Vehicle Description
In the late '90s, the Firebird Firehawk was a pretty big deal; in
fact, it had its own racing series. This 2002 Pontiac Firebird
Firehawk is a continuation of that successful formula: more
performance, less cost. Today, Firehawks remain a desirable piece
of muscle that will surely find a spot in future collectors'
garages.
There weren't many more aggressive-looking cars in the early 2000s
than the Pontiac Firebird, and the guys who built the Firehawk
(SLP, by the way) didn't see the need to change that. They were the
guys who invented modern ram-air systems for GM, so it's natural
that this F-body would have twin nostrils on the hood, and then
they added a pair of relatively subtle Firehawk decals on the lower
doors, plus one little one on the tail, but that's about it. This
one, painted lovely Pewter metallic, actually has an awesome
contrast of subtle and outrageous that really works. It's in
excellent condition, which isn't a surprise given the 24,312
original miles on the car, and someone has clearly spent their
weekends keeping the paint well waxed. Tinted windows give it an
extra aggressive look and there's something about that Pewter paint
that makes the red taillights and brake calipers really pop.
The Firehawk was based on the Firebird, not the Trans Am, and
that's actually a smart choice because you get the same deeply
bolstered bucket seats, but these are wrapped in grippy gray cloth
instead of slippery leather. For a car designed to go fast, it's
the right choice. It's also in excellent condition inside, with
very few signs of wear, including the driver's seat which looks
almost new. Of course, the Firebird was hardly stripped-down, and
includes such niceties as A/C, power windows, locks, mirrors, and
seat, and a full set of gauges that are big and easy to read. This
car has been augmented with a thumping Alpine and JL Audio
entertainment system that cost more than $1700 all by itself and
sounds spectacular. There are also T-tops overhead, a trick
aluminum shifter knob for the 4-speed automatic overdrive
transmission, and a pair of pseudo buckets for back seat
passengers. It's a nice package.
GM's mighty LS1 was standard equipment in V8 Firebirds by 2002, and
despite GM's protests to the contrary, it's pretty obvious that it
was making Corvette-level horsepower. The SLP guys added a few
extra ponies thanks to the ram air induction system up front and a
throatier exhaust system, but when your engine runs so well and
pushes the car into the 13s without working too hard, why mess with
it? This one has been professionally tuned, so it's making every
horsepower it can, yet it retains OEM levels of drivability. The
engine bay remains entirely stock save for a Hotchkis strut tower
brace that sharpens up the steering a bit, SLP put a few little
markers here and there to let you know this is a special F-body,
and, of course, it lights off easily and idles smoothly, just as
the GM engineers intended. Being linked to the automatic gearbox is
no handicap here, because it snaps off rifle-shot shifts and drops
a gear or two with a prod from your right foot, so it's simply a
matter of stomp and steer. The underside is shockingly clean, and
with so few miles, even the original (and expensive) DeCarbon
shocks are in place and totally healthy. Chrome 5-spoke wheels add
a little flash and are wrapped in recent BFGoodrich rubber.
Heavily documented with the original window sticker, SLP paperwork,
factory build sheet, dyno sheet, and maintenance records, this is a
car that remains a blast to drive today and will surely appreciate
tomorrow. Call now!
