Upwards of 1,200 horsepower ensures fire-breathing driving excitement for this resurrected and reimagined run.
Re-Introducing the All-American Street Fighter
At this year’s 2023 Muscle Car and Corvette Nationals in Rosemont, Illinois, Hawks Motorsports unveiled their 1992 Firehawk Continuation Series of modified Pontiac Firebirds.
Inspired by the legacy of the original 25 Formula Firehawks offered by SLP Engineering through Pontiac dealerships in 1991 and 1992, the run will pay homage while offering modern performance upgrades.
Matching that original quantity, Hawks Motorsports will limit this revival to 25 vehicles (plus three prototypes, one of each Stage).
Bruce Hawkins, founder and owner of Hawks Motorsports and the largest 3rd-gen Firehawk collector, expressed the significance of this venture: “The first run represented the highest levels of performance during the third-gen Firebird era. With 23 years of business experience focusing on Pontiac performance, I wanted to put the Hawks Motorsports spin on the pinnacle of that era while delivering serious modern upgrades. The goal was to bring 'Driving Excitement' back to Pontiac, and I feel the team has done that in a big way."
"The goal was to bring 'Driving Excitement' to a revived Pontiac classic." - Bruce Hawkins
Resurrected & Reimagined: Package Contents
The Firehawk Continuation Series will be offered as complete vehicles, with Hawks Motorsports sourcing suitable foundation vehicles and performing all cosmetic restoration and upgrades in-house.
Three stages of performance will be offered to customers. A Stage 1 package features an LS3 V8 rated at 600hp and 475lb-ft of torque.
Other upgrades include the 1LE disc brake upgrade, a custom 8.8 rear end and Hawks Motorsports redesigned 18”x10” Ronal R15 style wheels.
"It's everything the original Firehawk was and everything it wasn't." - Bruce Hawkins
Building on that base, the Stage 2 receives an LS7 V8, rated at 700hp and 650lb-ft of torque. Viking double adjustable struts and tubular suspension components are also added.
Finally, the top-tier Stage 3 is equipped with a supercharged Dart 427ci LS V8 and is rated at 1,200hp and 1100 ft-lb of torque.
The package also includes Baer XTR 6-piston disc brakes, custom Forgeline 18"x11"/18"x12" Ronal R15 style billet wheels, distinctive fender flares, and a ZR1-spec, 6-speed manual transmission as well as many of the components featured on the Stage 1 and 2 Competition Package.
Pricing & Availability
An additional Competition Option is available on Stage 1 & 2 builds. It incorporates track-focused components such as double adjustable coil-over suspension, Recaro racing seats, Simpson five-point seat harnesses, and a carbon fiber hood and rear decklid spoiler at a cost of $19,995.
Ten retro-inspired paint colors will be offered, and each vehicle will feature a numbered plate inside the driver’s door jamb.
Additionally, full documentation and a Certificate of Authenticity signed by Bruce Hawkins, Jim Mattison of Pontiac Historical Services, and Reg Harris, former marketing director for SLP Engineering, will be provided.
Orders are now being accepted, with Stage 1 vehicles priced at $99,995.
From Bird to Hawk: Origins of the Firebird Formula Firehawk by SLP
The Firebird Formula Firehawk was offered by Street Legal Performance in celebration of the Firebird’s 25th anniversary.
A planned run of 250 units fell short with just 25 vehicles being created, each costing $39,999 and coming with a 12-month/12,000-mile warranty.
Under the hood was a heavily modified 350ci V8 (rated at 350hp/390-lb-ft) – a significant upgrade over the stock 350 V8’s 240hp rating.
Other additions included a six-speed manual transmission from the Corvette ZR-1, Corvette disc brakes, a special Dana 44 limited slip axle, and a stainless-steel exhaust system. The package was designated by the Special Order Code of RPO B4U.
The car boasted a 0 to 60mph time of 4.2 seconds, a ¼-mile time of 13.2 seconds at 107 mph, and a top speed of 160mph.
A Competition Package was also offered for an additional $9,995 adding 4-piston Brembo brake calipers and discs (the same components used on the Ferrari F-40), Recaro driver’s seat, Simpson 5-point harness, rear seat delete, 6-point padded roll bar, and a lightweight aluminum hood.
Upfitting occurred at SLP Engineering’s Tom’s River, New Jersey facility in July of 1991.
The Firehawk offering carried into the Firebird's fourth-generation model, continuing through 2002.
Check out the 1992 Firehawk's original promotional videos below.
Part 1
Part 2
About Hawks Motorsports
Located in Easley, South Carolina, Hawks Motorsports/Hawks Third Generation LLC was founded in 1999 by Bruce Hawkins and has become one of the leading sources for new 1982-2002 Camaro/Firebird reproduction/restoration parts, engine swap components, and take-out drivetrains.
The performance shop has also developed a reputation for assembling 1982-1992 Camaro and Firebird custom car builds for such clients as former NASCAR driver, Jason Keller.
At this year's show, Bruce displayed an original 1992 Firebird Firehawk which I awarded my Celebrity Pick Award.
