Firebird Re-birth?

I've heard rumors of a new Muscle car based on the Camaro platform for Pontiac. Well with Ford's Mustang, Dodge's Challenger, and Chevy's Camaro in the works; Pontiac can't really afford not to have a RWD powerhouse in their line-up. Does anyone here think they will bring back the Firebird? I've heard that it will either be a GTO sporting the Zeta body platform or possibly a new Firebird. Anyone here have any input? Anyways, I just can't imagine having a Camaro without a Firebird...it's like yin and yang...you gotta have both of them.

Im pretty sure the bird will not come back. Especially with some licensing issue with the "Trans Am" name. The GTO will be coming back though ;)

Yeah, the GTO will come back. But with GM all tied up in their HUGE Camaro launch, there is no time for a Firebird comeback just yet. I think GM is trying to concentrate all avaliable resources on the Camaro. This is almost do-or-die for GM and they need to be able to make the Camaro work. If it goes well, Pontiac may come up with something later to match it. But GM is focused on matching and overtaking Ford's success on the new mustang.

No plans on bringing the birds back at this time.

my bother e-mail Pontiac just today

The new camaro looks amazing. I dont really like the current one, the new has the old muscle car look.

I never got that licensing issue they have with the "Trans-Am" name. Why can't they just call it a Firebird and a "T/A" for the V8 models? T/A can stand for whatever they want to avoid licensing conflicts...unless the T/A itslef is covered too. There is always the Formula and Firehawk name too...just dump the "Trans-Am" name if its an issue...I think its more like what someone said above already. They can't afford to put out two half assed projects and flop where Ford and Dodge did a decent production line...it would end GM.

http://highperformancepontiac.com/hotnews/hppp_0607_2009_trans_am_concept_z.jpg (http://javascript<b></b>:Zoom('http://highperformancepontiac.com/hotnews/hppp_0607_2009_trans_am_concept_z.jpg',640,480))

GTO

http://a332.g.akamai.net/f/332/936/12h/www.edmunds.com/media/reviews/generations/pontiac.gto/1999.pontiac.conceptgto.500.jpg
http://www.conceptcars.it/usa/gto1.jpg
http://www.welovepontiacs.com/concept_cars/concept_2008_gto3.jpg

Those GTO concepts look hideous! Nothing too retro about those.
That firebird drawing, on the other hand, looks pretty sweet. BUt that won't even get a nod from GM for at least another 5 years.

Those GTO concepts look hideous! Nothing too retro about those.:iagree: but someone mentioned the new GTO and this is the concept so....


That firebird drawing, on the other hand, looks pretty sweet. BUt that won't even get a nod from GM for at least another 5 years.I was thinking the same thing. Looks pretty sweet but isnt going to get approved for awhile.

I never got that licensing issue they have with the "Trans-Am" name. Why can't they just call it a Firebird and a "T/A" for the V8 models? T/A can stand for whatever they want to avoid licensing conflicts...unless the T/A itslef is covered too. There is always the Formula and Firehawk name too...just dump the "Trans-Am" name if its an issue...I think its more like what someone said above already.

Actually, the trademark issues GM has are with both the Formula and Trans Am. The name Formula was used from the Formula 1 race series and the name Trans Am was used from the Trans-Am race series. I believe the matter has something to do with GM having a license to use those names (Which could possibly include the abbrevaited "T/A") from the race series and with the license, it probably has in it that the St. Therese plant in Canada would build those models. It's got to be something along those lines. But as far as I know, the name Firebird and Firehawk is free and clear to use. If they do bring the Firebird back sometime in the future, they would probably wait until the license expires so they can reproduce those models, or just rename the higher end models.

Also, those GTO concepts are back from 1998 I believe, those were created way before the current GTO that's out now.

Also, those GTO concepts are back from 1998 I believe, those were created way before the current GTO that's out now.

That makes more sense, or else GM took a HUGE leap back on the styling of the GTO. I think they need to seriously look at the roots of the GTO for it to make a comeback. The camaro, on the other hand, can have a retro look with a contemporary and modern feel. I think that's what people are looking for in the new Maro, but I don't feel the same way for the GTO. Seeing that it's already been out for 3 model years, the people are going to expect big changes for that one.

I've heard rumors of a new Muscle car based on the Camaro platform for Pontiac. Well with Ford's Mustang, Dodge's Challenger, and Chevy's Camaro in the works; Pontiac can't really afford not to have a RWD powerhouse in their line-up. Does anyone here think they will bring back the Firebird? I've heard that it will either be a GTO sporting the Zeta body platform or possibly a new Firebird. Anyone here have any input? Anyways, I just can't imagine having a Camaro without a Firebird...it's like yin and yang...you gotta have both of them.


Right now Pontiac has the GTO. Thats enough for me, but obviously by popular opinion I might be standing in a small group on that one. They are quite strong and handle very well, wich cannot be denied. Although the popularity of the zeta platform GTO's isnt strong, with the low production numbers they have the value of them might hang out for a bit.

The Camaro has already been given the thumbs up from GM. However they do not plan to produce any Firebirds at current time. This is according to a two month old motor trend mag.

