Original Factory Colors
Pontiac Firebird Second Gen (1970–1981) Paint Colors & Factory Codes
Every original factory paint color offered on the classic Pontiac Firebird (1970–1981), with official manufacturer paint codes, hex approximations, and rarity notes. Use the paint code to order a color-matched sample from a restoration supplier.
The second-generation Pontiac Firebird arrived for 1970 wearing one of the most dramatic new bodies in American automotive history, and Pontiac's color team matched the styling ambition with an equally bold palette. Early years leaned into the psychedelic muscle-car era with saturated hues like Lucerne Blue, Goldenrod Yellow, and the vivid Solar Red, giving buyers the visual punch expected of a performance machine. The Esprit trim brought more sophisticated tones — Cameo White and Verdoro Green — while Formula and Trans Am models were often ordered in aggressive, high-contrast combinations that photographers and magazine editors couldn't resist.
By the mid-1970s, fuel-crisis austerity reshaped the palette toward more conservative tones: Platinum, Sterling Silver, and a series of earth-influenced golds and browns reflected the era's tempered expectations. Yet Pontiac kept the Trans Am visually exciting through its iconic Snowbird White with blue stripes and the sinister Banshee Black with gold graphics. The Martinique Bronze of 1970–71 remains a period-correct favorite among restorers, a rich, complex hue that photographs differently in every light. By the late 1970s and into 1981, colors like Palomino Tan and Carousel Red bridged the gap between the muscle era and the emerging sports-car sensibility that would define the third generation.
Across its twelve-year run, the second-generation Firebird's color catalog charts the entire arc of American car culture in the 1970s — from the euphoric excess of the pony-car peak through the somber mid-decade years and back toward optimism. Today, survivors in original Lucerne Blue or Goldenrod Yellow command significant premiums, and even the understated earth tones have developed devoted followings among concours restorers who prize historical accuracy over showroom flash.
Sources:
- PaintRef.com — Pontiac Firebird factory paint code cross-reference (GM/Ditzler/DuPont codes by model year).
- First Generation Firebird (firstgenfirebird.org) — 1967–1969 body tag and paint code reference.
- Hitman's Pontiac Trans Am Site (78ta.com) — second-generation Trans Am paint codes and color combinations.
★ Rare / Desirable Colors
★ Rare
Navajo Orange
97
#d4581f
1973
Late/limited availability
★ Rare
Martinique Blue
24
#1f3f6e
1978
Trans Am favorite; relatively low production
★ Rare
Redbird Red
72
#b5302a
1978
Redbird Edition Esprit
★ Rare
Heritage Gray
16
#8f9295
1979
Two-tone only
★ Rare
Solar Gold
50
#c79a45
1979
Special Edition Gold
★ Rare
Redbird Red
80
#b5302a
1979
Special-order Redbird Edition
★ Rare
Accent Yellow
37
#ecd14f
1980
Two-tone only
★ Rare
Yellowbird Yellow
56
#f0d24a
1980
Yellowbird Edition Esprit
Standard Colors
Polar White
10
#f0f0ee
1970
Palladium Silver
14
#c2c4c6
1970
Bermuda Blue
25
#3f6fa0
1970
Lucerne Blue
26
#27508a
1970
Atoll Blue
28
#1f3f72
1970
Keylime Green
43
#9cae52
1970
Palisade Green
45
#5f7a4a
1970
Verdoro Green
47
#3f5635
1970
Goldenrod Yellow
51
#e6c63a
1970
Coronado Gold
53
#c79a45
1970
Granada Gold
58
#9c7b30
1970
Palomino Copper
63
#925030
1970
Carousel Red
65
#d4451f
1970
1970 Trans Am signature color
Castilian Bronze
67
#5a3c28
1970
Cardinal Red
75
#9c2222
1970
Cameo White
11
#f0f0ee
1971
Nordic Silver
13
#bfc2c4
1971
Starlight Black
19
#161616
1971
Adriatic Blue
24
#2c5586
1971
Lucerne Blue
26
#27508a
1971
Limekist Green
42
#9cae52
1971
Tropical Lime
43
#7fae3f
1971
Laurentian Green
49
#3f5a3a
1971
Quezal Gold
53
#c79a45
1971
Aztec Gold
59
#9c7b30
1971
Sandalwood
61
#cbbb96
1971
Canyon Copper
62
#925030
1971
Castilian Bronze
67
#5a3c28
1971
Cardinal Red
75
#9c2222
1971
Rosewood
78
#6e3540
1971
Cameo White
11
#f0f0ee
1972
Revere Silver
14
#bfc2c4
1972
Adriatic Blue
24
#2c5586
1972
Lucerne Blue
26
#27508a
1972
Julep Green
36
#6f9c6a
1972
Springfield Green
43
#5f7a4a
1972
Wilderness Green
48
#3f5236
1972
Brittany Beige
50
#d2c1a0
1972
