Car Model History

Second generation · Long-running '70½–'81 F-body · 1970–1981

1972Pontiac Firebird

The long, swoopy second-generation F-body — the iconic Firebird era. Home of the screaming-chicken hood decal and the black-and-gold 1977 'Bandit' Trans Am that made the car a pop-culture icon.

Second generation · Long-running '70½–'81 F-body

1972 Pontiac Firebird — exact-model-year car

Photo: “1972 Pontiac Firebird Formula 7.5L V8 3.jpg” by Calreyn88 / Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Cropped to 16:9.

Start here

What do you need to know?

This page covers the whole 1972 Pontiac Firebird model year. Choose your task first; exact trims and engines are separated where the factory offered different versions.

Complete, source-verified lineup

Find your exact 1972 Firebird

Start with a family, body style, or engine. Every card opens the facts and maintenance information for that factory version.

22factory configurations
Verified complete for the U.S.-marketHow this lineup was verified

We checked this U.S.-market lineup against period sources for factory model, body, engine, and transmission combinations represented by the cited exact-year records. Every version shown below has its own detail page.

Verified 2026-09-01 from 1972 Firebird factory engine, transmission, and option records, Pontiac Motor Division — 1972 Pontiac factory prestige brochure.

22versions shown
Two-door rear-wheel-drive hardtop coupe

Firebird Hardtop Coupe — 250 cu in inline-six, 1-barrel, 3-speed column-shift manual

Body
Two-door rear-wheel-drive hardtop coupe
Engine
250 cu in inline-six, 1-barrel
Gearbox
3-speed column-shift manual
Built
Regular production
Open exact version
Two-door rear-wheel-drive hardtop coupe

Firebird Hardtop Coupe — 250 cu in inline-six, 1-barrel, 2-speed Powerglide automatic

Body
Two-door rear-wheel-drive hardtop coupe
Engine
250 cu in inline-six, 1-barrel
Gearbox
2-speed Powerglide automatic
Built
Regular production
Open exact version
Two-door rear-wheel-drive hardtop coupe

Firebird Hardtop Coupe — 250 cu in inline-six, 1-barrel, 3-speed Turbo Hydra-Matic automatic

Body
Two-door rear-wheel-drive hardtop coupe
Engine
250 cu in inline-six, 1-barrel
Gearbox
3-speed Turbo Hydra-Matic automatic
Built
Regular production
Open exact version
Two-door rear-wheel-drive hardtop coupe

Firebird Hardtop Coupe — 350 cu in V8, 2-barrel, 3-speed floor-shift manual

Body
Two-door rear-wheel-drive hardtop coupe
Engine
350 cu in V8, 2-barrel
Gearbox
3-speed floor-shift manual
Built
Regular production
Open exact version
Two-door rear-wheel-drive hardtop coupe

Firebird Hardtop Coupe — 350 cu in V8, 2-barrel, 4-speed wide-ratio manual

Body
Two-door rear-wheel-drive hardtop coupe
Engine
350 cu in V8, 2-barrel
Gearbox
4-speed wide-ratio manual
Built
Regular production
Open exact version
Two-door rear-wheel-drive hardtop coupe

Firebird Hardtop Coupe — 350 cu in V8, 2-barrel, 2-speed Powerglide automatic

Body
Two-door rear-wheel-drive hardtop coupe
Engine
350 cu in V8, 2-barrel
Gearbox
2-speed Powerglide automatic
Built
Regular production
Open exact version
Two-door rear-wheel-drive hardtop coupe

Firebird Hardtop Coupe — 350 cu in V8, 2-barrel, 3-speed Turbo Hydra-Matic automatic

Body
Two-door rear-wheel-drive hardtop coupe
Engine
350 cu in V8, 2-barrel
Gearbox
3-speed Turbo Hydra-Matic automatic
Built
Regular production
Open exact version
Two-door rear-wheel-drive hardtop coupe

Esprit Hardtop Coupe — 350 cu in V8, 2-barrel, 3-speed floor-shift manual

Body
Two-door rear-wheel-drive hardtop coupe
Engine
350 cu in V8, 2-barrel
Gearbox
3-speed floor-shift manual
Built
Regular production
Open exact version
Two-door rear-wheel-drive hardtop coupe

Esprit Hardtop Coupe — 350 cu in V8, 2-barrel, 4-speed wide-ratio manual

Body
Two-door rear-wheel-drive hardtop coupe
Engine
350 cu in V8, 2-barrel
Gearbox
4-speed wide-ratio manual
Built
Regular production
Open exact version
Two-door rear-wheel-drive hardtop coupe

