Pontiac Sunbird (1st gen) 1975-1980

The Pontiac Sunbird is a small car manufactured and marketed by Pontiac over two generations.

The first generation was marketed as a subcompact hatchback, wagon and coupe (1976–1980) — as a badge engineered variant of the Chevrolet Monza, which was based on the Chevrolet Vega.
The second generation (1982–1994) was marketed as notchback coupé, sedan, hatchback, station wagon, and convertible as a rebadged variant of General Motors' J-cars and was manufactured alongside the Cadillac Cimarron, Buick Skyhawk, Oldsmobile Firenza, and Chevrolet Cavalier at GM's South Gate Assembly and Janesville Assembly plants.
The Sunbird nameplate ran for 18 years (with a hiatus during the 1981 and 1982 model years, as the 1982 model was marketed as the J2000) and was replaced in 1995 by the Pontiac Sunfire.

[B]First generation (1975-1980)[/B]
The first-generation Pontiac Sunbird is a subcompact, four-passenger automobile introduced in September 1975, and produced for the 1976 through 1980 model years. The first-generation Sunbird is a badge engineered version of the Chevrolet Monza which was derived from the Chevrolet Vega. Built on the H-body platform, its intended competitors were other small sporty two-door vehicles including the Toyota Celica, Datsun 200SX, Mercury Capri, and the Ford Mustang II. It did not share any mechanical relation to the Holden LX Sunbird.

[B]Overview[/B]
The Sunbird has a 97.0-inch (2,460 mm) wheelbase and a 65.4-inch (1,660 mm) width. The first generation Sunbird is a rear-wheel-drive vehicle with a live rear axle design. The standard engine is the Vega aluminum-block 140 CID inline-four. Equipped with a single-barrel carburetor, it generates a peak power output of 78 horsepower (58 kW) at 4,200 rpm. the standard transmission was a four-speed manual, with a five-speed manual and three-speed automatic transmission options. This engine was also available with a two-barrel carburetor that increased peak power to 87 horsepower (65 kW) at 4,400 rpm, as well as Buick's 3.8 L (231 cid) V6 engine rated at 110 horsepower (82 kW) at 4,000 rpm. The front suspension is short and long control arms with coil springs, and anti-roll bar; the rear suspension is a torque-arm design with coil springs and an anti-roll bar. Variable-ratio power steering was standard of a recirculating ball type. The brake system features front disc brakes with vented rotors, and rear drum brakes. Power-assist was standard.

[B]Model year changes[/B]
When the Sunbird was introduced for 1976, it was only available in a notchback coupe body-style shared with the Chevrolet Monza Towne Coupe. For 1977, the hatchback body-style was added. All Sunbirds had a new standard engine: Pontiac's 151 CID "Iron Duke" inline four-cylinder engine using a two-barrel Holley carburetor and generating 90 horsepower (67 kW) at 4,400 rpm. A Formula option was available on coupe, wagon, and hatchback. It includes the handling package, a chrome valve cover, three-piece spoiler, T/A steering wheel, and special body decals. EPA gas mileage rating was 28 MPG city and 34 MPG highway with the five-speed manual, exceptionally good for that era.

For 1978 and 1979, the station wagon from the otherwise discontinued Astre series was added to the Sunbird line. They continued to use the same front fascia as the Astre with Sunbird badging. The 2.3 L engine was simultaneously discontinued.

For the 1978 and 1979 model years, the Chevrolet 5.0 L (305 cid) V8 engine was made optional in the notchback and hatchback (RPO LG3, 481 for 1978 and 986 for 1979), while the Sunbird Safari wagon continued for its final year with a revised vertical styled grill. The 1978 and 1979 engine options included the 305 cu in (5.0 L) V8, 3.8L V6 and a 2.5L I4. Body options included the Firebird Redbird package, Sunbird Formula package, and sunroof. Air conditioning was available as was four-speed manual transmission or three-speed automatic transmission.
1980 was the final production year of the H-bodied Sunbird. By this time the wagon body style and the optional V8 engine were discontinued. The year featured an unusually long production run in order to provide sufficient inventory to carry dealers into the 1981 model year, in anticipation of the Sunbird's replacement.
A total 479,967 H-body Sunbirds were produced in five model years.

[SIZE=1]Source: Wikipedia[/SIZE]

[I]Old Sunbirds, sorry for the quality, I havn't got better. :([/I]

[quote=carweb]Old Sunbirds, sorry for the quality, I havn't got better. :([/quote]
better than nothing, I don't think I've ever seen that car...

[B][I]Pontiac Sunbird Coupe (1980)
Pontiac Sunbird Hatchback (1980)[/I][/B]

[B]Misc Sunbird pics #01[/B]

Pontiac Sunbird (1st gen) #4

Pontiac Sunbird (1st gen) #5