Quezal Gold
53
#c79a45
1972
Shadow Gold
55
#a07f34
1972
Monarch Yellow
56
#e8cf55
1972
Brasilia Gold
57
#b08a3a
1972
Anaconda Gold
63
#7a5c2e
1972
Sundance Orange
65
#d4581f
1972
Cardinal Red
75
#9c2222
1972
Cameo White
11
#f0f0ee
1973
Porcelain Blue
24
#8fb4cf
1973
Regatta Blue
26
#2c5586
1973
Admiralty Blue
29
#23354f
1973
Verdant Green
42
#5f7a4a
1973
Slate Green
44
#4a5a4f
1973
Golden Olive
46
#8a8a3f
1973
Brewster Green
48
#3f5236
1973
Sunlight Yellow
51
#ead85f
1973
Desert Sand
56
#cdb98f
1973
Valencia Gold
60
#9c7b30
1973
Ascot Silver
64
#bfc2c4
1973
Burma Brown
68
#5a3c28
1973
Florentine Red
74
#8c2730
1973
Buccaneer Red
75
#9c2222
1973
Cameo White
11
#f0f0ee
1974
Regatta Blue
26
#2c5586
1974
Admiralty Blue
29
#23354f
1974
Gulfmist Blue
36
#7fa6c4
1974
Fernmist Green
40
#8fa86f
1974
Limefire Green
46
#7fae3f
1974
Pinehurst Green
49
#3f5236
1974
Caramel Beige
50
#cbb088
1974
Sunstorm Yellow
51
#ead85f
1974
Denver Gold
53
#c79a45
1974
Colonial Gold
55
#a07f34
1974
Crestwood Brown
59
#5a3c28
1974
Ascot Silver
64
#bfc2c4
1974
Fire Coral Bronze
66
#b85535
1974
Honduras Maroon
74
#5e242c
1974
Buccaneer Red
75
#9c2222
1974
Cameo White
11
#f0f0ee
1975
Sterling Silver
13
#bfc2c4
1975
Graystone
15
#8f9295
1975
Arctic Blue
24
#8fb4cf
1975
Bimini Blue
26
#3f6fa0
1975
Stellar Blue
29
#23354f
1975
Lakemist Green
44
#7f9c7a
1975
Alpine Green
49
#3f5236
1975
Caramel Beige
50
#cbb088
1975
Sunstorm Yellow
51
#ead85f
1975
Sandstone
55
#cdbb98
1975
Ginger Brown
58
#6e4a2e
1975
Copper Mist
63
#9c6a45
1975
Persimmon
64
#c45a2f
1975
Honduras Maroon
74
#5e242c
1975
Buccaneer Red
75
#9c2222
1975
Cameo White
11
#f0f0ee
1976
Sterling Silver
13
#bfc2c4
1976
Starlight Black
19
#161616
1976
1976 Limited Edition 50th Anniversary black & gold Trans Am
Athena Blue
28
#3f6fa0
1976
Polaris Blue
35
#23354f
1976
Firethorn Red
36
#8c2425
1976
Cordovan Maroon
37
#5a2228
1976
Metalime Green
40
#7fae3f
1976
Alpine Green
49
#3f5236
1976
Bavarian Cream
50
#e2d4ad
1976
Goldenrod Yellow
51
#e6c63a
1976
Buckskin Tan
65
#c4a875
1976
Durango Bronze
67
#6e4a2e
1976
Carousel Red
78
#d4451f
1976
Cameo White
11
#f0f0ee
1977
Sterling Silver
13
#bfc2c4
1977
Starlight Black
19
#161616
1977
1977 Special Edition (Bandit) black & gold Trans Am
Lombard Blue
21
#8fb4cf
1977
Glacier Blue
22
#5f88b0
1977
Nautilus Blue
29
#23354f
1977
Firethorn Red
36
#8c2425
1977
Cordovan Maroon
37
#5a2228
1977
Aquamarine
38
#4f9c97
1977
Bahia Green
44
#5f7a4a
1977
Goldenrod Yellow
51
#e6c63a
1977
Mohave Tan
61
#c4a875
1977
Buckskin
63
#b89968
1977
Brentwood Brown
69
#4f3424
1977
Buccaneer Red
75
#9c2222
1977
Mandarin Orange
78
#d45a1f
1977
Cameo White
11
#f0f0ee
1978
Platinum
15
#c4c6c8
1978
Starlight Black
19
#161616
1978
1978 Special/Bandit Edition black & gold Trans Am
Glacier Blue
22
#5f88b0
1978
Berkshire Green
48
#3f5236
1978
Sundance Yellow
51
#ecd14f
1978
Laredo Brown
63
#7a5230
1978
Ember Mist
67
#9c6a45
1978
Chesterfield Brown
69
#4f3424
1978
Mayan Red
75
#9c2222
1978
Carmine
77
#7a1f2a
1978
Cameo White
11
#f0f0ee
1979
Platinum Silver
15
#c4c6c8
1979
Starlight Black
19
#161616
1979
1979 10th Anniversary and Special Edition black & gold Trans Am
Bright Blue
24
#2c66a8
1979
Nocturne Blue
29
#23354f
1979
Bright Yellow
51
#ecd14f
1979
Camel Tan
63
#bb9a6a
1979
Dark Brown
69
#4f3424
1979
Mayan Red
75
#9c2222
1979
Carmine
77
#7a1f2a
1979
Cameo White
11
#f0f0ee
1980
Platinum
15
#c4c6c8
1980
Starlight Black
19
#161616
1980
1980 Special Edition / Turbo Trans Am black & gold
Atlantis Blue
24
#2c66a8
1980
Nightwatch Blue
29
#23354f
1980
Bright Yellow
51
#ecd14f
1980
Solar Gold
57
#c79a45
1980
Dark Brown
67
#4f3424
1980
Francisco Red
72
#b5302a
1980
Dark Claret
76
#5a2228
1980
Red Orange
79
#c4421f
1980
Sienna Brown
80
#7a4a2e
1980
Charcoal Gray
84
#4a4d50
1980
Cameo White
11
#f0f0ee
1981
Stardust Silver
16
#c4c6c8
1981
Starlight Black
19
#161616
1981
1981 Special Edition / Turbo Trans Am black & gold
Vibrant Blue
20
#2c66a8
1981
Baniff Blue
21
#8fb4cf
1981
Nightwatch Blue
29
#23354f
1981
Bright Yellow
51
#ecd14f
1981
Dorado Gold
54
#b08a3a
1981
Pale Yellow
56
#f0e0a0
1981
Navajo Orange
57
#d4581f
1981
Barclay Brown
67
#4f3424
1981
Spectra Red
75
#b5302a
1981
Autumn Maroon
77
#5a2228
1981
Ontario Gray
84
