Pontiac’s Firebird is arguably the brand’s most famous model. Produced over four generations between 1967 and 2002, the Firebird has gained cult classic status. Sometimes known as a Trans Am, the Trans Am package was in fact a specialty package for the Firebird. The third generation ran between 1982 and 1992 and is most famous as being the basis for the hero car of Knight Rider - KITT, as well as his evil arch-nemesis KARR. If you’d like to own a Firebird from this hallowed generation, here’s a nice 1989 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am from Florida with 28,232 that’s reportedly owned and maintained by a mechanic with 30 years of experience.

Exterior and Interior

The third generation saw edgier and sharper styling in line with the Eighties styling trends. The windshield was set at a steep 62 degree angle, which was the steepest attempted by any GM product at the time. Electronically-controlled pop-up headlamps made an appearance, and the front bumper sported the ‘V’ shape that is all-the-more pronounced in the Knight Rider cars. Whilst this 1989 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am may is not in the iconic black, it sports a very eye-catching Flame Red Metallic paint job that glistens in the sunshine. It rolls on 16-inch gold and silver alloy wheels wrapped in 245-section BF Goodrich tires which are reportedly no more than a year and a half old, and have all of 30 miles on them. Round the rear, you find the decklid spoiler and the Pontiac ‘Screaming Chicken’ motif between the tail lamps. Climb aboard and you are greeted by the all-original Saddle and Black interior, featuring Saddle Brown leather seating for four, although the rears are better suited for children. The gauge pod featuring the tacho, 140mph speedo and auxiliary gauges faces the driver, as does a four-spoke steering wheel with button controls for the radio, which is a nice Eighties Delco unit that also offers an auto-reverse cassette tape player and five-band equalizer. The AC is reported to be functioning as well.

Engine

The third generation Firebird could be had with a range of V6 and V8 engines, but the emission control regulations at the start of the decade seriously strangled the early engines. By the mid to late Eighties, power was on the way back up. This 1989 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am packs a 350ci (5.7L) V8 engine with fuel injection that puts out around 235hp and 330lb-ft of torque to the rear wheels via a four-speed THM 700R4 automatic transmission. Braking is via discs on all wheels. The seller reports that it’s had a new exhaust, new belts and all fluids have been replaced. The catalytic convertor has been removed but will be included in the sale.