1999 Pontiac Firebird Formula SLP Firehawk is Practically Brand-New
It is not often we see a 20-year old car in factory fresh condition, but a lucky buyer now gets to experience the thrill of a brand new Firehawk two decades on.
Bringing Muscle Back
Many of our beloved muscle cars models from the '60s and early '70s were severely hampered in the coming years by the oil crisis and increasingly stringent emission and fuel mileage standards. As a result, the muscle car species nearly became extinct, but by the mid to late '90s, horsepower was once again on the rise as manufacturers were finally producing cars that got the enthusiast's blood pumping. One of those standouts was the Pontiac Firebird SLP Firehawk as seen here.
Pontiac's Last Go
In 1999 GM was midway through production of their fourth generation Pontiac Firebird that was initially introduced in 1993. Sales had begun to wane by this time as younger buyers began to seek out performance import sports cars instead of homegrown muscle; however, the Firebird would make one last hurrah with a mid-cycle refresh that would see the all-aluminum LS1 engine from the Chevrolet Corvette transplanted into the bird.
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A Performance Partnership
While the Firebird and its various iterations were a force in their own right (especially when equipped with the WS6 package), the Firehawk editions by SLP were among the rarest and most powerful Firebirds offered by Pontiac. SLP (aka Street Legal Performance) was a company that partnered with GM/Pontiac to offer performance tuned vehicles that could be purchased directly through the dealership network. SLP was akin to something like a modern-day AMG (Mercedes) or SRT (Dodge).
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Tuned to your Liking
The SLP Firehawk typically consisted of various performance and visual upgrades such as an improved intake system, free-flowing exhaust, wheel and tire package, suspension package, various fascia/headlight/hood changes, etc. that buyers could opt for. By the end of its production in 2002, power output was up to nearly 350 horsepower. While it may not rival today's muscle cars, it was a definite step forward in performance that turned out to be a hoot to drive.
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A Rare Bird
The 1999 model year saw 719 SLP Firehawks produced. For the first time in 1999, buyers were able to pair the SLP package that was formerly only available on Formula models to the top-tier Trans Am, thus the majority opted for the Trans Am Firehawk (613 units) over the Formula Firehawk (106). As a result, the Formula Firehawks produced between 1999-2002 are some of the rarest 'birds out there.
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Preserved Fresh
Recently, this 1999 T-top SLP Formula Firehawk finished in dark blue over gray leather interior and equipped with a 6-speed manual transmission was a featured auction over at Bring A Trailer. While many are still in love with the fourth-gen Firebirds of any flavor, jaws dropped when this car was advertised as having only 450 original miles on the odometer. Some folks drive 500 miles on their weekly commute, so it is quite astonishing that a car rooted in performance could be preserved for 20 years.
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Options Aplenty
The standard SLP alteration list includes the composite hood with cold air intakes and heat extractors, 17-inch wheels with 275 section Firestone Firehawk tires, stainless exhaust system, and suspension package as well as the obligatory Firehawk badges, plaques, and decals. Additionally, the car was optioned from SLP with chrome wheels, Bilstein suspension components, an Auburn performance differential, and Firehawk floor mats and car cover for an original invoice premium of $7,033.
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Owned By Collectors
The seller, who sounds to have a rather extensive car collection, bought the Firehawk from the original owner in 2016, who was said to have driven the car on a monthly basis to keep its fluids circulating. The original owner and seller have both kept the car in climate-controlled garages and it shows. The car looks as pristine as the day it rolled off of the assembly line.
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Firebird Fondness
The comment section of the auction was filled with stories and nostalgia of Firehawk cars, which goes to show the impact that these special edition vehicles had on enthusiasts. The seller explains that he drives his exotics much more than the Firehawk as he could not bring himself to put miles on it because it was a rare and emotional purchase for him.
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To Park or To Drive?
The sale of the Firehawk included all original paperwork, manuals, documentation, and even service records since the car was new. When the gavel finally fell, the high bid was a respectable $30,000 that many believed was a good buy, but an equally good showing for Firehawk values. Perhaps the question that all of us are really curious about is if this car will finally get driven in anger or if it will continue to spend the rest of eternity preserved in a collection...
>>Join the conversation about this 1999 Firehawk for sale right here in the LS1 Tech Forum!
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