What do you classify a 1979 Firebird as?

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Actually - at the time, they were called 'sports coupes' (along with the camaro).

Muscle cars are generally considered to have been built between 1966 and 1971 (because in 1972 the govt. changed the emmissions laws and gas got expensive at the same time - so, the car companies downsized the motors they were building).

Pony car is a term originally used to mean the mustang and it's copycats (small two door, sporty cars with small engines but pretty good performance). I know people still use it but it applies only to a small segment of the car industry, usually to cars built in the late 60's to late 70's.

So in answer to your question (finally!) -

It could be called a sports coupe, or a sports car (if it has a performance engine and equipment), if it has the small engine and auto transmission it's a pony car. Even if it has a huge motor and racing tires a purist wouldn't call it a muscle car 'cause it just doesn't fit the mold....Show more

It's not a sports car. Sports cars are supposed to be 2-seaters.

It could be considered a muscle car but cars in the mid 70's to early 90's weren't too muscular. So you could use that term if you really wanted, even though I probably wouldn't. Definately don't use it if you have a 6 cylinder engine.

Your car could be considered a pony car. A pony car is basically an affordable, sporty car that is marketed to younger drivers. American cars are usually implied. These include mustangs, camaros, firebirds, etc.

A lot of times "pony car" and "muscle car" can describe the same vehicle....Show more

It is not a muscle car. It is not really a sports car. It is not even close to what pony cars were. It is a sporty car. The seventies were very unkind to muscle cars because of emissions regulations and a fuel crisis. Mustangs, Camaros, Corvettes, and Firebirds all started off as sporty and sometimes could be considered muscle cars depending on their engines, but by 1973, they were just overweight underpowered sleds with slick graphics and giant birds on the hoods. All show, no go. Not until the 90s did we get true performance again....Show more

I would probably call it a pony car, muscle cars kinda quit in the early 70's, sports cars well they are decent looking and very fast, my self 79 firebird is butt ugly so therefore I would give it the pony class. just my opinion though good kuck on your new purchase....Show more

it was classified as a sport coupe. i owned and restored a 1977 formula firebird with the 403 (6.6L) olds V-8, turbo 350
trans, and a 3.08 limited slip rear end. in stock form the 403 is 178 hp at the crank but had 400+ft lbs of torque. after i restored it the hood scoops went from hood ornaments to
fully functioning air intakes to force feed air to the now
500hp(net, to the tires) 403 v-8. it would hit 60 in 5 seconds
and 1/4 mile at 12.2 speed of 117mph....Show more