1997 Pontiac Firebird Car

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Specifications

• Model: 1997 Pontiac Firebird Formula
• Body Style: 2dr Convertible
• Engine: 8-cyl. 350cid/285hp SFI
• Publication Date: 07/22/2024

Product Information

The 1997 Pontiac Firebird Formula is a classic vehicle known for
its performance and style. With multiple body styles, engine
options, and trim packages, it offers a thrilling driving
experience with a touch of nostalgia.

Body Styles

• 2dr Convertible
• 2dr Coupe

Engine Types

8-cyl. 350cid/285hp SFI

Equipment

Standard Equipment: 4 Speed Automatic, AM/FM
CASS, Air Conditioning, All Wheel Dual Front Air Bag/Active Belts,
Pass Key, Power Brakes, Power Steering, Power Windows, Tilt
Steering Wheel

Optional Equipment: 6 Speed Manual, AM/FM CD,
Removable Panels

Additional Info

• Drive Type: RWD
• Front Tire Size: 16R235
• Manufacturer MSRP: $26,454
• Market Segmentation: Mid Size Sport
• Shipping Weight: 3,519 lbs
• Wheel Base Longest – Inches: 101.1
• Wheel Base Shortest – Inches: 101.1

Product Usage Instructions

Condition Classification

The vehicle valuation report categorizes the condition of the
car into four classes: Concours, Excellent, Good, and Fair. Each
class represents the overall state and maintenance level of the
vehicle.

#1. Concours

1 vehicles are in pristine condition with impeccable

cleanliness and top-notch maintenance. They are considered the best
in the world.

#2. Excellent

2 vehicles are well-maintained and could win local shows. They

exhibit minor flaws but are overall in excellent condition.

#3. Good

3 vehicles run well but are not used for daily transportation.

They may have some incorrect parts but generally appear visually
flawless.

#4. Fair

4 vehicles are daily drivers with visible flaws like minor

dents or imperfections. They are suitable for regular use but may
require some restoration work.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: What is the highest sale price recorded for a Pontiac

Firebird?

A: The highest sale price recorded for a Pontiac Firebird was
$121,000.

Q: What equipment comes as standard in the 1997 Pontiac

Firebird Formula?

A: Standard equipment includes a 4 Speed Automatic transmission,
AM/FM CASS radio, Air Conditioning, All Wheel Dual Front Air
Bag/Active Belts, Pass Key, Power Brakes, Power Steering, Power
Windows, and Tilt Steering Wheel.

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Vehicle Valuation Report

1997 Pontiac Firebird Formula
2dr Convertible 8-cyl. 350cid/285hp SFI

1 Concours condition

$28,300
+150.4%

2 Excellent condition

$21,100
+142.5%

3 Good condition

$15,000*
+111.3%

4 Fair condition

$11,900
+138%

Value adjustments
-10% for auto trans.
Model description
As it turns out, the fourth generation Firebird would also be the last one. Discontinued along with the Camaro after 2002, the Firebird did not share in the Chevy’s resurrection at the end of the decade, so it and the GTO were the last in a long line of Pontiac performance that goes way back to the very beginning of American muscle. When introduced in 1993, the fourth generation Firebird was mostly all new. Base models got a V-6, while Formula and Trans Am models got the 5.7-liter LT1 V-8 similar to the one introduced in the 1992 Corvette, albeit with more restrictive intake and exhaust. This was coupled to a standard Borg Warner 6-speed manual, although a 4-speed automatic was a popular option. The V-8 cars rode on 16-inch wheels and in 1995 the Trans Am got Z-rated tires. For 1996, the LT1 was up to 285 hp thanks to a new dual catalytic converter system, and there was also the desirable WS6 performance package, which added a “Ram Air” hood, different tailpipes, tighter suspension and available Bilstein shocks. Under the hood, the WS6 raised performance with 305 hp and 335 lb-ft of torque, up from 325 lb-ft. For 1997, the WS6 option was extended to convertible models. The WS6 became an increasingly popular options package, and by the end of the production run, Pontiac was building more WS6 cars than standard Trans Ams. Manual transmissions also got more and more popular, as early cars were largely automatics but 6-speeds became more common as the years went on. The biggest visual update for the fourth generation Firebird came with a 1998 facelift that included a new hood and front fascia. More importantly, though, the Firebird and Camaro this year gained the LS1 V-8 from the C5 Corvette, which was lighter, more powerful and more tunable than the LT-series V-8s that it replaced. For 2000, a Hurst shifter for manual cars and a power steering cooler were added to the options list.
*Please note: All prices shown here are based on various data sources, as detailed in About Our Prices. For all Hagerty clients: The values shown do not imply coverage in this amount. In the event of a claim, the Guaranteed Value(s)® on your policy declarations page is the amount your vehicle(s) is covered for, even if the value displayed here is different. If you would like to discuss your policy, please call us at 877-922-3391.

