The 1991 Pontiac Firebird received an updated front-end design along with the Camaro. The Firebird’s new nose was inspired somewhat by the Banshee IV concept car, which would also influence the design of the fourth-generation Firebird that was still two years away.

Trims for the ’91 Firebird continued to be Base, Formula, Trans Am and GTA. The ground effects that came with the Firebird Trans Am was updated, and you could now get it as an option on the Base model but not the Formula. The rear wing on the Formula and Trans Am was also updated with a new wraparound design. If you selected the Trans Am or the GTA from this year, you could expect other updates like a revised taillight setup with big “Pontiac” lettering.

Engine choices included the 3.1-liter V-6, a 305 cid throttle body injected V-8, a 305 cid tuned port injected 305 cid V-8, or a 350 cubic inch V-8. Coupe, T-Tops and convertible variants were offered.

A reduction in weight in the convertible meant that dealers could start offering them through the conventional ordering avenues. If you purchased a convertible Firebird, it still started life as a T-Top model and was converted by ASC, but the whole process was streamlined for customers.

T-Top models for this year were improved with better seals, reducing leaking into the cabin when it rained.

1991 saw the introduction of the Firehawk, a very special version of the Firebird. It was constructed by Street Legal Performance (SLP), and started life as a Formula model. Buyers would purchase a Formula, and send it to SLP, at which point the 350 V-8 was tuned to put out 350hp and 390 lb-ft of torque, and mated to a 6-speed ZF manual transmission. Helping to put the added power down was a Dana 44 rear axle. A Competition Package featured an aluminum hood, Recaro racing seat with Simpson race harnesses, back seat delete, a full roll cage and Brembo high performance brakes. Only 25 Firehawks were ever built, only one of which was a convertible.