Car Model History

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

1977Pontiac 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

1977 Pontiac Firebird 350, second generation — red coupe, front three-quarter view

Photo: “Pontiac Firebird 350” by Ermell / 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 1977 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 1977 Firebird

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

30factory 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 1977 Firebird factory engine and transmission records.

30versions shown
Firebird8 exact versions

Firebird Hardtop Coupe — 231 cu in Buick V6, 2-barrel, 3-speed manual

Body
Two-door rear-wheel-drive hardtop coupe
Engine
231 cu in Buick V6, 2-barrel
Gearbox
3-speed manual
Built
Regular production
Open exact version

Firebird Hardtop Coupe — 231 cu in Buick V6, 2-barrel, 3-speed Turbo Hydra-Matic automatic

Body
Two-door rear-wheel-drive hardtop coupe
Engine
231 cu in Buick V6, 2-barrel
Gearbox
3-speed Turbo Hydra-Matic automatic
Built
Regular production
Open exact version

Firebird Hardtop Coupe — 301 cu in Pontiac V8, 2-barrel, 4-speed manual

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

Firebird Hardtop Coupe — 301 cu in Pontiac V8, 2-barrel, 3-speed Turbo Hydra-Matic automatic

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

Firebird Hardtop Coupe — 305 cu in Chevrolet V8, 2-barrel, 4-speed manual

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

Firebird Hardtop Coupe — 305 cu in Chevrolet V8, 2-barrel, 3-speed Turbo Hydra-Matic automatic

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

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

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

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

Body
Two-door rear-wheel-drive hardtop coupe
Engine
350 cu in Oldsmobile V8, 4-barrel
Gearbox
3-speed Turbo Hydra-Matic automatic
Built
Regular production
Open exact version
Esprit8 exact versions

Esprit Hardtop Coupe — 231 cu in Buick V6, 2-barrel, 3-speed manual

Body
Two-door rear-wheel-drive hardtop coupe
Engine
231 cu in Buick V6, 2-barrel
Gearbox
3-speed manual
Built
Regular production
Open exact version

Esprit Hardtop Coupe — 231 cu in Buick V6, 2-barrel, 3-speed Turbo Hydra-Matic automatic

Body
Two-door rear-wheel-drive hardtop coupe
Engine
231 cu in Buick V6, 2-barrel
Gearbox
3-speed Turbo Hydra-Matic automatic
Built
Regular production
Open exact version

Esprit Hardtop Coupe — 301 cu in Pontiac V8, 2-barrel, 4-speed manual

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

Esprit Hardtop Coupe — 301 cu in Pontiac V8, 2-barrel, 3-speed Turbo Hydra-Matic automatic

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

Esprit Hardtop Coupe — 305 cu in Chevrolet V8, 2-barrel, 4-speed manual

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

Esprit Hardtop Coupe — 305 cu in Chevrolet V8, 2-barrel, 3-speed Turbo Hydra-Matic automatic

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

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

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

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

Body
Two-door rear-wheel-drive hardtop coupe
Engine
350 cu in Oldsmobile V8, 4-barrel
Gearbox
3-speed Turbo Hydra-Matic automatic
Built
Regular production
Open exact version
Formula8 exact versions

Formula Hardtop Coupe — 301 cu in Pontiac V8, 2-barrel, 4-speed manual

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

Formula Hardtop Coupe — 301 cu in Pontiac V8, 2-barrel, 3-speed Turbo Hydra-Matic automatic

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

Formula Hardtop Coupe — 305 cu in Chevrolet V8, 2-barrel, 4-speed manual

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

Formula Hardtop Coupe — 305 cu in Chevrolet V8, 2-barrel, 3-speed Turbo Hydra-Matic automatic

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Formula Hardtop Coupe — 403 cu in Oldsmobile V8, 4-barrel, 3-speed Turbo Hydra-Matic automatic

Body
Two-door rear-wheel-drive hardtop coupe
Engine
403 cu in Oldsmobile V8, 4-barrel
Gearbox
3-speed Turbo Hydra-Matic automatic
Built
Regular production
Open exact version
Formula W722 exact versions

