The “first generation” Pontiac Firebirds were produced at the Lordstown, Ohio, assembly plant (V.I.N. code U, date plate code LOR) in 1967-69; the Norwood, Ohio, assembly plant (V.I.N. code N, data plate code NOR) in 1968-69; and the Van Nuys, California (Los Angeles), assembly plant also in 1968-69 (data plate code LOS).

The “second generation” Firebirds were produced at the Norwood, Ohio, assembly plant (V.I.N. code N, data plate code NOR), and at the Van Nuys, California, assembly plant (V.I.N. code L, data plate code BL or L). Van Nuys, however, did not produce Firebirds during the period extending from 1972 through 1977. Firebird V.I.N.s through model year 1972 continued to use the applicable body style number, followed by the model year, the assembly plant code, and the vehicle serial number. Data plate code systems varied by assembly plant. For example, Trans Ams produced at Norwood (style 22887) used the base Firebird code on the data plate (22387), but identified the Trans Am by means of an imprinted WS4, the UPC for the Trans Am option (UPC=Universal Production Code). Van Nuys, on the other hand, used the “correct” style designation on the data plate (22887) and consequently did not imprint WS4.

Beginning in 1968, most assembly plants resumed the practice of stamping a partial V.I.N. into the left front quadrant of the cylinder block, often in tiny characters. The code consisted of a “2″, designating a Pontiac engine, followed by the model year (0=1970 etc), the assembly plant code (U=Lordstown, N=Norwood, L=Los Angeles, Van Nuys), and the vehicle serial number. Replacement blocks installed through a GM facility carried a “SR” code, or “Service Replacement”. Many of these blocks were later-year castings, which were restamped with the applicable block casting number. These blocks will not have V.I.N. codes or motor unit numbers.

Year
1970
1971
1972
1973
1974
1975
1976
1977
1978
1979
1980
1981

Firebird
18,874
23,021
12,000
14,096
26,372
22,293
21,209
30,642
32,672
38,642
29,811
20,541

Esprit
18,961
20,185
11,415
17,249
22,583
20,826
22,252
34,548
36,926
30,853
17,277
10,938

Formula
7,708
7,802
5,250
10,166
14,519
13,670
20,613
21,801
24,346
24,851
9,356
5,927

Trans Am
3,196
2,116
1,286
4,802
10,255
27,274
46,701
68,745
93,341
117,108
50,896
33,493

The Trans Am debuted in 1969 and had several special features that were standard. 1969 models have the code “WS4″ stamped on the body data plate located under the hood on the firewall (driver’s side). Posi-traction rear axles were always standard on Trans Am models. Power steering, disc brakes, rear spoilers, and on 1970-81 models either a shaker or Turbo-style hood was standard. 1970-78 models either had a 400 or 455 V8 as standard equipment. 1970-81 models all had 15″ wheels as standard equipment.

Application:
1969 Coupe Ram Air III
1969 Convertible Ram Air III
1969 Coupe Ram Air IV
Total 1969 Production:

1970 Ram Air III
1970 Ram Air IV
Total 1970 Production:

1971 455 HO
Total 1971 Production:

1972 455 HO
Total 1972 Production:

1973 455
1973 SD-455
Total 1973 Production:

1974 400
1974 455
1974 SD-455
Total 1974 Production:

1975 400
1975 455 HO
Total 1975 Production:

1976 400
1976 L.E. 400
1976 L.E. 400 T-top
1976 455 HO
1976 S.E. 455 HO
1976 L.E. 455 T-top
Total 1976 Production:

1977 L78
1977 L80
1977 W72
1977 S.E. L78
1977 S.E. L80
1977 S.E. W72
1977 S.E. L78 T-top
1977 S.E. L80 T-top
1977 S.E. W72 T-top
Total 1977 Production:

1978 L78
1978 L80
1978 W72
1978 Y82 S.E. L78
1978 Y82 S.E. W72
1978 Y84 S.E. L78
1978 Y84 S.E. L80
1978 Y84 S.E. W72
1978 Y88 S.E. L78
1978 Y88 S.E. L80
1978 Y88 S.E. W72
Total 1978 Production:
There were 12,692 M/T W72 cars
built and 70,590 A/T 400 c.i.d.
(L78 and W72) units built in 1978. 

1979 301
1979 403
1979 400
1979 301 T-top
1979 403 T-top
1979 400 T-top
1979 S.E. 301
1979 S.E. 403
1979 S.E. 400
1979 10th Anniv. 403
1979 10th Anniv. 400
Total 1979 Production:

1980 301
1980 305
1980 301 Turbo
1980 301 T-top
1980 305 T-top
1980 301 Turbo T-top
1980 S.E. 301
1980 S.E. 305
1980 S.E. 301 Turbo
1980 S.E. 301 T-top
1980 S.E. 305 T-top
1980 S.E. Turbo T-top
1980 Indy Pace Car Turbo
Total 1980 Production:

1981 301
1981 305
1981 301 Turbo
1981 301 T-top
1981 305 T-top
1981 301 Turbo T-top
1981 S.E. 301
1981 S.E. 305
1981 S.E. 301 Turbo
1981 S.E. 301 T-top
1981 S.E. 305 T-top
1981 S.E. 301 Turbo T-top
1981 Pace Car Turbo
Total 1981 Production:
All 70-81 models are hardtop coupes.
L.E. is for Limited Edition.
S.E. is for Special Edition.

 

 

 

 

Manual
520
4
46 

1,769
59

885

458

1,420
72

1,750

212

6,140
857

???
???
???
7,099
319
110

8,319

384

2,699

???

489

20

1,267

1,590

2,485
1,530

2,917
213

1,107

1,817

2,866

3,225

15

932

 

 

 

 

 

Automatic
114
4
9 

1,339
29

1,231

828

3,130
180

2,914
4,648
731

20,277

???
???
???

29,313
5,079
10,466
748
180
549
6,030
1,217
3,760

???
8,969
???
???
2,856
???
210
68
???
880
6,519

7,015
48,488

3,301
30,728

360
9,874

5,683

14,866
1,635
5,753
8,692
896
7,176
72
12
103
2,084
463
3,444
5,700

5,087

3,851
4,589

6,612
41
0
65
1,160

3,050
2,000

 

 

 

 

 

Total
634
8
55
697

3,108
88
3,196

2,116
2,116

1,286
1,286

4,550
252
4,802

4,664
4,648
943
10,255

26,417
857
27,274

37,015
1,628
533
7,099
319
110
46,701

29,313
5,079
18,785
748
180
933
6,030
1,217
6,459
68,745

???
8,969
???
???
3,345
???
210
88
???
880
7,786
93,341
 

8,605
48,488
2,485
4,831
30,728
2,917
573
9,874
1,107
5,683
1,817
117,108

14,866
1,635
5,753
8,692
896
7,176
72
12
103
2,084
463
3,444
5,700
50,896

5,087
2,866
3,851
4,589
3,225
6,612
41
15
65
1,160
932
3,050
2,000
33,493