Car Model History

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

1976Pontiac 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

1976 Pontiac Firebird — exact-model-year car

Photo: “1976 Pontiac Firebird Formula.jpg” by Rutger van der Maar / Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY 2.0. Cropped to 16:9.

Start here

What do you need to know?

This page covers the whole 1976 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 1976 Firebird

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

19factory 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 1976 Firebird factory engine and transmission records.

19versions shown
Two-door rear-wheel-drive hardtop coupe

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

Body
Two-door rear-wheel-drive hardtop coupe
Engine
250 cu in inline-six, 1-barrel
Gearbox
3-speed floor-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, 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 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

Firebird Hardtop Coupe — 350 cu in V8, 4-barrel, 3-speed Turbo Hydra-Matic automatic

Body
Two-door rear-wheel-drive hardtop coupe
Engine
350 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

Firebird Hardtop Coupe — 400 cu in V8, 4-barrel, 4-speed close-ratio manual

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

Firebird 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

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

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

Esprit 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

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 — 350 cu in V8, 4-barrel, 3-speed Turbo Hydra-Matic automatic

Body
Two-door rear-wheel-drive hardtop coupe
Engine
350 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

Esprit Hardtop Coupe — 400 cu in V8, 4-barrel, 4-speed close-ratio manual

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

Esprit 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 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 Hardtop Coupe — 350 cu in V8, 4-barrel, 3-speed Turbo Hydra-Matic automatic

Body
Two-door rear-wheel-drive hardtop coupe
Engine
350 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 Hardtop Coupe — 400 cu in V8, 4-barrel, 4-speed close-ratio manual

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

Formula 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

Trans Am Hardtop Coupe — 400 cu in V8, 4-barrel, 4-speed close-ratio manual

Body
Two-door rear-wheel-drive hardtop coupe
Engine
400 cu in 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 — 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

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

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

The 1976 model year

Overview

Pontiac's exact-year factory literature documents 19 1976 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
  • 350 cu in V8, 4-barrel
  • 400 cu in V8, 4-barrel
  • 455 cu in V8, 4-barrel
Transmissions
3-speed floor-shift manual, 3-speed Turbo Hydra-Matic automatic, 4-speed close-ratio manual
Body styles
Two-door rear-wheel-drive hardtop coupe

Year over year

What changed

  • The 1976 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 19 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 1976 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 1976 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
5
Factory intervals
4
Fitment-scoped
5
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.

  • Carburetor fuel filter

    Sourced interval available

    Applies to: 1976 · United States (federal reference schedule) · The federal database transcribes the 1976 General Motors package for Pontiac. Match the applicable schedule to the underhood emissions label; this recovered package establishes the listed emissions tasks and intervals, not the omitted oil, lubricant, fluid, or owner-check rows.

    Published interval: 15,000 mi · Emissions II; replace.

    Source: U.S. DOT/NHTSA — 1976 General Motors Pontiac scheduled-maintenance packages · Appendix D, page D-51 — 1976 General Motors Schedule I, Emissions II · checked

  • PCV system, valve, and filter

    Sourced interval available

    Applies to: 1976 · United States (federal reference schedule) · The federal database transcribes the 1976 General Motors package for Pontiac. Match the applicable schedule to the underhood emissions label; this recovered package establishes the listed emissions tasks and intervals, not the omitted oil, lubricant, fluid, or owner-check rows.

    Published interval: 15,000 mi · Emissions II: check the PCV system; Emissions IV at 30,000 miles: replace the PCV valve and filter.

    Source: U.S. DOT/NHTSA — 1976 General Motors Pontiac scheduled-maintenance packages · Appendix D, page D-51 — 1976 General Motors Schedule I, Emissions II and IV · checked

  • Spark plugs and ignition service

    Sourced interval available

    Applies to: 1976 · United States (federal reference schedule) · The federal database transcribes the 1976 General Motors package for Pontiac. Match the applicable schedule to the underhood emissions label; this recovered package establishes the listed emissions tasks and intervals, not the omitted oil, lubricant, fluid, or owner-check rows.

    Published interval: 22,500 mi · Emissions III: replace the spark plugs; check the wires, timing, distributor, idle-stop solenoid/dashpot, differential vacuum-delay valve, and separator valve.

    Source: U.S. DOT/NHTSA — 1976 General Motors Pontiac scheduled-maintenance packages · Appendix D, page D-51 — 1976 General Motors Schedule I, Emissions III · checked

  • Air-cleaner and charcoal-canister filters

    Sourced interval available

    Applies to: 1976 · United States (federal reference schedule) · The federal database transcribes the 1976 General Motors package for Pontiac. Match the applicable schedule to the underhood emissions label; this recovered package establishes the listed emissions tasks and intervals, not the omitted oil, lubricant, fluid, or owner-check rows. The printed air-cleaner replacement excludes four-cylinder engines.

    Published interval: 30,000 mi · Emissions IV: replace the air-cleaner element except on four-cylinder engines, and replace the charcoal-canister filter.

    Source: U.S. DOT/NHTSA — 1976 General Motors Pontiac scheduled-maintenance packages · Appendix D, page D-51 — 1976 General Motors Schedule I, Emissions IV · checked

  • Engine oil filter — catalog fitment

    Exact reference available

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

    Baldwin B27 cataloged fitment

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

    Applies to: 1976 · 250 cu in inline-six, 1-barrel · United States · Baldwin's exact 1976 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 939, Pontiac 1976 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: 1976 · 350 cu in V8, 2-barrel, 350 cu in V8, 4-barrel · United States · Baldwin's exact 1976 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 939, Pontiac 1976 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: 1976 · 400 cu in V8, 4-barrel · United States · Baldwin's exact 1976 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 939, Pontiac 1976 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: 1976 · 455 cu in V8, 4-barrel · United States · Baldwin's exact 1976 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 939, Pontiac 1976 Firebird V8-455 (7.5L) carbureted row — Lube — B39 · checked

    Verified ordering references

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Famous variants this year

Sources

  1. 1976 Firebird factory engine and transmission records

Other Second generation years

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