Formula W72 Hardtop Coupe — 400 cu in Pontiac W72 V8, 4-barrel, 4-speed manual

Body
Two-door rear-wheel-drive hardtop coupe
Engine
400 cu in Pontiac W72 V8, 4-barrel
Gearbox
4-speed manual
Built
Regular production
Open exact version

Formula W72 Hardtop Coupe — 400 cu in Pontiac W72 V8, 4-barrel, 3-speed Turbo Hydra-Matic automatic

Body
Two-door rear-wheel-drive hardtop coupe
Engine
400 cu in Pontiac W72 V8, 4-barrel
Gearbox
3-speed Turbo Hydra-Matic automatic
Built
Regular production
Open exact version
Trans Am2 exact versions

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

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

Trans Am Hardtop Coupe — 403 cu in Oldsmobile V8, 4-barrel, 3-speed Turbo Hydra-Matic automatic

Body
Two-door rear-wheel-drive hardtop coupe
Engine
403 cu in Oldsmobile V8, 4-barrel
Gearbox
3-speed Turbo Hydra-Matic automatic
Built
Regular production
Open exact version
Trans Am W722 exact versions

Trans Am W72 Hardtop Coupe — 400 cu in Pontiac W72 V8, 4-barrel, 4-speed manual

Body
Two-door rear-wheel-drive hardtop coupe
Engine
400 cu in Pontiac W72 V8, 4-barrel
Gearbox
4-speed manual
Built
Regular production
Open exact version

Trans Am W72 Hardtop Coupe — 400 cu in Pontiac W72 V8, 4-barrel, 3-speed Turbo Hydra-Matic automatic

Body
Two-door rear-wheel-drive hardtop coupe
Engine
400 cu in Pontiac W72 V8, 4-barrel
Gearbox
3-speed Turbo Hydra-Matic automatic
Built
Regular production
Open exact version

The 1977 model year

Overview

The 1977 model year is the most famous in Firebird history: the black-and-gold Trans Am Special Edition (the 'Y82' package) starred in the film Smokey and the Bandit, sending Trans Am sales soaring. The second-generation F-body, with its 'screaming chicken' hood decal, became one of the defining American cars of the late 1970s.

Specifications

Body styles
Coupe
Production
68,744 Trans Am units (across all 1977 Trans Am trims)

Year over year

What changed

  • The black-and-gold Special Edition Trans Am gained fame via Smokey and the Bandit.
  • Demand for the Trans Am surged on the back of the film.

Worth knowing

Notable

  • The 'Bandit' Trans Am is the single most iconic Firebird.
  • Trans Am sales would peak two years later, in 1979, at 117,108 units.

Living with it

Reliability & ownership notes

  • Malaise-era smog-controlled V8s; matching-numbers drivetrain and authentic Special Edition trim drive collector value.

Maintenance & service parts

Keep your 1977 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 1977 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: 1977 · United States

    Published interval: 7,500 mi / 12 months · Whichever comes first under normal service; 3,000 miles or 3 months for dusty use, trailer pulling, extended idling, or freezing short trips.

    Source: Pontiac Motor Division — 1977 Pontiac Service Manual, complete vehicle maintenance schedules I and II · Pages OB-2/OB-3, item A-3; explanation on page OB-5 · checked

  • Engine oil filter

    Exact reference available

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

    Applies to: 1977 · United States

    Published interval: 15,000 mi · Replace at the first oil change and every second oil change thereafter; when time rather than mileage controls oil changes, replace at every oil change.

    Source: Pontiac Motor Division — 1977 Pontiac Service Manual, complete vehicle maintenance schedules I and II · Pages OB-2/OB-3, item A-4; explanation on page OB-5 · checked

    Baldwin B43-S cataloged fitment

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

    Applies to: 1977 · 231 cu in Buick V6, 2-barrel · United States · Baldwin's exact 1977 Firebird V6-231 (3.8L), code A row assigns B43-S; confirm the engine code and installed filter before ordering.

