Car Model History

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

1981Pontiac 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

1981 Pontiac Firebird — exact-model-year car

Photo: “1981 Pontiac Firebird (36784653423).jpg” by GPS 56 from New Zealand / 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 1981 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 1981 Firebird

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

25factory 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 1981 Firebird factory engine and transmission records.

25versions shown
Firebird7 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 — 265 cu in Pontiac V8, 2-barrel, 3-speed Turbo Hydra-Matic automatic

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

Firebird Hardtop Coupe — 267 cu in Chevrolet V8, 2-barrel, 3-speed Turbo Hydra-Matic automatic

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

Firebird Hardtop Coupe — 301 cu in Pontiac economy V8, 4-barrel, 3-speed Turbo Hydra-Matic automatic

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

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

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

Firebird Hardtop Coupe — 305 cu in Chevrolet V8, 4-barrel, 3-speed Turbo Hydra-Matic automatic

Body
Two-door rear-wheel-drive hardtop coupe
Engine
305 cu in Chevrolet V8, 4-barrel
Gearbox
3-speed Turbo Hydra-Matic automatic
Built
Regular production
Open exact version
Esprit6 exact versions

Esprit Hardtop Coupe — 265 cu in Pontiac V8, 2-barrel, 3-speed Turbo Hydra-Matic automatic

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

Esprit Hardtop Coupe — 267 cu in Chevrolet V8, 2-barrel, 3-speed Turbo Hydra-Matic automatic

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

Esprit Hardtop Coupe — 301 cu in Pontiac economy V8, 4-barrel, 3-speed Turbo Hydra-Matic automatic

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

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

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

Esprit Hardtop Coupe — 305 cu in Chevrolet V8, 4-barrel, 3-speed Turbo Hydra-Matic automatic

Body
Two-door rear-wheel-drive hardtop coupe
Engine
305 cu in Chevrolet V8, 4-barrel
Gearbox
3-speed Turbo Hydra-Matic automatic
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
Formula6 exact versions

Formula Hardtop Coupe — 265 cu in Pontiac V8, 2-barrel, 3-speed Turbo Hydra-Matic automatic

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

Formula Hardtop Coupe — 267 cu in Chevrolet V8, 2-barrel, 3-speed Turbo Hydra-Matic automatic

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

Formula Hardtop Coupe — 301 cu in Pontiac economy V8, 4-barrel, 3-speed Turbo Hydra-Matic automatic

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

Formula Hardtop Coupe — 301 cu in Pontiac turbocharged V8, 4-barrel, 3-speed Turbo Hydra-Matic automatic

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

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

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

Formula Hardtop Coupe — 305 cu in Chevrolet V8, 4-barrel, 3-speed Turbo Hydra-Matic automatic

Body
Two-door rear-wheel-drive hardtop coupe
Engine
305 cu in Chevrolet V8, 4-barrel
Gearbox
3-speed Turbo Hydra-Matic automatic
Built
Regular production
Open exact version
Trans Am5 exact versions

Trans Am Hardtop Coupe — 267 cu in Chevrolet V8, 2-barrel, 3-speed Turbo Hydra-Matic automatic

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

Trans Am Hardtop Coupe — 301 cu in Pontiac economy V8, 4-barrel, 3-speed Turbo Hydra-Matic automatic

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

Trans Am Hardtop Coupe — 301 cu in Pontiac turbocharged V8, 4-barrel, 3-speed Turbo Hydra-Matic automatic

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

Trans Am Hardtop Coupe — 305 cu in Chevrolet V8, 4-barrel, 4-speed manual

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

Trans Am Hardtop Coupe — 305 cu in Chevrolet V8, 4-barrel, 3-speed Turbo Hydra-Matic automatic

Body
Two-door rear-wheel-drive hardtop coupe
Engine
305 cu in Chevrolet V8, 4-barrel
Gearbox
3-speed Turbo Hydra-Matic automatic
Built
Regular production
Open exact version
Trans Am Daytona Pace Car1 exact versions

Trans Am Daytona Pace Car Hardtop Coupe — 301 cu in Pontiac turbocharged V8, 4-barrel, 3-speed Turbo Hydra-Matic automatic

