Vehicle Description
There just can't be many bigger bangs for your buck than this 1997
Pontiac Firebird Firehawk. Fourth-generation F-bodies delivered
staggering performance at a very reasonable price when they were
new, and today cars like this with their LT1 powerplants and
surprisingly capable suspensions are shockingly fast and remarkably
affordable. Reportedly, only 145 SLP Firehawks were built in 1997
(although the number is somewhat debated by 20 or so units in
either direction), and even fewer were painted silver (16 total by
all reports), making this upgraded '90s muscle car a very rare
bird, not to mention a blast to drive.
Painted in Sebring Silver, this car is probably not going to help
you avoid the local constabulary. But hey, for this price, you can
probably afford a few speeding tickets anyway. The composite
bodywork (except for the quarter panels) was all-new just a few
years earlier and gave the Firebird an instantly-identifiable but
unique look that included the functional hood-scoops up front and a
wrap-around rear spoiler that Pontiac fans recognized right away.
The factory silver paint still shines up nicely, although we
suspect the finish may have been re-cleared at some point, and
thanks to that plastic bodywork, there are no dents or rust in the
usual places. Perhaps a little stranger, the Pontiac guys decided
to hold back on loud badges and stripes save for three "Firehawk"
decals, including the hood chicken, so this one shows pure menace
instead of obnoxious advertisements. Fit and finish are
factory-grade and as a clean, original, unmolested exterior, it
still fits together quite well and shows years of conscientious
cleaning and waxing and only minor signs of use. If you want a
clean, unmodified performance look, they don't get much cooler than
this.
The interior is mostly stock, but the Pontiac designers got it
right on the first try. Supportive black leather buckets anchor the
interior, and the hides are in great shape with only a few comfort
marks on the driver's chair. The console, dashboard, and other trim
bits (the headliner looks new) are in very good condition as well,
and the "Firehawk" badges on the middle console tell everyone right
away that this is a special car. As Pontiac's top-of-the-line, it's
also loaded with A/C, power windows, locks, seats, and mirrors,
cruise control, a tilt wheel, and a comprehensive gauge package and
dual airbags for added safety. A slick carbon-fiber dipped shifter
manages the 6-speed manual transmission, but other than that it's
all stock inside, including the original AM/FM/Cassette unit in the
center of the dash. Add in the Firehawk logo floor mats, a neatly
finished trunk/cargo area with plenty of space, and the original
T-top inserts, and you get a car that's ready for summer fun.
The Firehawk borrowed the Corvette's 350 cubic inch LT1 V8 which
was then modified by the pros at SLP to produce 310 horsepower. But
that wasn't enough for the former owner of this bird, so the
performance was kicked up a notch with a TPiS throttle body, Pace
Setter heads, and an Accel 300+ racing ignition (owner states the
engine was fully rebuilt around 6k miles ago). It still manages to
look largely stock under the hood, which is in keeping with the
rest of the car, and a good detail under the hood would mean you
could show it off with pride. The powerful block spins a
quick-shifting Borg Warner 6-speed manual transmission, and SLP
modified the suspension to handle the power and ensure that it
handled great through the curves. A glance underneath offers more
proof of clean living, and the vehicle history reports shows zero
accidents, which is always a relief in a car with this much
affordable power on tap. Power steering and power 4-wheel disc
brakes add to the Pontiac's user-friendly nature. Lightweight
5-spoke alloy wheels are a nice upgrade that came stock on the
Firehawk and they carry fat 275/40/17 performance radials at all
four corners.
Look the photos over carefully, then double-check that price and
you'll find that getting this much performance and pedigree in this
condition for so little cash seems to make a lot of sense. Call
today!