    Source: Parker/Baldwin Filters — 2025 Automotive Applications catalog · PDF page 938, Pontiac 1977 Firebird V6-231 (3.8L), code A row — Lube — B43-S · checked

    Verified ordering references

    Baldwin B31 cataloged fitment

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

    Applies to: 1977 · 301 cu in Pontiac V8, 2-barrel · United States · Baldwin's exact 1977 Firebird V8-301 (4.9L), code Y row assigns B31; confirm the engine code and installed filter before ordering.

    Source: Parker/Baldwin Filters — 2025 Automotive Applications catalog · PDF page 938, Pontiac 1977 Firebird V8-301 (4.9L), code Y row — Lube — B31 · checked

    Verified ordering references

    Baldwin B27 cataloged fitment

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

    Applies to: 1977 · 305 cu in Chevrolet V8, 2-barrel · United States · Baldwin's exact 1977 Firebird V8-305 (5.0L), code U row assigns B27; confirm the engine code and installed filter before ordering.

    Source: Parker/Baldwin Filters — 2025 Automotive Applications catalog · PDF page 938, Pontiac 1977 Firebird V8-305 (5.0L), code U 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: 1977 · 350 cu in Pontiac V8, 4-barrel, 350 cu in Oldsmobile V8, 4-barrel · United States · Baldwin's exact 1977 Firebird V8-350 (5.7L), codes P/R row assigns B39; confirm the engine code and installed filter before ordering.

    Source: Parker/Baldwin Filters — 2025 Automotive Applications catalog · PDF page 938, Pontiac 1977 Firebird V8-350 (5.7L), codes P/R 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: 1977 · 400 cu in Pontiac V8, 4-barrel, 400 cu in Pontiac W72 V8, 4-barrel · United States · Baldwin's exact 1977 Firebird V8-400 (6.6L), codes Z/X row assigns B39; confirm the engine code and installed filter before ordering.

    Source: Parker/Baldwin Filters — 2025 Automotive Applications catalog · PDF page 938, Pontiac 1977 Firebird V8-400 (6.6L), codes Z/X 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: 1977 · 403 cu in Oldsmobile V8, 4-barrel · United States · Baldwin's exact 1977 Firebird V8-403 (6.6L), code K row assigns B39; confirm the engine code and installed filter before ordering.

    Source: Parker/Baldwin Filters — 2025 Automotive Applications catalog · PDF page 938, Pontiac 1977 Firebird V8-403 (6.6L), code K row — Lube — B39 · checked

    Verified ordering references

  • Chassis and body lubrication

    Sourced interval available

    Applies to: 1977 · United States

    Published interval: 7,500 mi / 12 months · Whichever comes first.

    Source: Pontiac Motor Division — 1977 Pontiac Service Manual, complete vehicle maintenance schedules I and II · Pages OB-2/OB-3, item A-1; explanation on page OB-4 · checked

  • Cooling-system service and coolant

    Sourced interval available

    Applies to: 1977 · United States

    Published interval: 30,000 mi / 24 months · Drain, flush, and refill, whichever comes first; inspect the system and clean the radiator/condenser every 15,000 miles or 12 months.

    Source: Pontiac Motor Division — 1977 Pontiac Service Manual, complete vehicle maintenance schedules I and II · Pages OB-2/OB-3, item A-8; explanation on page OB-5 · checked

  • Automatic transmission fluid and sump filter

    Sourced interval available

    Applies to: 1977 · Automatic transmission · United States

    Published interval: 60,000 mi · Normal driving conditions.

    Source: Pontiac Motor Division — 1977 Pontiac Service Manual, complete vehicle maintenance schedules I and II · Pages OB-2/OB-3, item A-12; explanation on page OB-5 · checked

    Automatic transmission — severe service

    Applies to: 1977 · Automatic transmission · United States · Constant heavy city traffic, trailer pulling, or commercial use.

    Published interval: 15,000 mi · Severe service.