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

The 1981 model year

Overview

Pontiac's exact-year factory literature documents 25 1981 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
  • 231 cu in Buick V6, 2-barrel
  • 265 cu in Pontiac V8, 2-barrel
  • 267 cu in Chevrolet V8, 2-barrel
  • 301 cu in Pontiac economy V8, 4-barrel
  • 305 cu in Chevrolet V8, 4-barrel
  • 301 cu in Pontiac turbocharged V8, 4-barrel
Transmissions
3-speed manual, 3-speed Turbo Hydra-Matic automatic, 4-speed manual
Body styles
Two-door rear-wheel-drive hardtop coupe

Year over year

What changed

  • The 1981 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 25 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 1981 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 1981 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
7
Factory intervals
6
Fitment-scoped
7
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: 1981 · United States · The photographed reproduction is identified as GM glovebox schedule part 325131 for 1970–1981 Firebird/Trans Am. It is a readable independent reproduction, not a factory-hosted manual; the records below transcribe only its unambiguous rows, and the schedule itself directs owners to the year-specific owner's manual for additional requirements.

    Published interval: 6,000 mi / 4 months · Whichever occurs first; check the oil level between services.

    Source: General Motors part 325131 — 1970–1981 Firebird glovebox vehicle-safety maintenance schedule (reproduction photographed by Firebird Central) · Product image of GM schedule 325131 — engine-oil row at every 6,000-mile service; footnote defines each service as 4 months or 6,000 miles · checked

  • Brake and power-steering inspection

    Sourced interval available

    Applies to: 1981 · United States · The photographed reproduction is identified as GM glovebox schedule part 325131 for 1970–1981 Firebird/Trans Am. It is a readable independent reproduction, not a factory-hosted manual; the records below transcribe only its unambiguous rows, and the schedule itself directs owners to the year-specific owner's manual for additional requirements.

    Published interval: 6,000 mi / 4 months · Check all brake and power-steering lines and hoses; check brake linings and parking-brake adjustment.

    Source: General Motors part 325131 — 1970–1981 Firebird glovebox vehicle-safety maintenance schedule (reproduction photographed by Firebird Central) · Product image of GM schedule 325131 — brakes and power-steering row at every 6,000-mile service · checked

  • Chassis lubrication and fluid levels

    Sourced interval available

    Applies to: 1981 · United States · The photographed reproduction is identified as GM glovebox schedule part 325131 for 1970–1981 Firebird/Trans Am. It is a readable independent reproduction, not a factory-hosted manual; the records below transcribe only its unambiguous rows, and the schedule itself directs owners to the year-specific owner's manual for additional requirements.

    Published interval: 6,000 mi / 4 months · Lubricate the chassis and check all fluid levels.

    Source: General Motors part 325131 — 1970–1981 Firebird glovebox vehicle-safety maintenance schedule (reproduction photographed by Firebird Central) · Product image of GM schedule 325131 — chassis row at every 6,000-mile service · checked

  • Suspension, exhaust, and tire inspection

    Sourced interval available

    Applies to: 1981 · United States · The photographed reproduction is identified as GM glovebox schedule part 325131 for 1970–1981 Firebird/Trans Am. It is a readable independent reproduction, not a factory-hosted manual; the records below transcribe only its unambiguous rows, and the schedule itself directs owners to the year-specific owner's manual for additional requirements.

    Published interval: 6,000 mi / 4 months · Check tire condition at each service and pressure at least monthly. Check the front and rear suspension, steering system, exhaust, and underbody every 12,000 miles or 8 months; rotate tires as indicated by wear.

    Source: General Motors part 325131 — 1970–1981 Firebird glovebox vehicle-safety maintenance schedule (reproduction photographed by Firebird Central) · Product image of GM schedule 325131 — suspension/steering and exhaust rows at alternating 6,000-mile columns; tires and wheels row with monthly pressure note · checked

  • Engine air-cleaner element

    Sourced interval available

    Applies to: 1981 · United States · The photographed reproduction is identified as GM glovebox schedule part 325131 for 1970–1981 Firebird/Trans Am. It is a readable independent reproduction, not a factory-hosted manual; the records below transcribe only its unambiguous rows, and the schedule itself directs owners to the year-specific owner's manual for additional requirements.

    Published interval: 12,000 mi / 8 months · Replace the air-cleaner element; service sooner when conditions require.

