I was recently contacted through the site by a woman looking to buy a 1971 Pontiac Firebird for her husband, and I was touched by her story. With her permission, I am sharing her story here.
1971 Pontiac Firebird image by Niels de Wit from Lunteren, The Netherlands (1971 Pontiac Firebird) [CC BY 2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons
The Story of an Ill-Fated Romance and a ’71 Pontiac Firebird
Gina and her husband, Mike, met in high school, but they weren’t high school sweethearts. I fact, they pretty much hated each other back then.
He was a kid from a poor family that didn’t have much, and he watched over and over as his friends who had cars of their own got the girls. So, like any kid who didn’t have rich parents and who wanted a car back then, he got an after school job. His first car, you guessed it, a 1971 Pontiac Firebird, white, like the one in the picture *though that one wasn’t his.
Gina’s dad was a lawyer, and she was (by her own description) kind of an uppity snot. She had always seen Mike around school and found him kind of annoying.
Flash forward five years, graduation is history and real life is kicking in for these kids. Mike has found a pretty good job and he’s still enjoying his Firebird. Gina is struggling in college and has fallen out of her Dad’s good graces.
On her way to final exams, her car breaks down and she’s standing beside it crying when who pulls up but Mike in his Firebird. He gets her to class and goes back to get her car running. They fell for each other shortly after and he eventually gave up his Firebird to make room in the garage for a family car.
Flash forward again, to today, Mike is sick, struggling with a heart condition and trying to get diabetes under control, too. Gina has decided that one very special thing would add some comfort to his life — having his old Pontiac back, or one like it.
The lady is on a quest to find a 1971 Pontiac Firebird she can buy for her hubby to give him some inspiration in his recovery time. She said even if it’s a project car or some other color, she can get it fixed up to surprise him.
So, because of this site having a classifieds section that specializes in classic cars, she asked if I would share her story and help her find her husband’s dream car.
1971 Pontiac Firebird Specs and History
History of the Firebird
The 1971 Pontiac Firebird Specs are a perfect example of the embodiment of a classic american muscle car. Looking at the options list it is easy to see that the car came with a huge variety of different specifications.
’71 Firebird Engine Options
The ’71 Firebird had a massive list of engine options that you could spec the car with from the factory. For example, you could get the 1971 Pontiac Firebird with an engine as small as a 231cu inch (3.8L) V-6 up to a 455cu inch (7.5L) V-8.
These engines gave the 1971 Pontiac Firebird power ranging from 155 horsepower to 335 horsepower.
Total Production Run for the ’71 Firebird
In 1971 there were a total of 53,125 total firebirds produced with most being V8s. Only 2,975 of the 1971 models were 6 cylinder versions.
Tranny Options for the Firebird in 1971
This had 5 different transmission options which included a 3-speed, 4-speed, 3-speed turbo, heavy duty 4-speed, and a H.D. 3-speed.
Interestingly enough the top of the line HO engine included a function Ram Air scoop.
1971 Firebird Performance
The top of the line 1971 Firebird with the 455ci engine which boasted 335bhp could reach a 0-60 time of around 5.9 seconds. The car would hit the quarter mile in 13.9 seconds at 103mph.
’71 Pontiac Firebird Design
The car could be optioned from the factory with 15 different exterior colors and 6 interior colors. This means that the car could in 90 unique configurations straight from the Pontiac Factory.
Interested in Buying or Selling a 1971 Pontiac Firebird?
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