Esprit Hardtop Coupe — 350 cu in V8, 2-barrel, 2-speed Powerglide automatic

Body
Two-door rear-wheel-drive hardtop coupe
Engine
350 cu in V8, 2-barrel
Gearbox
2-speed Powerglide automatic
Built
Regular production
Open exact version
Two-door rear-wheel-drive hardtop coupe

Esprit Hardtop Coupe — 350 cu in V8, 2-barrel, 3-speed Turbo Hydra-Matic automatic

Body
Two-door rear-wheel-drive hardtop coupe
Engine
350 cu in V8, 2-barrel
Gearbox
3-speed Turbo Hydra-Matic automatic
Built
Regular production
Open exact version
Two-door rear-wheel-drive hardtop coupe

Esprit Hardtop Coupe — 400 cu in V8, 2-barrel, 3-speed Turbo Hydra-Matic automatic

Body
Two-door rear-wheel-drive hardtop coupe
Engine
400 cu in V8, 2-barrel
Gearbox
3-speed Turbo Hydra-Matic automatic
Built
Regular production
Open exact version
Two-door rear-wheel-drive hardtop coupe

Formula 350 Hardtop Coupe — 350 cu in V8, 2-barrel, 3-speed floor-shift manual

Body
Two-door rear-wheel-drive hardtop coupe
Engine
350 cu in V8, 2-barrel
Gearbox
3-speed floor-shift manual
Built
Regular production
Open exact version
Two-door rear-wheel-drive hardtop coupe

Formula 350 Hardtop Coupe — 350 cu in V8, 2-barrel, 4-speed wide-ratio manual

Body
Two-door rear-wheel-drive hardtop coupe
Engine
350 cu in V8, 2-barrel
Gearbox
4-speed wide-ratio manual
Built
Regular production
Open exact version
Two-door rear-wheel-drive hardtop coupe

Formula 350 Hardtop Coupe — 350 cu in V8, 2-barrel, 3-speed Turbo Hydra-Matic automatic

Body
Two-door rear-wheel-drive hardtop coupe
Engine
350 cu in V8, 2-barrel
Gearbox
3-speed Turbo Hydra-Matic automatic
Built
Regular production
Open exact version
Two-door rear-wheel-drive hardtop coupe

Formula 400 Hardtop Coupe — 400 cu in V8, 4-barrel, 4-speed wide-ratio manual

Body
Two-door rear-wheel-drive hardtop coupe
Engine
400 cu in V8, 4-barrel
Gearbox
4-speed wide-ratio manual
Built
Regular production
Open exact version
Two-door rear-wheel-drive hardtop coupe

Formula 400 Hardtop Coupe — 400 cu in V8, 4-barrel, 4-speed heavy-duty manual

Body
Two-door rear-wheel-drive hardtop coupe
Engine
400 cu in V8, 4-barrel
Gearbox
4-speed heavy-duty manual
Built
Regular production
Open exact version
Two-door rear-wheel-drive hardtop coupe

Formula 400 Hardtop Coupe — 400 cu in V8, 4-barrel, 3-speed Turbo Hydra-Matic automatic

Body
Two-door rear-wheel-drive hardtop coupe
Engine
400 cu in V8, 4-barrel
Gearbox
3-speed Turbo Hydra-Matic automatic
Built
Regular production
Open exact version
Two-door rear-wheel-drive hardtop coupe

Formula 455 H.O. Hardtop Coupe — 455 cu in H.O. V8, 4-barrel, 4-speed close-ratio manual

Body
Two-door rear-wheel-drive hardtop coupe
Engine
455 cu in H.O. V8, 4-barrel
Gearbox
4-speed close-ratio manual
Built
Regular production
Open exact version
Two-door rear-wheel-drive hardtop coupe

Formula 455 H.O. Hardtop Coupe — 455 cu in H.O. V8, 4-barrel, 3-speed Turbo Hydra-Matic automatic

Body
Two-door rear-wheel-drive hardtop coupe
Engine
455 cu in H.O. V8, 4-barrel
Gearbox
3-speed Turbo Hydra-Matic automatic
Built
Regular production
Open exact version
Two-door rear-wheel-drive hardtop coupe

Trans Am Hardtop Coupe — 455 cu in H.O. V8, 4-barrel, 4-speed close-ratio manual

Body
Two-door rear-wheel-drive hardtop coupe
Engine
455 cu in H.O. V8, 4-barrel
Gearbox
4-speed close-ratio manual
Built
Regular production
Open exact version
Two-door rear-wheel-drive hardtop coupe

Trans Am Hardtop Coupe — 455 cu in H.O. V8, 4-barrel, 3-speed Turbo Hydra-Matic automatic

Body
Two-door rear-wheel-drive hardtop coupe
Engine
455 cu in H.O. V8, 4-barrel
Gearbox
3-speed Turbo Hydra-Matic automatic
Built
Regular production
Open exact version

The 1972 model year

Overview

Pontiac's exact-year factory literature documents 22 1972 Firebird configuration rows across 1 model, body, and powertrain combinations. This second-generation roster keeps Firebird, Esprit, Formula, Trans Am, engine, and transmission applicability within their supported year boundaries.

