1981 Firebird Interesting Facts
The New Bird on the Fuel Filler Door
1981 Firebirds can be recognized by the one year only silver or gold bird decal on the fuel filler door. This was a special molded door panel. With
this edition to the tail lamp the bird decal that adorned the rear spoilers in previous years was dropped.
The California Turbo 4.9
Thanks to the miracle of electronic wizardry the Turbo 4.9 engine was now made available in California.
This was probably the most powerful Trans Am available in California since 1976. With the addition of GM's new Computer Command Control
module the LU8 Turbo V8 was able to meet California's strict emissions laws.
Standard 4.9 Liter
The W72 option for the 301 cid 4 bbl engine was dropped but the standard L37 301 for 1981 now made 150hp, 10 more than the 1980
L37 but 5 less than the W72.
The LG4 5.0 Liter 4 speed
The shift for yourself crowd was pleased this year since a Trans Am or Formula could once again be had with a 4 speed.
The Pontiac purists were displeased because the only way to get the four speed was by mating to a Chevrolet-built small block
305 (5.0 Liter) V-8. This was the start of things to come since 1982 would be available only with the 5.0 liter engine.
When ordered with the LG4 engine the Trans Am hood scoop received call out decals announcing 5.0 LITRE. The LG4 305 cid
engine was available only with the 4 speed in 1981 in the U.S> but we have recently discovered that many were built in Canada
mated with the MX1 Automatic transmission. Interestingly the Camaro Z28 also received this engine for its 4 speed
version since its 350 cid engine was available with an automatic only.
The V-6 Formula
A Pontiac Car Distribution Bulletin dated October 21 announced that effective October 1, 1980 the standard engine in Formula would
be the LD5 3.8 Liter V-6 engine. This engine would be available with an automatic transmission only. The Rally Gauge Cluster and Clock,
UPC W63 was removed from the Formula standard options list because these gauges were not available with the V-6 engine.
Due to the changes in the dashboard without the W63 Gauges the V-6 Formula would receive a simulated wood grain dash appliqué.
The V-8 Formulas would continue to carry the engine turned aluminum dash appliqué.
The Daytona Pace Car Trans Am Edition
Another pace car edition debuted for 1981 following the 1980 Indianapolis Pace Car. This time the Daytona 500 Limited Edition
Pace car would take center stage decked out again in White with a special black hood bird, black accents on the bumpers, roof,
and A pillars. Again the Turbo 4.9 powered this pace car. Inside sported a black and red two-toned interior with Recaro seats.
This was the first Trans Am to have seats that offered a rake adjustment and race style lumbar support. This Trans Am truly was
a limited edition with only 2000 made.
Skybirds, Redbirds, or Yellowbirds
For 1981 there were no special edition Esprits. The Skybirds, Redbirds, and Yellowbirds were now a memory.
New Birds and Decals
The hood and sail panel birds were redesigned for 1981 using a new two color scheme and the Trans Am Fender/spoiler callouts
were redesigned to match. The disco era was coming to an end and these decals were less audacious than their predecessors.
Some might claim more tasteful. Five different colors were offered: Red, Gold, Silver, Blue, and Orange in both standard and
turbo versions. With 14 car colors on the palette and 5 different birds the Trans Am offered diversity beyond any other car with
70 different exterior color/decal combinations available. The limited edition Daytona Pace Car had a unique black turbo bird.
Early versions of the Gold and Orange birds were a lighter shade than later versions to make them more visible on certain color cars.
See the
Exterior colors page form more information. The Trans Am rear spoiler call out decal was much smaller than previous,
again giving the car a more sophisticated appearance.
Formula Changes
The two tone color combination for the standard Formula was dropped in 1981 and all standard Formulas came with monotone paint and body color scoops and lower. Because the standard Formula did not have two tone paint anymore the W50 Formula Appearance Package added it causing the price to increase from $100 in 1980 to $212 in 1981. The W50 Formula Appearance package continued mostly unaltered. The Formula decals for the W50 Formula Appearance Package were unchanged even though the Trans Am decals were all redesigned, with the large FORMULA decal on the spoiler in four colors and multicolored tape stripes separating upper and lower body colors. The sail panel bird was the new two color design, however. The W50 package was offered on only seven exterior colors this year: Orange Metallic, Dark Charcoal Metallic, White, Silver Metallic, Dark Blue Metallic, Black, and Dark Maroon Metallic. The rear spoiler once again returned to the Formula's list of standard options.
New Cloth Standard Interiors
The Millport cloth material was introduced for 1981 optional for the standard interior replacing the Strada cloth inserts introduced late in the 1980 model year. This textured cloth was available in Blue or Camel Tan.
New Custom Cloth Interior
Although the seat style remained the same new fabric, called Pimlico cloth, was offered for the cloth interior option. This fabric replaced the previous hobnail fabric and featured monotone colors with vertical ribs providing an elegant texture. Interestingly in the cloth material a Beige interior could be specified in addition to the Camel Tan cloth interior. The Beige was a step lighter in color but it is difficult to tell looking at the cars which is which unless they are side by side.
Turbo Cast Aluminum Wheels
The Turbo Cast aluminum wheel now became a regular option for the Esprit, Formula, and Trans Am and did not require the Turbo 4.9 engine or the WS6 Performance Package as it did in 1980. This was actually a new wheel with a width of 7.5 inches. The WS6 Turbo Cast wheel was still available in 8 inch width on Formula and Trans Am with the LU8 Turbocharged engine or the Y84 Black Special Edition when coupled with the WS6 option.
Trans Am Limited Slip Differential
The second generation Trans Am always had the G80 Limited Slip Differential standard until this year. The Limited Slip Differential was included with the WS6 Performance Package if the Trans Am was so ordered.