2002 Pontiac Firebird Firehawk

Description

In the late '90s, the Firebird Firehawk was a pretty big deal; in fact, it had its own racing series. This 2002 Pontiac Firebird Firehawk is a continuation of that successful formula: more performance, less cost. Today, Firehawks remain a desirable piece of muscle that will surely find a spot in future collectors' garages.

There weren't many more aggressive-looking cars in the early 2000s than the Pontiac Firebird, and the guys who built the Firehawk (SLP, by the way) didn't see the need to change that. They were the guys who invented modern ram-air systems for GM, so it's natural that this F-body would have twin nostrils on the hood, and then they added a pair of relatively subtle Firehawk decals on the lower doors, plus one little one on the tail, but that's about it. This one, painted lovely Pewter metallic, actually has an awesome contrast of subtle and outrageous that really works. It's in excellent condition, which isn't a surprise given the 24,312 original miles on the car, and someone has clearly spent their weekends keeping the paint well waxed. Tinted windows give it an extra aggressive look and there's something about that Pewter paint that makes the red taillights and brake calipers really pop.

The Firehawk was based on the Firebird, not the Trans Am, and that's actually a smart choice because you get the same deeply bolstered bucket seats, but these are wrapped in grippy gray cloth instead of slippery leather. For a car designed to go fast, it's the right choice. It's also in excellent condition inside, with very few signs of wear, including the driver's seat which looks almost new. Of course, the Firebird was hardly stripped-down, and includes such niceties as A/C, power windows, locks, mirrors, and seat, and a full set of gauges that are big and easy to read. This car has been augmented with a thumping Alpine and JL Audio entertainment system that cost more than $1700 all by itself and sounds spectacular. There are also T-tops overhead, a trick aluminum shifter knob for the 4-speed automatic overdrive transmission, and a pair of pseudo buckets for back seat passengers. It's a nice package.

GM's mighty LS1 was standard equipment in V8 Firebirds by 2002, and despite GM's protests to the contrary, it's pretty obvious that it was making Corvette-level horsepower. The SLP guys added a few extra ponies thanks to the ram air induction system up front and a throatier exhaust system, but when your engine runs so well and pushes the car into the 13s without working too hard, why mess with it? This one has been professionally tuned, so it's making every horsepower it can, yet it retains OEM levels of drivability. The engine bay remains entirely stock save for a Hotchkis strut tower brace that sharpens up the steering a bit, SLP put a few little markers here and there to let you know this is a special F-body, and, of course, it lights off easily and idles smoothly, just as the GM engineers intended. Being linked to the automatic gearbox is no handicap here, because it snaps off rifle-shot shifts and drops a gear or two with a prod from your right foot, so it's simply a matter of stomp and steer. The underside is shockingly clean, and with so few miles, even the original (and expensive) DeCarbon shocks are in place and totally healthy. Chrome 5-spoke wheels add a little flash and are wrapped in recent BFGoodrich rubber.

Heavily documented with the original window sticker, SLP paperwork, factory build sheet, dyno sheet, and maintenance records, this is a car that remains a blast to drive today and will surely appreciate tomorrow. Call now!