Third Generation 1982-1992 Complete new chassis design with suspension consisting of a front shock and rear strut design, and rear hatchback glass All new aerodynamic body design New interior design with later models offering digital dash display option Engines offered were 4cyl inline, 2.8L V6, 5.0L V8, and 5.7L V8 Computer controlled fuel injection; throttle body and tuned port 5-speed manual and 4-speed automatic overdrive transmissions available Model lineup which consisted of a base Firebird, Formula(1987-1992), and Trans Am 1983 Special Edition Recaro NASCAR 25th Anniversary Pace Car 1984 Special Edition 15th anniversary Trans am; package consisted of white exterior w/blue decals, special turbo hood, white painted turbo wheels, Recaro leather and cloth interior in Lt. Sand Gray, white leather wrapped steering wheel and shifter Trans Am GTA option package available from 1987-1992 Convertible top available in 1991 and 1992 Firehawk option package first available in 1992 1989 Special Edition Turbo Trans Am 20th Anniversary and Indy Pace Car Click On Picture For Details Click On Picture For Details 1969 Trans Am 1st Generation 1970-81 Trans Am 2nd Generation 1982-92 Trans Am 3rdGeneration 1993-02 Trans Am 4th Generation The third generation Firebird was all new in many ways from the previous generation. A full unibody hatchback body replaced the subframe construction of the second generation.  The Firebird also received all new sheetmetal that was different from the Camaro. However, under the skin, the Firebird was now even more like the Camaro.  Pontiac was forced to use GM corporate engines (which were really Chevy engines) instead of the previous Pontiac engines. A large part of its uniqueness was gone, and to add insult to injury, the V-8 supplied by Chevy were very under powered.  While the new cars were lighter, they were actually slower than any other Trans Am cars.  It would take several years, to reverse the course. 1982 Trans Am The third generation Firebird was introduced in 1982 featuring all new sheetmetal. The front end sported hidden headlights and sleak styling. The model lineup was simplified to Base, luxury-oriented S/E and Trans Am. Base cars started with the obnoxiously loud, rough, and underpowered "Iron Duke" 2.5 liter OHV inline four cylinder Engine rated at a truly pathetic 90 bhp. Most buyers wisely opted for either the S/E's standard 2.8 liter OHV V6 rated at a still-pathetic 105 bhp or one of the V8s. Optional in the Base and S/E models and standard in the Trans Am was a 5.0 liter (305 cid) V8 with four barrel carb rated at 145 bhp and which could be matched up to either a four-speed manual transmission or three-speed automatic. Optional in the Trans Am was the trouble-plagued "Cross-Fire Injection" version of the Engine which used Throttle Body Injection to crank out 165 bhp, but it was only available with the automatic transmission. But the big news for Firebird fans was the debut of "Kitt", a talking Black Trans Am that co-stared with actor David Hasselhoff on the hit TV show "Kight Ridder", which further increased the Firebird's popularity. Production: Trans Am: 52,960   1982 Trans Am 5.0 SE 1982 Trans Am 5.0 Knight Rider 1982 Trans Am MSE Motor Sports Edition By Mecham Racing 1982 Trans Am 5.0 1982 Trans Am 5.0 SE  1982 Trans Am 5.0 1982 Trans Am 5.0 1982 Firebird Autoforms Convertible   1983 Trans Am Not much changed visually for 1983, but under the hood, things were definitely improving. The S/E's V6 saw its output rise to 125 bhp and a five-speed manual was now available. A new "L69" 5.0 liter V8 with