Specifications

Engines
  • 250 cu in inline-six, 1-barrel
  • 350 cu in V8, 2-barrel
  • 400 cu in V8, 2-barrel
  • 400 cu in V8, 4-barrel
  • 455 cu in H.O. V8, 4-barrel
Transmissions
3-speed column-shift manual, 2-speed Powerglide automatic, 3-speed Turbo Hydra-Matic automatic, 3-speed floor-shift manual, 4-speed wide-ratio manual, 4-speed heavy-duty manual, 4-speed close-ratio manual
Body styles
Two-door rear-wheel-drive hardtop coupe

Year over year

What changed

  • The 1972 record includes only factory-supported model, body, engine, and transmission pairings; appearance groups and neighboring-year combinations are not inferred.

Worth knowing

Notable

  • The documented lineup exposes 22 source-backed combinations while preserving Trans Am and other equipment boundaries instead of multiplying unsupported model pages.

Living with it

Reliability & ownership notes

  • Verify VIN, engine code, transmission, emissions equipment, and build date before ordering parts. Inspect corrosion and prior body repair, cooling and fuel systems, drivetrain originality, weather seals, electrical accessories, and modification quality.

Maintenance & service parts

Keep your 1972 Firebird on the road

Start with the service interval, then match the engine or exact version you own. Order links appear only when a catalog-backed part number is available, and every listing still needs a fitment check.

Service desk

What this car needs & when

Use this as a service-planning checklist for 1972 Pontiac Firebird. Start with the interval, confirm which engine or configuration you have, then use an exact ordering reference when one is verified.

Service topics
11
Factory intervals
11
Fitment-scoped
11
Exact references
1

Before orderingIdentify your engine, options and build date.Part numbers and sizes can change within one model year. Shopping links appear only for catalog-backed references; still verify the listing against your vehicle before ordering.

  • Engine oil

    Sourced interval available

    Applies to: 1972 · United States

    Published interval: 6,000 mi / 4 months · Whichever occurs first; use 3,000 miles or 2 months for severe service.

    Source: Pontiac Motor Division — 1972 Pontiac Service Manual, general lubrication schedule · General Information pages 0-13–0-14 — 6,000-mile/4-month and severe-service rows · checked

  • Engine oil filter

    Exact reference available

    Manufacturer-catalog fitment scoped to the exact engine row in the Firebird application table.

    Applies to: 1972 · United States

    Published interval: 12,000 mi / 8 months · Replace at the first oil change, then at every second oil change.

    Source: Pontiac Motor Division — 1972 Pontiac Service Manual, general lubrication schedule · General Information pages 0-13–0-14 — engine-oil-filter row · checked

    Baldwin B27 cataloged fitment

    This manufacturer application record establishes filter fitment only; it does not alter the separately sourced service schedule.

    Applies to: 1972 · 250 cu in inline-six, 1-barrel · United States · Baldwin's exact 1972 Firebird six-cylinder 250 (4.1L), code D row assigns B27; confirm the engine code and installed filter before ordering.

    Source: Parker/Baldwin Filters — 2025 Automotive Applications catalog · PDF page 942, Pontiac 1972 Firebird six-cylinder 250 (4.1L), code D row — Lube — B27 · checked

    Verified ordering references

    Baldwin B39 cataloged fitment

    This manufacturer application record establishes filter fitment only; it does not alter the separately sourced service schedule.

    Applies to: 1972 · 350 cu in V8, 2-barrel, 350 cu in V8, 4-barrel · United States · Baldwin's exact 1972 Firebird V8-350 (5.7L) carbureted row assigns B39; confirm the engine code and installed filter before ordering.

    Source: Parker/Baldwin Filters — 2025 Automotive Applications catalog · PDF page 942, Pontiac 1972 Firebird V8-350 (5.7L) carbureted row — Lube — B39 · checked

    Verified ordering references

    Baldwin B39 cataloged fitment

    This manufacturer application record establishes filter fitment only; it does not alter the separately sourced service schedule.