Publication Date: 07/22/2024

1

Vehicle Valuation Report

A 2000 Motor Trend test of a WS6 Trans Am found that the car could do 0-60 mph in five seconds flat, the quarter-mile in 13.5 seconds and 0.84 g on the skidpad, matching or beating the equivalent Camaro SS and doing it with a “perfect ’60s exhaust note that’s equal parts Woodward Avenue and Daytona 500.”
Throughout the fourth generation Firebird’s production run, there were several special editions. The Trans Am GT was a 1994-only model that had Z-rated tires and a 155-mph speedometer, but the 1994 model year also introduced a 25th anniversary model with white paint with a dark blue stripe to look like the 1970 Trans Am. 1999 then introduced a 30th anniversary model that was white with two dark blue stripes and had blue alloy wheels and a white leather interior. It was available on either the WS6 convertible or T-top coupe. The most eye-catching Firebird of this generation was probably the 2002 collector’s edition, which was a WS6 car with bright yellow paint with black accent stripes and black alloy wheels.
There was also the special-edition Firehawk, produced by SLP Engineering but sold at Pontiac dealers. These cars had more power and better suspension, and today are fairly hard to find. From 1993-97, all Firehawks were based on Firebird Formulas, while from 1999 the Firehawk could be had as a Formula or a Trans Am. There were no 1998 Firehawks. The most desirable SLP Firehawk from a collectability standpoint would be one of the 29 1997 models equipped with the LT4 V-8 out of the Corvette Grand Sport, but any Firehawk would be considered a real find. Like Camaros and Corvettes, Firebirds have long represented a lot of speed per dollar. Many have therefore been modified, driven hard and racked up a lot of miles. Other than quite reliable mechanicals, general build quality is also to the typical standard of 1990s General Motors, meaning that squeaks and rattles are almost a given in the interior.
In many ways, though, the fourth generation Firebird is like a Corvette that costs less and has four seats. It also arguably looks a lot more exciting than the equivalent Camaro, and with numerous engine and gearbox options, paint colors, trim packages and special editions as well as coupe, convertible and T-top body styles, there is a lot of choice as well.

Body styles
2dr Convertible

2dr Coupe

Engine types 8-cyl. 350cid/285hp SFI

1993-2002 Pontiac Firebird stats

Highest sale
$121,000

Most recent sale
$35,700

Sales
1361

Equipment
Standard Equipment
4 Speed Automatic AM/FM CASS Air Conditioning All Wheel Dual Front Air Bag/Active Belts Pass Key Power Brakes Power Steering Power Windows Tilt Steering Wheel

Optional Equipment
6 Speed Manual AM/FM CD Removable Panels

Additional Info
Drive Type: RWD Front Tire Size Code: 40 Front Tire Size: 16R235 Manufacturer Code: C137 Manufacturer MSRP: 26454 Market Segmentation: Mid Size Sport Shipping Weight: 3519 Wheel Base Longest – Inches: 101.1 Wheel Base Shortest – Inches: 101.1

Publication Date: 07/22/2024

2

Vehicle Valuation Report

Vehicle’s condition classification

1. Concours

1 vehicles are the best in the world. Imagine the best vehicle, in the right

colors, driving onto the lawn at the finest concours. Perfectly clean, the vehicle has been groomed down to the tire treads. Painted and chromed surfaces are mirror-like. Dust and dirt are banned, and materials used are correct and superbly fitted.

2. Excellent

2 vehicles could win a local or regional show. They might even be former #1

vehicles that have been driven or have aged. Seasoned observers will have to look closely for flaws but will be able to find some. The paint, chrome, glass and finishes will all appear as excellent. The vehicle drives as a new vehicle of its era would.

3. Good

3 vehicles drive and run well but are not used for daily transportation. The

casual passerby will not find any visual flaws, but these vehicles might have some incorrect parts. #3 vehicles could possess some, but not all, of the issues of a #4 vehicle, but they will be balanced by other factors such as fresh paint or a new, correct interior.

4. Fair

4 vehicles are daily drivers, with flaws visible to the naked eye. The chrome

might have pitting, the windshield might be chipped and perhaps the body has a minor dent. Imperfect paintwork, split seams or a cracked dash might be present. No major parts are missing, but there might be non-stock additions. A

4 vehicle can also be a deteriorated restoration.

Publication Date: 07/22/2024

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