four barrel carb appeared mid-year with available five-speed manual rated at a somewhat respectable 190 bhp. A new four speed automatic transmission also was available. Production: Trans Am: 31,930 1983 Trans Am 5.0 1983 Trans Am 5.0 Daytona Pace Car 1983 Trans Am 5.0 Daytona Pace Car 1983 Trans Am 5.0 Daytona Pace Car 1983 Trans Am 5.0 MSE 1983 Trans Am 5.0 MSE 1983 Trans Am 5.0 MSE 1983 Trans Am 1983 Trans Am 1983 Trans Am 1983 Firebird Autoforms Convertible 1983 Firebird Autoforms Convertible   1984 Trans Am Not much changed for 1984 except for the expanded availability of the L69 Engine and the discontinuation of the Cross-Fire Injection V8. A special white with blue trim 15th Anniversary Trans Am was offered that featured Recaro seats.  Oh yea, there was this new TV show called Knight Rider.  It started a Black Custom car, called "KITT".  The rest was history. Production: Trans Am: 55,374 1984 Trans Am 5.0 SE 1984 Trans Am 5.0 SE 1984 Trans Am 5.0 1984 Trans Am 5.0 1984 Trans Am 5.0 1984 Trans Am 5.0 1984 Trans Am 5.0 1984 Trans Am 5.0 1984 Trans Am 5.0 1984 Trans Am 5.0 1984 Trans Am 5.0 1984 Trans Am 5.0 1984 Trans Am Knight Rider 1984 Trans Am Recaro Edition 1984 Trans Am Recaro Edition 1984 Trans Am Recaro Edition 1984 Trans Am 1984 Trans Am 5.0 15th Anniversary 1984 Trans Am 5.0 15th Anniversary 1984 Trans Am 5.0 15th Anniversary 1984 Trans Am 5.0 15th Anniversary 1984 Trans Am Autoforms 2 Seat Roadster 1984 Trans Am Autoforms 2 Seat Roadster 1984 Trans Am Convertible 1984 Trans Am Autoforms 2 Seat Roadster 1984 Trans Am Autoforms 2 Seat Roadster 1984 Trans Am Autoforms 2 Seat Roadster 1984 Trans Am Autoforms 2 Seat Roadster   1985 Trans Am The 1985 Firebird featured a restyled nose, new taillights, and full rocker and quarter panel extensions on the Trans Am to give it a more aggressive appearance. The 5.0 liter V8 was now available with Tuned Port Injection (TPI) which allowed it to produce 205 bhp, although it could only be equiped with the four-speed automatic. A new WS6 suspension package was made available on the Trans Am, which also included 16-inch wheels with huge P245/50VR16 Goodyear "Gatorback" tires. Production: Trans Am: 44,028 1985 Trans Am 5.0 1985 Trans Am 5.0 1985 Trans Am 5.0 1985 Trans Am 5.0 1985 Trans Am 5.0  1985 Trans Am 5.0  1985 Trans Am Autoforms 2 Seat Roadster 1985 Trans Am Convertible By Auto Forms 1985 Trans Am Convertible By Auto Forms 1985 Trans Am Convertible By Auto Forms 1985 Trans Am Convertible By Auto Forms 1985 Trans Am Convertible By Auto Forms   1986 Trans Am A Federally Mandated Center High Mounted Stop Light (CHMSL) installed in a blister atop the rear hatch's glass was the only real change for 1986. Production: Trans Am: 48,870 1986 Trans Am 5.0 1986 Tojan Trans Am 1986 Tojan Trans Am Rear Spoiler   1986 Trans Am 5.0 1986 Trans Am 5.0 1986 Trans Am 5.0 1986 Trans Am Convertible By Auto Forms 1986 Trans Am Convertible By Auto Forms 1986 Trans Am Convertible By Auto Forms   1987 Trans Am A new 5.7 liter (350 cid) V8 with Throttle Body Injection was the big news for 1987. Although rated at just 210 bhp (15 less than the Camaro due to a more restrictive intake), and only available with the four speed automatic transmission, the Engine's high torque rating and flexibility made it the best Engine ever yet installed in a 3rd generation Firebird. Furthermore, the 5.0 liter TPI Engine was now available with a manual transmission. To further improve the Firebird, Pontiac eliminated the S/E model, the CHMSL bump (it was now incorporated into the spoiler), and the pathetic four cylinder Engine. A