PONTIAC Firebird Convertible 1995-1997 Photos, engines & full specs

Pontiac introduced a convertible version for the Firebird's fourth generation in 1994 as a 1995 model year and raised the bar against its main rival, the Ford Mustang.

The pony-car war never ended. It just evolved into a different area. While in the beginning was all about horsepower, later on, it was about features and amenities. When Pontiac introduced the fourth generation of the Firebird in 1992, it offered it either as a coupe or as a T-top, which was the next best thing to a convertible. But the true rag-top version came only in 1994.

Designed as a more aerodynamic, GT-style vehicle, the Firebird featured a pair of pop-up headlights and a V-shaped front bumper. It had no grille, just a few air-intakes to cool the radiators and feed the engine with air. A pair of hood vents served as hot-air extractors. Pontiac made the Firebird convertible with thick A-pillars, which served as a safety arch as well. Behind the cabin, the carmaker made the storage area for the canvas top in front of the flat trunk lid. An important improvement for the car was the glass, defrosted rear window.

Inside, Pontiac installed two seats at the front and a bench behind them, but with very limited legroom for the rear passengers. Depending on the trim level, the carmaker offered bucket seats with high bolstering for the front occupants. A tall center console divided the car in two. The rounded instrument cluster featured two large dials for the speedometer and tachometer. Another four gauges underneath and on the sides show the oil pressure and the ammeter apart the regular fuel level and temperature indicators.

Under the hood, the Firebird convertible featured a small engine range starting with a 3.4-liter V-6 and topping up with a 5.7-liter V-8 for the Firebird Formula version.