1990 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am

The 1990 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am marked the start of a new decade, though it did so with a sense of anticlimax. Sales were disappointing, but the focus shifted primarily to safety and engine upgrades. The top-tier 5.7-liter V-8, included in the GTA model, saw an improvement to 235 horsepower. Pontiac boasted that the $23,320 GTA could accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in just 6.5 seconds.

Pontiac Firebird Image Gallery

The base Firebird engine for 1990 was a 140-horsepower 3.1-liter V-6, replacing the previous 135-horsepower 2.8-liter V-6. The high-performance 5.0-liter V-8 engines received an update to their fuel-injection systems, with all V-8 engines now utilizing speed-density metering in their tuned-port injection setups.

All Firebirds came equipped with a standard driver-side airbag, which meant that steering-wheel radio controls were no longer available as an option. Cars with power windows were also fitted with door map pockets that featured integrated cupholders. While split-folding rear seatbacks were discontinued, the one-piece fold-down seatback remained in place.

Declining sales were attributed to a variety of factors, including the Firebird's minimally updated design, high insurance rates, and subpar build quality. Performance models, in particular, became known for their rough ride and unstable handling on slick roads, despite their capability in tight corners.

Production for the 1990 model year dropped to just over 20,000 units—less than a third of the 1989 total. However, Pontiac had a possible solution in the works. A significant facelift inspired by the aggressive aero design of the Banshee concept car was set to be available to the public before the end of the 1990 season. Although there was talk of a turbocharged GTA, it was ultimately scrapped. Nevertheless, the partial restyling gave the Firebird a final shot at the market before it underwent a complete redesign.

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