Meet the Sunbird, Pontiac’s sporty rear-drive compact for 1980 in this original dealer film—just before it went out of production.
Car enthusiasts have developed a name for the period between 1972 and 1995, roughly: the Malaise Era. The label, we can suppose, arises from President Jimmy Carter’s famous 1979 “malaise” speech (though he never actually used the word). At the time, the Motor City’s automakers were fighting a powerful headwind generated by stricter emissions and safety standards, double-digit inflation, and an often weak economy. The result was a generation of American cars, underpowered and sometimes lackluster, that might not be the greatest the industry has ever produced. Still, the malaise-era cars have their admirers, and an enthusiastic collector scene.
Take for example the Pontiac Sunbird. Introduced in 1976, it was based on the General Motors H-body platform, and thus a cousin to the Chevrolet Vega. The Sunbird was also a virtual clone of the Chevy Monza, Oldsmobile Starfire, and Buick Skyhawk, all remarkably similar cars except for minor styling and trim distinctions. In 1980 the Pontiac version was available as a notchback Coupe, Sport Coupe, or a slope-roofed three-door Sport Hatch, and all are featured in the five-minute dealer film we’re sharing here.
For the 1980 model year the Sunbird was a lame duck, so to speak, as this would be its final year in the Pontiac lineup. (The name would return on a different platform.) With its massive driveline tunnel, the rear-wheel drive package gobbled up interior volume, and the X-body, front-drive Phoenix introduced that same year offered superior packaging. But for buyers who preferred rear-wheel drive (and the optional 3.8-liter V6 with 115 hp) the Sunbird offered a sporty and attractive alternative—and fewer mechanical bugs than the X-body cars in their first years of production. Video below.
The only new car I’ve ever bought was a ‘79 just like that yellow one but blue. 4 on the floor, 231 Buick V6. It was a fun car, but a stupid purchase.
If I had coughed up a few more grand I could have bought a used Mercedes Pagoda or a Saab 900. 🙄
Nice, attractive models. Too bad about the cars.
Looks like a Pontiac Mini-Theater classic. Produced by GM Photographic in conjunction with business comms firm WMTD, later known as Intergroup Marketing and Promotions. Mini Theater became embroiled in scandal when it was revealed the kiosks and projectors (of marginal reliability) were supplied by a company owned by Pete Estes’ son. I have a few of these films rescued from the company library before scrapping, alas, no way to play ir transfer.
Ragtop Man, are they Super 8?
I bought new the Chevrolet version of this car. No options whatever. No AC, no automatic, no PS. You would think GM could build such a car with no problems.
Car was constantly in the shop. Never did fix the carburetor. Rattles and a feeling I was driving a work out tin can caused me to go to Ford and never look back at GM.
Guy I worked with had the Monza fastback. With the V8, the engine had to be lifted to change spark plugs!
I remember hearing about a technicial service bulletin that had techs using hole saw to make access holes to get to the spark plugs that were otherwise inaccessible.
Remember, the body that came out as the Monza, etc. was originally planned to have a rotary engine. GM dropped its plans to develop a rotary engine.
When there was a huge demand for small cars in the middle ’70s, GM adopted this body to be a rear drive car with conventional engines. Buick had just gotten the V6 back from American Motors and used it in the Buick Sky
hawk and Oldsmobile Starfire.
Chevrolet used a 4 cylinder and a V8 in the Monza.
had one of these for a short time around 1986, it was a good little car but I wrecked it goofing around and had to get another car to beat on
Good looking sport hatch, especially the Olds Starfire version. Too bad that sleek body was cover for Vega internals.