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| Pontiac Phoenix | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Overview | |
| Manufacturer | Pontiac |
| Model years | 1977–1984 |
| Body and chassis | |
| Class | Compact |
| Chronology | |
| Predecessor | Pontiac Ventura |
| Successor | Pontiac Grand Am |
ThePontiac Phoenix was acompact car that was sold from 1977 to 1984 byPontiac. There were two generations of the Phoenix, both based on popularChevrolet models, and both using theGM X platform designation. It was named for the mythologicalPhoenix, which would die in a self-inflicted fire and be reborn from the ashes. The Phoenix was replaced by theGrand Am in 1985.
| First generation | |
|---|---|
 1978 Pontiac Phoenix LJ Coupe | |
| Overview | |
| Production | 1976–1979 |
| Model years | 1977–1979 |
| Assembly | North Tarrytown Assembly,Tarrytown, New York Willow Run Assembly,Ypsilanti, Michigan |
| Body and chassis | |
| Body style | 2-doorcoupe 3-doorhatchback 4-doorsedan |
| Layout | Front-engine, rear-wheel drive |
| Platform | X-body |
| Related | Chevrolet Nova Oldsmobile Omega Buick Skylark |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | 151 cu in (2.5 L)Iron DukeI4 231 cu in (3.8 L)BuickV6 305 cu in (5.0 L)Chevrolet LG3V8 350 cu in (5.7 L)Chevrolet 350 V8 |
| Transmission | 3-speedmanual 4-speed manual 3-speedTHM350automatic |
| Dimensions | |
| Wheelbase | 111.1 in (2,821.9 mm) |
| Length | 203.4 in (5,166.4 mm) |
| Width | 72.4 in (1,839.0 mm) |
Therear-wheel drive Phoenix was introduced for 1977[1] as an upscale version of thePontiac Ventura, and replaced the Ventura entirely for 1978.[1] The Phoenix differed from the Ventura in only minor details such as the grille and its square headlights and yellow rear turn signals. The Phoenix was available as a 2-doorcoupe or a 4-doorsedan, with a 3-doorhatchback available beginning in 1978. There were two trim levels available, the base and LJ, with a performance-oriented SJ package as an option.
Available engines included Pontiac's then-new 151 cu in (2.5 L)Iron DukeI4, a 110 hp (82 kW) 231 cu in (3.8 L)BuickV6, a 140 hp (104 kW) 305 cu in (5.0 L)ChevroletLG3 V8, and a 350 cu in (5.7 L)Chevrolet V8. Transmission choices included a 3-speed manual (available with either column or floor shift), 4-speed manual, or a 3-speedTurbo-Hydramatic automatic.
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| Second generation | |
|---|---|
 1980 Phoenix hatchback | |
| Overview | |
| Production | 1979–1984 |
| Model years | 1980–1984 |
| Assembly | Oklahoma City Assembly,Oklahoma City,Oklahoma North Tarrytown Assembly, North Tarrytown, New York |
| Body and chassis | |
| Body style | 2-doorcoupe 5-doorhatchback |
| Layout | Transverse front-engine, front-wheel drive |
| Platform | X-body |
| Related | Chevrolet Citation Oldsmobile Omega Buick Skylark |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | 2.5 LIron DukeI4 2.8 LLE2V6 2.8 LLH7 V6 |
| Transmission | 4-speed manual 3-speedTH125 automatic |
| Dimensions | |
| Wheelbase | 104.9 in (2,664.5 mm) |
For 1980, the Phoenix was downsized and moved to thefront-wheel driveX platform, and was available as a 2-doorcoupe or a 5-doorhatchback. It was the first front-wheel drive production model from Pontiac. The base and LJ models were still available for this generation, as was the SJ trim package; the SJ package was made as a full trim level for 1982.[2] There was a minor exterior refresh and a new PJ model for 1983, followed by a name change for the LJ and SJ to LE and SE, respectively, for the 1984 model year.
Available engines were a 2.5 LIron Duke4-cylinder, carried over from the previous Phoenix, and a new 2.8 LLE2 V6, both of which were mated to a standard 4-speed manual transmission or optional 3-speed automatic. The high-output 2.8 LLH7 V6 was standard on the Phoenix SJ/SE for 1982[2] and was available as an option for all other Phoenix models.
As with its sister cars (theChevrolet Citation,Buick Skylark andOldsmobile Omega), the Phoenix's image suffered because of poor workmanship,[1] two recalls for 1981,[3] anda dangerous tendency for the car to lock the rear wheels upon emergency braking (1980 models only).
The Phoenix was replaced for 1985 by a revivedGrand Am[1] on the front-wheel driveGM N-body platform, while the Phoenix's basic architecture lived on under theA-bodyPontiac 6000, which was introduced in 1982.
A division ofGeneral Motors, 1926–2010 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Production models (by year of introduction) |
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