Serving as the Pontiac counterpart of the Chevrolet Monza, the Sunbird was offered as a two-door notchback coupé and three-door hatchback and station wagon.

Serving as the Pontiac counterpart of the Chevrolet Cavalier, the Sunbird was marketed at various times as a two-door notchback coupé or convertible, three-door hatchback, four-door sedan, and five-door station wagon.

The Pontiac counterpart of the Chevrolet Monza,[1] the Sunbird was sportier than the Astre, competing against the Ford Mustang II, Mercury Capri and imported vehicles such as the Toyota Celica and Volkswagen Scirocco.

The first-generation Sunbird uses the GM subcompact H-body platform,[2] sharing its 97-inch wheelbase with the Astre.

Using a rear-wheel drive configuration, the Sunbird is fitted with coil springs for all four wheels, using short and long control arms for the front suspension and a torque-arm live rear axle rear suspension; both axles are fitted with an anti-roll bar.

For its 1976 introduction, the Sunbird shared its standard engine with the Astre/Vega, using a Chevrolet-designed 2.3-litre inline-four, producing 78 hp (58 kW) with a standard one-barrel carburetor; an optional two-barrel carburetor increased output to 87 hp (65 kW).

For 1977, the engine line was revised, with a Pontiac-developed 151 cubic-inch "Iron Duke" inline-four introduced; 90 hp (67 kW) was produced with a two-barrel carburetor.

For 1977, a three-door hatchback version of the Sunbird was introduced, shared with the Chevrolet Monza, Buick Skyhawk, and Oldsmobile Starfire.

Appearing as a sedan, coupe, wagon or hatchback, the J2000 was powered by a carbureted, overhead valve cast-iron 1.8-litre four-cylinder engine.

[4][5] During the year, this engine was joined by a new 1.8-litre four, a single overhead-cam unit with an aluminum head imported from GM of Brazil.

The J2000 shared GM's internationally used J-Body platform with the Chevrolet Cavalier, Oldsmobile Firenza, Buick Skyhawk, and Cadillac Cimarron in North America.

[4] The suspension was shared with the front-wheel-drive Phoenix and 6000, which consisted of MacPherson struts, lower control arms, coil springs and a stabilizer bar for the front, while a solid beam axle, trailing arms, variable-rate coil springs for the rear suspension on all body styles were unique to the J2000.

A five-speed manual was newly optional along with adjustable and reclining bucket seats sourced from Lear Siegler which were also installed in the Firebird, Chevrolet Camaro and Buick Grand National.

[4] Based on the standard 1.8L inline-four that powered other 2000 Sunbirds, it used multi-port fuel injection, for a total output of 150 hp (110 kW).

The rear fascia was redesigned in 1988, composite headlights were installed on base models, coupes got a new semi-fastback roof line, and the four-speed manual was discontinued.

The base model initially had the 1984–87 front fascia with exposed sealed beam headlamps.

The Sunbird SE coupe, SE sedan and the GT coupe and convertible had four partially concealed sealed beam headlamps, a feature that originally appeared on the Isuzu Impulse, that gave the appearance of "raised eyebrows" when the headlights were on.

GM discontinued the Sunbird Safari station wagon, and 1988 was the last year models were offered.

For 1990, the GT and SE coupes received a smoother front fascia with hidden headlamps.

NOTE: The intake manifold casting is a bit thick and responds well to port matching the head with a stock felpro gasket.

The Sunbird GT model was introduced in 1986 as a coupe, sedan, convertible or hatchback with a 1.8 L Garrett T25 turbocharged inline-four engine of the Family II range (LA5) as standard equipment but was never installed with an intake intercooler.

[4] All turbos were also equipped with the WS6 performance handling package, 28mm front stabilizer bar, 21mm rear stabilizer bar, 14" aluminum alloy wheels, turbo boost gauge, four speed manual transmission, or optional automatic transmission, and a tachometer.

[4] The 150 hp (112 kW) and 150 lb⋅ft (203 N⋅m) of torque 1.8-liter turbo engine had been available since 1984 as standard equipment in the SE and optional in the base model and LE except the station wagon.

While sharing chassis underpinnings with Sunbird, Opel and Vauxhall used their own powertrains and a slightly different exterior design; a 5-door hatchback was exclusive to the European market.