    Applies to: 1972 · 400 cu in V8, 2-barrel, 400 cu in V8, 4-barrel, 400 cu in Ram Air V8, 4-barrel · United States · Baldwin's exact 1972 Firebird V8-400 (6.6L) carbureted row assigns B39; confirm the engine code and installed filter before ordering.

    Source: Parker/Baldwin Filters — 2025 Automotive Applications catalog · PDF page 942, Pontiac 1972 Firebird V8-400 (6.6L) carbureted row — Lube — B39 · checked

    Verified ordering references

    Baldwin B39 cataloged fitment

    This manufacturer application record establishes filter fitment only; it does not alter the separately sourced service schedule.

    Applies to: 1972 · 455 cu in H.O. V8, 4-barrel · United States · Baldwin's exact 1972 Firebird V8-455 (7.5L) carbureted row assigns B39; confirm the engine code and installed filter before ordering.

    Source: Parker/Baldwin Filters — 2025 Automotive Applications catalog · PDF page 942, Pontiac 1972 Firebird V8-455 (7.5L) carbureted row — Lube — B39 · checked

    Verified ordering references

  • Chassis lubrication

    Sourced interval available

    Applies to: 1972 · United States

    Published interval: 6,000 mi / 4 months · Whichever occurs first.

    Source: Pontiac Motor Division — 1972 Pontiac Service Manual, general lubrication schedule · General Information pages 0-13–0-14 — chassis-lubrication row · checked

  • Brake-system inspection

    Sourced interval available

    Applies to: 1972 · United States

    Published interval: 12,000 mi / 12 months · Inspect the complete brake system; check the master-cylinder fluid at each 6,000-mile/4-month service.

    Source: Pontiac Motor Division — 1972 Pontiac Service Manual, general lubrication schedule · General Information pages 0-13–0-15 — brake-system rows · checked

  • Paper air-cleaner element

    Sourced interval available

    Applies to: 1972 · United States

    Published interval: 12,000 mi / 12 months · Replace the standard paper element; service more often in dusty conditions.

    Source: Pontiac Motor Division — 1972 Pontiac Service Manual, general lubrication schedule · General Information pages 0-13–0-15 — standard air-cleaner row · checked

  • Fuel and evaporative-emission filters

    Sourced interval available

    Applies to: 1972 · United States

    Published interval: 12,000 mi / 12 months · Replace the integral carburetor fuel filter and replace or inspect the evaporative-emission canister filter as specified.

    Source: Pontiac Motor Division — 1972 Pontiac Service Manual, general lubrication schedule · General Information pages 0-13–0-15 — carburetor and evaporative-control canister rows · checked

  • Front wheel bearings

    Sourced interval available

    Applies to: 1972 · United States

    Published interval: 12,000 mi / 12 months · Clean, inspect, and repack the front wheel bearings.

    Source: Pontiac Motor Division — 1972 Pontiac Service Manual, general lubrication schedule · General Information pages 0-13–0-15 — front-wheel-bearing row · checked

  • Positive crankcase ventilation service

    Sourced interval available

    Applies to: 1972 · United States

    Published interval: 24,000 mi / 24 months · Inspect the hose and passages, service the ventilation filter, and replace the PCV valve.

    Source: Pontiac Motor Division — 1972 Pontiac Service Manual, general lubrication schedule · General Information pages 0-13–0-16 — crankcase-ventilation row · checked

  • Automatic transmission fluid and filter

    Sourced interval available

    Applies to: 1972 · Automatic · United States

    Published interval: 24,000 mi / 24 months · Whichever occurs first; use 12,000 miles under heavy-duty or excessive stop-and-go use.

    Source: Pontiac Motor Division — 1972 Pontiac Service Manual, general lubrication schedule · General Information pages 0-13–0-16 — automatic-transmission row · checked

  • Engine coolant

    Sourced interval available

    Applies to: 1972 · United States

    Published interval: 24,000 mi / 24 months · Drain, flush, and refill the cooling system, whichever occurs first.

    Source: Pontiac Motor Division — 1972 Pontiac Service Manual, general lubrication schedule · General Information pages 0-13–0-16 — cooling-system row · checked

  • Tire rotation

    Sourced interval available

    Applies to: 1972 · United States

    Published interval: 6,000 mi · Rotate the tires using the factory pattern.

    Source: Pontiac Motor Division — 1972 Pontiac Service Manual, general lubrication schedule · General Information page 0-13 — tire-rotation row · checked

Collect

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Famous variants this year

Sources

  1. 1972 Firebird factory engine, transmission, and option records
  2. Pontiac Motor Division — 1972 Pontiac factory prestige brochure

Other Second generation years

Explore the Long-running '70½–'81 F-body generation →All Second generation · Long-running '70½–'81 F-body years →

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