    Source: General Motors part 325131 — 1970–1981 Firebird glovebox vehicle-safety maintenance schedule (reproduction photographed by Firebird Central) · Product image of GM schedule 325131 — air-filter row at alternating 6,000-mile service columns · checked

  • Engine coolant

    Sourced interval available

    Applies to: 1981 · United States · The photographed reproduction is identified as GM glovebox schedule part 325131 for 1970–1981 Firebird/Trans Am. It is a readable independent reproduction, not a factory-hosted manual; the records below transcribe only its unambiguous rows, and the schedule itself directs owners to the year-specific owner's manual for additional requirements.

    Published interval: 24 months · Change the coolant every two years; check cooling-system condition at scheduled services.

    Source: General Motors part 325131 — 1970–1981 Firebird glovebox vehicle-safety maintenance schedule (reproduction photographed by Firebird Central) · Product image of GM schedule 325131 — engine row states ‘Change coolant every two years’ · checked

  • Engine oil filter — catalog fitment

    Exact reference available

    Manufacturer-catalog fitment scoped to the exact 1981 Firebird engine listing; K&N supplies the 4.4L row omitted from Baldwin's Firebird table.

    Baldwin B43-S cataloged fitment

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

    Applies to: 1981 · 231 cu in Buick V6, 2-barrel · United States · Baldwin's exact 1981 Firebird V6-231 (3.8L) 2-barrel, 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 935, Pontiac 1981 Firebird V6-231 (3.8L) 2-barrel, code A row — Lube — B43-S · checked

    Verified ordering references

    Baldwin B43-S cataloged fitment

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

    Applies to: 1981 · 265 cu in Pontiac V8, 2-barrel · United States · Baldwin's exact 1981 Firebird V8-265 (4.3L) 2-barrel, code S row assigns B43-S; confirm the engine code and installed filter before ordering.

    Source: Parker/Baldwin Filters — 2025 Automotive Applications catalog · PDF page 935, Pontiac 1981 Firebird V8-265 (4.3L) 2-barrel, code S row — Lube — B43-S · checked

    Verified ordering references

    Baldwin B43-S cataloged fitment

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

    Applies to: 1981 · 301 cu in Pontiac economy V8, 4-barrel · United States · Baldwin's exact 1981 Firebird V8-301 (4.9L) 4-barrel, code W row assigns B43-S; confirm the engine code and installed filter before ordering.

    Source: Parker/Baldwin Filters — 2025 Automotive Applications catalog · PDF page 935, Pontiac 1981 Firebird V8-301 (4.9L) 4-barrel, code W row — Lube — B43-S · checked

    Verified ordering references

    Baldwin B43-S cataloged fitment

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

    Applies to: 1981 · 301 cu in Pontiac turbocharged V8, 4-barrel · United States · Baldwin's exact 1981 Firebird V8-301 (4.9L) turbo 4-barrel, code T row assigns B43-S; confirm the engine code and installed filter before ordering.

    Source: Parker/Baldwin Filters — 2025 Automotive Applications catalog · PDF page 935, Pontiac 1981 Firebird V8-301 (4.9L) turbo 4-barrel, code T row — Lube — B43-S · 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: 1981 · 305 cu in Chevrolet V8, 4-barrel · United States · Baldwin's exact 1981 Firebird V8-305 (5.0L) 4-barrel, code H row assigns B27; confirm the engine code and installed filter before ordering.

    Source: Parker/Baldwin Filters — 2025 Automotive Applications catalog · PDF page 935, Pontiac 1981 Firebird V8-305 (5.0L) 4-barrel, code H row — Lube — B27 · checked

    Verified ordering references

    K&N HP-2002 cataloged fitment

    This manufacturer application record fills the 4.4L application omitted from Baldwin's Firebird table; it establishes fitment only.

    Applies to: 1981 · 267 cu in Chevrolet V8, 2-barrel · United States · K&N's vehicle application listing assigns HP-2002 to the 1981 Firebird 4.4L V8 carbureted application; confirm the installed engine and filter before ordering.

    Source: K&N Engineering — Pontiac Firebird replacement oil filters · 1981 Pontiac Firebird 4.4L V8 CARB listing — oil filter — HP-2002 · checked

    Verified ordering references

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Famous variants this year

Sources

  1. 1981 Firebird factory engine and transmission records

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