Pontiac Phoenix

For other uses, see Phoenix (disambiguation).

The Pontiac Phoenix was a compact car that was sold from 1977 to 1984 by Pontiac. There were two generations of the Phoenix, both based on popular Chevrolet models, and both using the GM X platform designation. It was named for the mythological Phoenix, which would die in a self-inflicted fire and be reborn from the ashes. The Phoenix was replaced by the Grand Am in 1985.

Pontiac Phoenix
Overview
Manufacturer	Pontiac
Model years	1977–1984
Body and chassis
Class	Compact
Chronology
Predecessor	Pontiac Ventura
Successor	Pontiac Grand Am

First generation (1977–1979)

Main article: Chevrolet Chevy II / Nova

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-door coupe 3-door hatchback 4-door sedan
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 Duke I4 231 cu in (3.8 L) Buick V6 305 cu in (5.0 L) Chevrolet LG3 V8 350 cu in (5.7 L) Chevrolet 350 V8
Transmission	3-speed manual 4-speed manual 3-speed THM350 automatic
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)

The rear-wheel drive Phoenix was introduced for 1977^[1] as an upscale version of the Pontiac 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-door coupe or a 4-door sedan, with a 3-door hatchback 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 Duke I4, a 110 hp (82 kW) 231 cu in (3.8 L) Buick V6, a 140 hp (104 kW) 305 cu in (5.0 L) Chevrolet LG3 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-speed Turbo-Hydramatic automatic.

1977 Pontiac Phoenix 4-door Sedan

Second generation (1980–1984)

See also: Chevrolet Citation

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-door coupe 5-door hatchback
Layout	Transverse front-engine, front-wheel drive
Platform	X-body
Related	Chevrolet Citation Oldsmobile Omega Buick Skylark
Powertrain
Engine	2.5 L Iron Duke I4 2.8 L LE2 V6 2.8 L LH7 V6
Transmission	4-speed manual 3-speed TH125 automatic
Dimensions
Wheelbase	104.9 in (2,664.5 mm)

For 1980, the Phoenix was downsized and moved to the front-wheel drive X platform, and was available as a 2-door coupe or a 5-door hatchback. 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 L Iron Duke 4-cylinder, carried over from the previous Phoenix, and a new 2.8 L LE2 V6, both of which were mated to a standard 4-speed manual transmission or optional 3-speed automatic. The high-output 2.8 L LH7 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 (the Chevrolet Citation, Buick Skylark and Oldsmobile Omega), the Phoenix's image suffered because of poor workmanship,^[1] two recalls for 1981,^[3] and a dangerous tendency for the car to lock the rear wheels upon emergency braking (1980 models only).

The Phoenix was replaced for 1985 by a revived Grand Am^[1] on the front-wheel drive GM N-body platform, while the Phoenix's basic architecture lived on under the A-body Pontiac 6000, which was introduced in 1982.

References

1. Encyclopedia of American Cars (2006)
2. Dunton, Pete (17 May 2015). "1982-1984 Pontiac Phoenix SJ/SE – Pontiac's First Front-Wheel Drive Muscle Car". Pete Dunton's Old Car Memories. Retrieved 9 March 2018.
3. 1981 Pontiac Phoenix Recalls, http://www.carcomplaints.com/Pontiac/Phoenix/1981/recalls/ (retrieved 22 July 2015)

External links