The Pontiac Firebird may be a less celebrated name among American performance cars, but Hawks Motorsports is giving the model a new lease on life with restomod builds inspired by the performance-focused Firehawk that debuted in 1991. The company’s Stage 1 Hawks Motorsports Firehawk produces 600 horsepower from a 6.2-liter LS3 V8.
The Hawks Motorsports Firehawk
The original Firehawk was not built directly by Pontiac. Instead, SLP extensively upgraded the Firebird, with some Pontiac dealers selling the resulting cars. The 1991 model used a tuned 5.7-liter, or 350-cubic-inch, V8 producing 350 horsepower and 390 pound-feet of torque.
Hawks Motorsports applies modern performance upgrades to the Firehawk formula with its Stage 1 build. The 6.2-liter LS3 V8 produces 600 hp at 7,000 rpm and 500 lb-ft of torque at 5,450 rpm.
The engine features forged internals, CNC-ported cylinder heads, a custom camshaft and a dual air filter intake. Its 1.875-inch headers feed into a 3.5-inch exhaust system with two circular outlets exiting on the driver’s side at the rear.
The Stage 1 engine is paired with a Tremec T-56 six-speed manual transmission and Hawks Motorsports’ CNC short-throw shifter. Power is delivered through a modified rear differential upgraded to handle the additional output.
Hawks Motorsports claims the car can accelerate from zero to 60 mph in 2.9 seconds and complete the quarter mile in 11.4 seconds. The company also reports a top speed of 195 mph.
Stage 2 and Stage 3 Firehawk Builds
Hawks Motorsports also offers a Stage 2 build that raises output to 700 hp through the use of a 7.0-liter LS7 V8. The company claims the Stage 2 car can complete the zero-to-60 mph sprint in 2.4 seconds.
Hawks Motorsports is also working on a Stage 3 version that would produce 1,200 hp from a supercharged LS7.
Firehawk Gets Chassis and Brake Upgrades
The extra power is accompanied by upgrades designed to support the car’s performance. The Firehawk receives upgraded brakes, a lowered suspension with upgraded shocks and a 10:1 steering box.
An available Competition Package adds Baer 14-inch, two-piece brake rotors. According to Hawks Motorsports, the car can generate up to 0.94g when cornering.
Retro Firehawk Styling With Modern Touches
The restomod cars retain much of the original Firehawk’s exterior appearance. Hawks Motorsports offers them in retro colors including Black, Dark Green Metallic, Dark Aqua Metallic, Bright White, Silver Blue Metallic, Bright Blue Metallic, Medium Gray Metallic, Bright Red and Jamaica Yellow.
The builds are available with either the coupe body or as convertibles. The cars ride on 18-inch wheels designed to emulate the original Ronal R15 wheels.
From the outside, the restomods can look much like the originals unless an observer notices details such as the improved brakes, larger wheels and lower ride height.
Interior Upgrades and Limited Production
Inside, Hawks Motorsports says the Firehawk addresses issues associated with this era of Firebirds and Camaros, stating that “gone are the days of loose steering and rattling panels.”
The optional Competition Package adds period-correct Recaro seats, Simpson five-point harnesses, a roll bar and a rear-seat delete.
Prices for the Stage 1 Firehawk start at $99,995. Hawks Motorsports intends to build only 25 examples and is currently accepting inquiries for the cars.