new budget performance model, the Formula 305, joined the lineup as well as a new top of the line Trans Am called the GTA. Production: Trans Am: 21,788 GTA: 11,102 1987 Trans Am GTA 5.7 1987 Trans Am GTA 5.7 1987 Trans Am GTA 5.7 1987 Trans Am 1987 Trans Am 1987 Trans Am Convertible 1987 Trans Am GTA Convertible 1987 Trans Am GTA 5.7   1988 Trans Am There were a few changes for 1988 including a new steering wheel, new wheels for the Formulas, and new radios. The carbureted 5.0 V8 finally disappeared. Production: Trans Am: 8,793 GTA: 11,214 1988 Trans Am 5.0 1988 Trans Am GTA 5.7 1988 Trans Am GTA 5.7 1988 Trans Am GTA 5.7   1988 Trans Am 5.0 1988 Trans Am 1988 Trans Am 5.7 1988 Trans Am 5.7 1988 Trans Am 5.7 1988 Trans Am 5.7 1988 Trans Am 1988 Trans Am 5.7 1988 Trans Am 1988 Trans Am 5.7 1988 Trans Am 5.7 Rare Hatchback   1989 Trans Am Pontiac created a special 20th Anniversary edition Trans Am for 1989 by raiding the Buick parts bin. Pontiac took the Buick turbo-charged 3.8 liter V6 (which had gained fame under the hoods of Buick Gran Nationals and GNX), modified the cylinder heads and turbo plumbing, and squeezed it into the Firebird Engine bay and hooked it up to a mandatory four-speed automatic transmission. Pontiac conservatively rated the Engine at 250 bhp, but most independent testers felt that it made more. This turbo charged beast was relatively easy to live with and truly fast. Furthermore, Trans Am GTAs could also be ordered with a notchback-style hatch, that gave the car the look of a coupe. Production: Trans Am: 5,727 GTA: 9,631 1989 Turbo Trans Am 20th Anniversary Edition 1989 Turbo Trans Am 20th Anniversary Edition 1989 Turbo Trans Am 20th Anniversary Edition 1989 Turbo Trans Am 20th Anniversary Edition 1989 Turbo Trans Am 20th Anniversary Edition 1989 Turbo Trans Am 20th Anniversary Edition With Pace car decals 1989 Trans Am GTA 5.7 1989 Trans Am GTA 5.7 1989 Trans Am GTA 5.7 1989 Trans Am GTA 5.7 1989 Trans Am GTA 5.7 Convertible 1989 Trans Am GTA 5.7 1989 Trans Am GTA 5.7 1989 Trans Am GTA 5.7 Convertible 1989 Knight Rider Trans Am 1989 Formula 350 1989 Bandit II SE   1990 Trans Am   Production: Trans Am: 1,060 GTA: 1,447 1990 Trans Am 5.7 1990 Trans Am 5.7 1990 Formula 5.7 1990 Trans Am GTA 5.7 1990 Trans Am 5.7   1991 Trans Am A new nose was introduced for 1991; some thought it was ugly, others thought it made the Firebird more aggressive. The big news was the return of the convertible Firebird, the first since 1969. Everything else was carry over. Production: Trans Am: 4,013 GTA: 2,915 1991 Trans Am GTA 5.7 1991 Trans Am GTA 5.7 1991 Trans Am Convertible 1991 Trans Am GTA 5.7 1991 Trans Am GTA 5.7 1991 Trans Am GTA 5.7 1991 Trans Am GTA 5.7 1991 Trans Am GTA 5.7 1991 Trans Am GTA 5.7 1991 Tojan Trans Am   1992 Trans Am There were only small changes for the 1992 Firebird, the last year of the 3rd generation. GM added some adhesive to the joints and panels of the car's structure to quiet squeaks and rattles, and the Performance Equipment Group boosted the TPI 5.7 liter V8 to 230 bhp. Production: Trans Am: 1,693 GTA: 508 1992 Trans Am Convertible 5.7 1992 Trans Am GTA 5.7 1992 Trans Am GTA 5.7 1992 Trans Am GTA 5.7 Convertible 1992 Trans Am GTA 5.7 Convertible 1992 Trans Am GTA 5.7 Convertible 1992 Trans Am GTA 5.7 Convertible 1992 Trans Am GTA 5.7 Convertible 1992 Trans Am GTA 5.7 Convertible 1992 Formula 5.7 1992 Firehawk 1992 Firehawk   Click On Picture For Details Click On Picture For Details 1969 Trans Am 1st Generation 1970-81 Trans Am 2nd Generation 1982-92 Trans Am 3rdGeneration 1993-02 Trans Am 4th Generation