According to a good friend of mine who currently owns a 2006 Grand Prix GXP, GM's Pontiac division has plans to reintroduce a RWD V-8 platform Grand Prix under the GXP badge. The 06 Grand Prix GXP is the first Grand Prix in a long time to have a v-8. Im sure if they change platforms on the Grand Prix's, they will get zeta or similar.

I also found these pictures of the GTO Judge

http://www.gtoforum.com/photopost/direct_data/516/medium/68Da_Judge.jpg (http://www.gtoforum.com/photopost/showphoto.php/photo/204/size/big/cat/516)

http://www.gtoforum.com/photopost/direct_data/516/medium/68Concept_Judge.jpg (http://www.gtoforum.com/photopost/showphoto.php/photo/203/size/big/cat/516)

Not too bad. Again, don't like the body design, but lovin' the styling. Good accents and smooth lines. Rims are damn nice...but the side exit tips need to be BEFORE the rear tires, not after. They might as well take them all the way back if they are going to do that. Good pics.

^Really? I think that car looks pretty damn sweet!! The only thing I think looks awful is that exhaust. It just doesnt look right how its like pointing down and looks like it going to fall off lol. Like you said if there going to go that route with the exhaust then they definatley need to have it exit in front of the wheels.



*EDIT* here is one more picture of the "Ultimate GTO'' looks like good retro styling IMO.
http://ultimategto.com/2004/04_00107_3.jpg
http://ultimategto.com/2004/04_00129_6.jpg

Ahhh....I hate that first one. It looks like a cross between the Batmobile and a Cadillac.

The second one, on the other hand, looks sweet. Not a big fan of convertibles or that front end again...but I like it. They need to avoid the general Grand Am/Grand Prix/G6 look. Its not as bad as the 04-06 models though.

The GTO's are all around nice. They look nice i dont see what everyones problem is with how they look. The GP GXP's look good, Solstices, G6's, heck I say Pontiac has some fairly decent looking car models this year.

Other than the Corvette's and GTO's, every car Chevrolet produced this year has soft suspension in direct comparison with the GXP. If you dont believe it go test drive some, its not at all hard to tell wich one has the best suspension. The GXP's come with a g-force calculator or whatever its called. With him and I in his car, he pulled over 1G hitting the brakes, and 1G going around a corner and could prove it, cause the dashboard saw the whole thing. And the car is a 4 door FWD!! According to him, The GXP's can outrun a stock 300HP Mustang GT. Not starting a debate, just stating a fact.

But the GTO's are hella nice.

Inside...


http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y18/hotrod_chevyz/gto05optionalredinterior.jpg

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y18/hotrod_chevyz/gto05optionalredinterior2.jpg

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y18/hotrod_chevyz/gto6speed.jpg

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y18/hotrod_chevyz/05_00097_4.jpg

>and out

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y18/hotrod_chevyz/gtoblackrear.jpg

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y18/hotrod_chevyz/gto05promotionalpicture.jpg

Heres two pics of one in torrid red i caught in a parking lot.

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y18/hotrod_chevyz/Picture41-1.jpg

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y18/hotrod_chevyz/Picture2b.jpg

Yeah....Tell me this car dont look gooood.

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y18/hotrod_chevyz/gto05phantomblackwithcustom18inchwh.jpg

Heres a 05 GTO with a 455 under the hood, and a shaker hood.

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y18/hotrod_chevyz/2005Shaker455.jpg


heres a concept race car, wich was later released.

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y18/hotrod_chevyz/05gtoracecarconceptlaterreleased_2.jpg

Check out the judge..
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y18/hotrod_chevyz/gto05bracketcar.jpg

Yeah we all know that the GTO is a good looking car there wasnt really any argument there. That black on black GTO though is hella tight!! :boink:

I didn't think the 05-06's were actually ram air, I though it was a non-functional hood.

But I still think that the front end looks like the grand-prix and G6's.

G6:
http://www.motoweb.pl/tapety/pictures/normal/pontiac_g6_2006_1d.jpg

GTO:
http://www.motordesktop.com/wallpaper/sportscars/Pontiac%20GTO%202004%20-%201024x768.jpg

This thread is funny.


Firebird is DEAD.
Sadly....of course.

But it simply is NOT coming back. General Motors retired the namesake. At the same time, they did not retire the Camaro namesake.
And guess what we are seeing a comeback from???? The name not retired...the Camaro.

The orange GTO is not the judge version. It is an aftermarket car.
Any and all renderings of the 'new' Firebird or GTO are just that.....computer generated images.

While I would love a new Firebird/Trans Am/Formula....I just don't see it happening.

The orange GTO is not the judge version. It is an aftermarket car.
Any and all renderings of the 'new' Firebird or GTO are just that.....computer generated images.

While I would love a new Firebird/Trans Am/Formula....I just don't see it happening.Yeah I know its just fun though to look at what would be the future of some of these cars, you know what I mean?

I agree that there will probably not be another firebird anytime soon, although I would love to be proven wrong.
While we are on the topic of the GTO however, did anyone catch this from the latest issue of R&T?

http://f7.yahoofs.com/users/aFkrPH0wZHfF/__sr_/427a.jpg?tkn=ph4kdIFBHWkq.Da1&saveas=2010+GTO

^No I didnt catch that..I dont know if I like it almost looks like a new convertable Maro IMO.