
This is a first year you could order a rear spoiler on the Formula (option code D-80, $32.65). However, a loyal fanbase had developed for both cars of the years, and thanks to the push from Collins and Mair, the Firebird and Camaro soldiered on GM was changing its image from “sporty” to “luxury”, and the company didn’t see where the Camaro and Firebird would fit in. Chief Engineer Bill Collins and Chevrolet Director of Engineering Alex Mair). The Firebird and Camaro were set to be terminated after 1972 if it weren’t for an extensive lobbying campaign led by two men (Pontiac asst. Lead is a fantastic octane booster with high knock resistance – decreasing or removing this from the fuel significantly lowers knock resistance, which requires lower compression ratios to compensate In 1971, the compression ratios for nearly all GM vehicles were dropped significantly to around 8.5:1 to accept unleaded fuel. 2nd gen cars also have superior ride quality compared to 1st gen cars thanks to softer spring rates and a driveshaft tunnel that is higher in the rear, allowing for more suspension travel. This new system no longer induced oversteer and didn’t require nearly as much steering angle during hard cornering
A design change that helped set the 2nd gen Firebird apart from the 1st gen was the front subframe specifically, the location of the steering linkage, which now sat behind the front axle (as opposed to upfront in the 1st gen cars).Overall handling feel (for a production car) was as near to a front-engine racecar as we have ever driven.” Paul Valkenburgh of “Sports Car Graphic” claimed the “Saginaw’s superlative variable-ratio power steering is what really makes it … very minimum roll, instant reactions, and high maximum lateral acceleration. The 2nd generation Firebird was most recognized for its handling, which was raved about in many period road tests.
The iconic Ram Air “Shaker” hood was only available on cars with the 455 HO engine Formulas came standard with the 400ci V8 (shown here). Despite this, Formulas could still be optioned with the same 455 HO running gear found in the Trans Am (in fact, Formulas were available with more engine options than any other Firebird in 1971). Formulas sat right underneath the Trans Am on the performance scale (base model > Esprit (luxury trim) > Formula > Trans Am).