1972 Pontiac Firebird

During a 1972 strike the Firebird and the similar F body Camaro were nearly dropped, and the 1972 model year saw minor cosmetic changes, with a hexagonal honeycomb grille insert on the nose. In 1972 the industry changed the way engines were rated, replacing gross horsepower with net, and Pontiac advertised the 1972 455 HO as detuned to 300 horsepower though the engine was unchanged from 1971. From 1972 until 1977 the Firebird was only produced at the Norwood, Ohio facility.