Early promotional cars were marked "T/A" as an alternative, however it was decided that doing so might cause more problems than it was worth and the "Trans Am" nameplate remained.

The newly designed side view mirror housings, made of light alloy metal, were almost cone shaped, with the point facing the wind.

The all-new suspension design was more advanced and aggressive than anything Detroit had offered previously, easily rivaling the Corvette's handling abilities, (but not its sophistication).

The interior now featured aircraft inspired details and gauges, using both fake and real Torx head screws that fastened the dash and console trim panels.

A 3-spoke steering wheel was used and featured a clear plastic 3D Firebird logo button, mounted in the center of the horn pad, with optional leather grip.

14-inch turbo cast aluminum wheels were standard on the S/E and Trans Am models and featured smooth plastic hubcaps with a Pontiac "Arrowhead" in the center.

A dark-tinted version of the base Firebird's tail lights were fitted to the rear of the car and also featured a Silver or Gold "Screaming Eagle" (Phoenix) between them.

Rubber "Mini-Spats" (stone deflectors) were mounted just before the front and rear wheels, and were toned down from the 70's design used on the earlier second generation Trans Am.

It also served as an evil doppelganger called the Knight Automated Roving Robot or KARR, voiced by Peter Cullen, and later by Paul Frees.

[10] A red 1982 third generation Firebird Trans Am appeared as the main protagonist’s car in Data East’s 1985 interactive movie video game Road Blaster.

The interior featured red gauge lighting, leather-clad steering wheel, shifter knob, and brake handle, a special dash plaque, "Daytona 500" floor-mats, and two-tone grey leather/suede Recaro seats.

The Firebird's interior options and design remained virtually unchanged for 1984, the only exceptions being a slightly revised dashpad, with screwed-in speaker grilles, an optional driver's knee pad bolster on the left side of the center console for manual cars, the T-tops were also redesigned to use a pin-mounting arrangement, rather than the earlier latch-based setup, and a new 1-piece horncap embossed with the Firebird logo replaced the earlier medallion version.

The only drivetrain changes made for the 1984 model year were the deletion of the Trans Am only EFI Crossfire 305, a hydraulic clutch was now used on the T-5 Borg-Warner 5-speed manual transmission, and on L69 equipped cars, a lightweight flywheel, and an aluminum bellhousing were employed.

It received a new special hood, similar to the new Trans Am hood except with only the front vents, the new Trans Am tail light design, color-coded Firebird logo medallions on the sail panels, (similar to the '83/'84 Recaro version), and a color-coded rear Firebird logo on the center section of the tail lights.

All Firebirds received center, high-mounted stop lamps to comply with Federal legislation; these were placed on top of the back hatch window.

All center, high-mounted stop lamps were relocated to a new position under the glass on the deck lid, and the large Firebird hood emblem disappeared forever.

All V8s now received factory roller camshafts, and faced with consumer demands for more power, GM officially released the new 5.7L with tuned port fuel injection.

However, due to fuel economy restrictions mandated by the EPA, a convertible Firebird would have been assessed a $1200 Gas Guzzler Tax because the LB9 & L98 when paired with a Trans Am or GTA would have been lower than 22.5 average MPG.

As popularity increased and car became lighter & more aerodynamic for the 1991 model year, the process was simplified as Pontiac offered a convertible through normal dealer ordering channels via RPO's.

Through a partnership between Pontiac and an engineering firm called Prototype Automotive Services (PAS), the Trans Am GTA was equipped with a more powerful version of the turbocharged Buick 3.8 L V6, originally developed for the Buick Regal Grand National, and the Turbo Trans Am (TTA) became the vehicle Pontiac supplied to pace the Indianapolis 500.

Early in 1989, Motor Trend ran their top speed test article "Flat-out Fastest American Cars II-the Sequel".

[18] Perhaps more importantly than the performance tests provided by the industry magazines was the fact that these cars were capable of much faster acceleration times – with minimal modifications.

In addition, the TTA was relatively economical to drive; it returned 24 mpg on the highway, while the only cars (besides the Lotus Esprit Turbo SE) that could approach its performance at the time (Ferraris, Lamborghinis, etc.)

As has been proven to be the case in subsequent years, relying on a small engine for cruising, and a turbocharger for power, provides an exciting driving experience while returning impressive fuel mileage.

Although not an exhaustive comparison, these claims would seem to be supported by a simple examination of the weight-to-power ratios of both models: a 225 hp Formula at a curb weight of 3,300 lb (1,497 kg) versus a 235 hp Trans Am GTA at a curb weight of 3,600 lb (1,633 kg); the weight-to-power ratio for the Formula is 14.67 lb/hp compared to 15.32 lb/hp for the Trans Am GTA.

The system was adapted from GM's higher-end Corvette and Cadillac vehicles in response to an escalating trend among car thieves to target the Camaro and Firebird.

The LB9 and L98 platforms were updated with new speed density fuel injection, and the elimination of the MAF sensor reduced production costs and supposedly improved performance.

For the 1991 model year, all Firebirds received restyled noses loosely fashioned after the "Banshee IV" show car while Pontiac was developing the all-new fourth-generation platform.

Of those 25 Firehawks, 21 were "Mandatory" Red, 1 Aqua, 1 White, 1 Blue, and 1 Green; 11 had the Competition Package, 3 came with aluminum engine blocks, 1 had T-Tops, and 1 was a convertible.

Standard Features: $39,995 Competition Package: $9,995 Engine: Performance:(according to SLP brochure) Motor Trend test results:[22] This marked the final production year for the Third Generation platform.