PONTIAC J2000 — Specifications & VIN Lookup
Find detailed specifications for the PONTIAC J2000. Decode any PONTIAC J2000 VIN to view engine, body, and safety details.
Find detailed specifications for the PONTIAC J2000. Decode any PONTIAC J2000 VIN to view engine, body, and safety details.
The Pontiac Sunbird is a model line that was manufactured and marketed by Pontiac from the 1976 to the 1994 model years. Loosely deriving its name from the Pontiac Firebird, the Sunbird was introduced as the eventual replacement for the Pontiac Astre, replacing it entirely in 1978 as the smallest Pontiac.
The Pontiac Sunbird (also known as the Pontiac J2000 and Pontiac 2000) is a model line that was manufactured and marketed by Pontiac from the 1976 to the 1994 model years. Loosely deriving its name from the Pontiac Firebird, the Sunbird was introduced as the eventual replacement for the Pontiac Astre, replacing it entirely in 1978 as the smallest Pontiac (the later T1000 was slotted below it in size). The first generation of the Sunbird used the subcompact GM H platform. Serving as the Pontiac counterpart of the Chevrolet Monza, the Sunbird was offered as a two-door notchback coupé and three-door hatchback and station wagon. The model was manufactured alongside the Monza, Buick Skyhawk, and Oldsmobile Starfire at Lordstown Assembly (Lordstown, Ohio), South Gate Assembly (South Gate, California) and Sainte-Thérèse Assembly (Sainte-Thérèse, Quebec), Canada. The second generation of the Sunbird used the compact GM J platform. Serving as the Pontiac counterpart of the Chevrolet Cavalier, the Sunbird was marketed at various times as a two-door notchback coupé or convertible, three-door hatchback, four-door sedan, and five-door station wagon. The model line was manufactured alongside the Cavalier at Lordstown Assembly (Lordstown, Ohio), Ramos Arizpe Assembly (Ramos Arizpe, Mexico), and alongside the Buick Skyhawk and Oldsmobile Firenza at Leeds Assembly (Kansas City, Missouri) in 1982 only. While not as long-running as the Bonneville, Grand Prix, and Firebird nameplates, Pontiac would use the Sunbird nameplate for 17 model years. After the Sunbird skipped the 1981 model year entirely, it was released as an early 1982 and renamed the J2000; the Sunbird name was returned for 1984. For 1995, the Sunbird underwent a substantial model update and was renamed the Pontiac Sunfire.
Introduced in September 1975 for the 1976 model year, the first-generation Pontiac Sunbird was developed from the Pontiac Astre subcompact, itself a rebadged variant of the Chevrolet Vega, and a direct variant of the Chevrolet Monza. The Sunbird and Monza competed against the Ford Mustang II, Mercury Capri, Toyota Celica and Volkswagen Scirocco. Total production reached 479,967 for model years 1976-1980. While sharing a nameplate, the Pontiac Sunbird shared no commonality with the Australian-market Holden LX Sunbird.
The first-generation Sunbird shared the GM subcompact H-body platform, sharing its 97-inch wheelbase with the Astre, Vega and Chevrolet Monza. Using a rear-wheel drive configuration, the Sunbird is fitted with coil springs for all four wheels, using short and long control arms for the front suspension and a torque-arm live rear axle rear suspension; both axles are fitted with an anti-roll bar. Front vented disc brakes were standard, along with rear drum brakes. For its 1976 introduction, the Sunbird shared its standard engine with the Astre/Vega, using a Chevrolet-designed 2.3-litre inline-four, producing 78 hp (58 kW) with a standard one-barrel carburetor; an optional two-barrel carburetor increased output to 87 hp (65 kW). A 110 hp (82 kW) Buick-supplied 231 cubic-inch V6 was also optional. A four-speed manual transmission was standard, with a five-speed manual and three-speed automatic offered as options. For 1977, the engine line was revised, with a Pontiac-developed 151 cubic-inch "Iron Duke" inline-four introduced; 90 hp (67 kW) was produced with a two-barrel carburetor. For 1978, a Chevrolet-sourced 305 cubic-inch V8 was introduced as an option on Sunbird coupes and hatchbacks. For 1980, the V8 option was dropped from the model line.
For 1976, the Pontiac Sunbird was offered only in a two-door notchback coupe body, sharing a body with the Chevrolet Monza Towne Coupe. For 1977, a three-door hatchback version of the Sunbird was introduced, rebadged variants of the Chevrolet Monza, Buick Skyhawk, and Oldsmobile Starfire. A Formula option combined the handling package with a three-piece spoiler, special body decals, chrome valve cover, and a T/A steering wheel; the option was offered with the coupe and hatchback. For 1978, a Sunbird two-door station wagon was introduced, a close badge engineered variant of the Astre wagon. For 1979, the Sunbird wagon received a revised, horizontal grille.
For 1980, the H-body Sunbird dropped the station wagon bodystyle and the optional V8 engine. The model year underwent an unusually long production run to provide inventory into calendar-year 1981, as it was replaced by the J2000 for the 1982 model year.
Source: Wikipedia · CC BY-SA