The Firebird is not the one owned by Pontiac, but the one that GM built in 1953 for the first time. This year, GM engineers mounted a jet fighter fuselage on four wheels while installing a 370-horsepower turbo engine. It was the first car in the United States to use a jet turbine engine, and it was first tested in 1953 and worked well, achieving a speed of 160 km/h, but the driver, Mr. Conklin, was convinced that it could still run faster, because when he hung up on 2nd gear (only two gears), the body was still vigorously pushed out of the track, which showed that it also had a lot of remaining power reserves. The 1134 kg body and glass bubble cockpit make it a fantastic presence, but the problem is not to stand at the rear of the car after it is started, and the Firebird I exhaust temperature is as high as 677 degrees.
Firebird I
In 1965, the Firebird II was released, and although the series was not intended for the average user, the designers enlarged the body to install a second row of seats. So you can see the Firebird II's larger bubble cockpit, while like a fighter jet, there are two huge air intakes in the front of the car. The Firebird II's extravagant use of titanium bodies, four-wheel disc brakes and independent suspension made it a test for GM to test various technologies. More importantly, they realized the dangers of Firebird I's high-temperature exhaust and installed a sophisticated energy regeneration device that reduced the exhaust temperature to 538 degrees.
Firebird II
In 1958, the Firebird III became larger, reaching a length of 6304 mm, still using titanium alloy, and a wide body large enough to accommodate two separate cockpits. The Firebird III experimented with technologies such as automatic air conditioning, electronic cruise, anti-lock braking, and eliminated the steering wheel, allowing the driver to rely on a joystick to control the car's movement.
Firebird III
As the premiere of the series, Firebird IV was unveiled at the 1964 New York World's Fair. In addition to further experimenting with the application of gas turbine engines, the new concept car is also interested in exploring and practicing more new technologies. Although the Firebird series will never drive normally on the road, it has become an experimental platform for GM to explore various new technologies, from the worship of speed to the experience of respecting the driver, Firebird continues to fly with people's dreams. In 1969, the design concept of the Firebird IV appeared on the Buick Century Cruiser concept car, and the Firebird soul did not die.
Firebird IV