1992 Pontiac Firehawk - Mean Green Dream Machine

Pontiac built more than 2.5 million Firebirds during a production run that spanned five decades, and even though the last Firebird rolled off the assembly line in 2002, they remain among the most recognizable vehicles on American roadways.

Unfortunately, the Third-Gen Firebird seemingly draws the least amount of respect from enthusiasts and collectors. That might be due partly to the fact that its introduction came not only at an industry-wide performance low point, but also when Pontiac discontinued its V-8, leaving various forms of Chevrolet's 305 as the Firebird's top powerplant for several years.

Though the Firebird regained much of its bite as horsepower rebounded and the Tuned-Port 350 debuted in the mid-'80s, it remained seemingly overshadowed by its Pontiac-powered Second-Gen brethren. It wasn't until Street Legal Performance (SLP) in Toms River, New Jersey, went a step beyond by transforming the Formula into a fire-breathing Firehawk that became capable of preying on most of its predecessors and attained Third-Gen dream-car status.

Firehawk Basics
As we learned in "The Birth of a Legend: Formula Firehawk" (HPP, Sept. '05), the Firehawk was introduced in midyear 1991 as an optional package available through any local area Pontiac dealer. Beginning with a typical 1LE Formula 350, SLP added a host of upgrades during the conversion process, which brought the final vehicle selling price to a whopping $39,995. What buyers received, however, was a stealthy predator that was perfect for street, dragstrip, or road-course competition.

At the heart of the beast was a 350hp 350ci engine backed by a six-speed manual transmission and a Dana rear axle. The factory-installed 1LE suspension was left unchanged, but 17x9.5-inch wheels and 275/40ZR17 tires were included in the base package. A Competition Option package ($9,995) included such features as a Recaro driver seat with Simpson five-point racing harness; four-piston Brembo front brake calipers and 13-inch cross-drilled rotors; a six-point rollbar; and an aluminum hood.

Initial production plans included a total vehicle count of 250 during the '91 and '92 model years, but unforeseen issues and tough economic times limited sold cars to just 25. All Firehawks were to have a Bright Red exterior with Medium Gray cloth interior, but SLP began receiving requests for cars in other regular-production Firebird finishes, which subsequently lead to four uniquely colored Formula Firehawks-one in Dark Green Metallic.

A Dream Come True
Bruce Hawkins of Easley, South Carolina, has been an automotive enthusiast his entire life and had taken keen interest in Third-Gen F-bodies early on. "I've always been drawn to Firebirds and Camaros from that era, especially those equipped with the 1LE package," says the 31-year-old business owner. "But the '91-'92 Firehawk was what I really dreamed of owning. They have a muscular look with performance to back it up. To me, they're the ultimate Third-Gen."

With so few Formula Firehawks built in 1991 and 1992, they seldom appear in classifieds and when they do, the asking price oftentimes reflects their limited production numbers. Bruce says he first saw Firehawk No. 24 in Hemmings Motor News in late 1999. "It was advertised at a price that I really couldn't afford, but I still called to inquire and learn more about it. It's at that point my quest of owning unique Third-Gen Firebirds began."