the next generation, minus the convertible, being announced as 1970-1/2 models). Originally the car was a "consolation prize" for Pontiac, who had initially wished to produce a two-seat sports car of its own design, based on the original Banshee concept car. However, GM feared such a vehicle would directly compete with Chevrolet's Corvette, and the decision was made to give Pontiac a piece of the pony car market by having them sharing the F-body platform with Chevrolet. Somewhat disappointed at management's decision, Pontiac went about re-making the F-body in their own image with both styling and engineering changes.
It outsold the Camaro.

Wikipedia is not a reliable source because most of the info on the site can be edited by anyone. I don't know the sales numbers, but you should find a site with more accurate information.

[redfox]

Sorry the Firebird has never out sold the Camaro.

[Ttple]

I thought the only year that a firebird (trans am) outsold a Camaro was 78 or 79 thanks to Burt Reynolds.

[Canuck]

Originally Posted by Mpressmi

Isn't that what they are trying to do with the GTO ?

GM has countless great names to draw upon for new models, but why should Pontiac have a version of the Camaro? I am not discounting the rabid fanbase on this site of the Firebird. I am a former owner a Firebird, and I loved it.

The GTO has always been different than the Camaro and having different cars for the various divisions makes better sense than just reintroducing the Firebird as a companion to the Camaro.

[Hood Scoop]

Originally Posted by Canuck

GM has countless great names to draw upon for new models, but why should Pontiac have a version of the Camaro? I am not discounting the rabid fanbase on this site of the Firebird. I am a former owner a Firebird, and I loved it.

The GTO has always been different than the Camaro and having different cars for the various divisions makes better sense than just reintroducing the Firebird as a companion to the Camaro.

You had two insightful comments here. One, the sincere interest on this site, as well as many others, for the Firebird. Though I understand why the Firebird is a non-issue (your second point), it should be recognized by GM that such a following is there.

If it were just about the different products in different divisions then we should be seeing a 442 and GS-X soon. Point being, they could sell Firebirds. Far more Firebirds in fact than a 442, GS-x, or any other muscle car from their historic stable (including GTO). So why not reintroduce Camaro's companion? It would sell more in its first year than the GTO did.

[HoosierRon]

Eastbound and down...


Sheriff Buford T. Justice in all his glory:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=wqvLKdiVjqc

[Mpressmi]

To be honest to I am a little more of a gto fan then a firebird guy . I don't like the idea of the camaro and gto having equal platform esp. when the camaro was more of a pony car meant to battle the mustang. ANy one have an estimate on developing different tail lights seat dash and body kit for a T/A?

[Mpressmi]

I should also add I was my my whole life a chverolet fan bought a gtp switched to pontiac. Will be there a long time , Also I'd like to add why doesn't gm let the people decide make 2 concept one of each run the camaro alone for a year and do an election type promo the T/A vs. The GTO vote in show rooms should be a good way to get people to go

[Hood Scoop]

Originally Posted by Mpressmi

I should also add I was my my whole life a chverolet fan bought a gtp switched to pontiac. Will be there a long time , Also I'd like to add why doesn't gm let the people decide make 2 concept one of each run the camaro alone for a year and do an election type promo the T/A vs. The GTO vote in show rooms should be a good way to get people to go

Great idea! Unfortunately, it would either cost way too much or take too much time considering they would have to either have tooling and facilities ready to handle both cars or, design it all when the election is settled and that could take years. I mean, we have know for what, a year that the Camaro is coming, and it is still two years away.