    Source: Pontiac Motor Division — 1977 Pontiac Service Manual, complete vehicle maintenance schedules I and II · Page OB-5, item A-12 · checked

  • Rear axle lubricant

    Sourced interval available

    Applies to: 1977 · United States · Applies when the vehicle is used to pull a trailer.

    Published interval: 15,000 mi · Replace during trailer-towing service.

    Source: Pontiac Motor Division — 1977 Pontiac Service Manual, complete vehicle maintenance schedules I and II · Page OB-5, item A-6 · checked

  • Front wheel-bearing service

    Sourced interval available

    Applies to: 1977 · United States

    Published interval: 30,000 mi · Clean and repack the front wheel bearings.

    Source: Pontiac Motor Division — 1977 Pontiac Service Manual, complete vehicle maintenance schedules I and II · Pages OB-2/OB-3, item A-9; explanation on page OB-5 · checked

  • Carburetor fuel filter

    Sourced interval available

    Applies to: 1977 · United States · Use the Schedule I or II suffix printed for the engine family on the underhood Vehicle Emission Control Information label; the factory engine-family table on manual page OB-4 controls applicability.

    Published interval: 15,000 mi / 12 months · Schedule I or II; replace at the designated interval or sooner if clogged.

    Source: Pontiac Motor Division — 1977 Pontiac Service Manual, complete vehicle maintenance schedules I and II · Pages OB-2/OB-3, item C-7; explanation on page OB-7 · checked

  • PCV system, valve, and filter

    Sourced interval available

    Applies to: 1977 · United States · Use the Schedule I or II suffix printed for the engine family on the underhood Vehicle Emission Control Information label; the factory engine-family table on manual page OB-4 controls applicability.

    Published interval: 15,000 mi / 12 months · Check the PCV system; replace the valve at 30,000 miles. Replace the PCV filter with the air-cleaner element except on the L4 engine.

    Source: Pontiac Motor Division — 1977 Pontiac Service Manual, complete vehicle maintenance schedules I and II · Pages OB-2/OB-3, item C-8; explanation on page OB-7 · checked

  • Spark plugs

    Sourced interval available

    Applies to: 1977 · United States · Use the Schedule I or II suffix printed for the engine family on the underhood Vehicle Emission Control Information label; the factory engine-family table on manual page OB-4 controls applicability.

    Published interval: 22,500 mi · Schedule I; replace at the indicated interval.

    Source: Pontiac Motor Division — 1977 Pontiac Service Manual, complete vehicle maintenance schedules I and II · Page OB-2, item C-11 · checked

    Schedule II engine family

    Applies to: 1977 · United States · Use the Schedule I or II suffix printed for the engine family on the underhood Vehicle Emission Control Information label; the factory engine-family table on manual page OB-4 controls applicability.

    Published interval: 30,000 mi · Schedule II; replace at the indicated interval.

    Source: Pontiac Motor Division — 1977 Pontiac Service Manual, complete vehicle maintenance schedules I and II · Page OB-3, item C-11 · checked

  • Air-cleaner element

    Sourced interval available

    Applies to: 1977 · United States · Use the Schedule I or II suffix printed for the engine family on the underhood Vehicle Emission Control Information label; the factory engine-family table on manual page OB-4 controls applicability.

    Published interval: 30,000 mi / 24 months · Schedule I; replace at the indicated interval.

    Source: Pontiac Motor Division — 1977 Pontiac Service Manual, complete vehicle maintenance schedules I and II · Page OB-2, item C-16 · checked

    Schedule II engine family

    Applies to: 1977 · United States · Use the Schedule I or II suffix printed for the engine family on the underhood Vehicle Emission Control Information label; the factory engine-family table on manual page OB-4 controls applicability.

    Published interval: 30,000 mi · Schedule II; replace at the indicated interval.

    Source: Pontiac Motor Division — 1977 Pontiac Service Manual, complete vehicle maintenance schedules I and II · Page OB-3, item C-16 · checked

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Famous variants this year

Sources

  1. Wikipedia — "Pontiac Firebird"
  2. Wikipedia — "Pontiac Firebird Trans Am"

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