#4a4d50
1981
🔧 Restoration Tips: Finding & Matching Your Original Color
- • Always cross-reference the paint code stamped on the cowl tag (the trim plate attached to the firewall) against factory build sheets before purchasing paint — second-gen Firebirds were frequently repainted during the dealer prep era and the cowl tag is the only truly authoritative source for the original color.
- • Pontiac's acrylic lacquer factory finish from 1970–1977 is notoriously thin and requires careful wet-sanding; when bare-metal respray is required, apply a high-build urethane primer-surfacer and block-sand to 400 grit before applying color coats to replicate the subtle orange-peel texture of the original finish.
- • Martinique Bronze (code 53) and the other metallic hues of 1970–72 used aluminum flake sizes that are no longer standard — source a period-correct custom-mix from a supplier specializing in vintage Pontiac colors rather than relying on a generic modern metallic base, otherwise the flake will appear too coarse under UV light.
- • Trans Am models from 1976–1981 with Snowbird White should have the blue pinstripes and screaming-chicken hood decal applied before the final clear coat on a factory restoration; applying decals over clear coat is a common shortcut that is easily detected by judges and devalues a concours entry.
- • Engine-compartment color for 1970–1973 should match the exterior body color on the firewall and inner fender aprons; many restorers incorrectly spray these areas semi-gloss black, which is incorrect for all but a handful of special-order fleet vehicles — consult Pontiac Historical Services (PHS) documentation before spraying the engine bay.
About these colors:
Color names, factory paint codes, and production years are cross-referenced from established
marque references and owner registries. Hex codes are approximate digital representations of
factory paint — vintage automotive paint was never defined as a hex value, and original enamel
fades over time. True paint colors depend on age, sun exposure, refinishing history, and
production batch variation. For an accurate match, always mix by the factory paint code — not
by the on-screen swatch — and verify against an original paint chip or a professional
color-matched sample before purchasing paint for a restoration.
Help Center
Frequently Asked Questions
The correct Pontiac paint code is 11 (Cameo White) for the Snowbird White package introduced on the 1976–77 Trans Am. The package paired code-11 white body paint with blue hood decal stripes and a blue interior. Always verify against your vehicle's cowl tag, as some late production units used slightly different white formulations coded 11C.
Banshee Black is a popular hobby-market nickname, not an official Pontiac factory color name. The correct factory designation is simply Starlight Black, paint code 19. It was available across the entire 1970–1981 production run and was the most commonly ordered dark color on Trans Am models paired with the gold screaming-chicken graphic package.
Goldenrod Yellow (code 51) and Lucerne Blue (code 26) in 1970 were low-production colors that are highly sought after. Martinique Bronze (code 53, 1970–71) is particularly rare on Trans Am models. Any Formula or Trans Am in a high-impact color with a documented Pontiac Historical Services build sheet commands a significant auction premium over repainted or recolored examples.
Yes and no. Both cars were built on the F-body platform and GM coordinated color offerings across divisions, but Pontiac and Chevrolet used their own divisional paint codes for colors that were often visually identical or very similar. For example, Pontiac's Cameo White (11) and Chevrolet's Olympic White are near-identical formulas but carry different divisional codes. Always use Pontiac-specific codes when ordering restoration paint.
Check for paint inside the door jambs, behind weather-stripping, inside the trunk hinge pockets, and beneath the hood where overspray would not reach during a respray. Original factory paint will also show consistent mil-thickness readings (typically 3–5 mils) across all body panels when measured with a paint-depth gauge. Repainted panels often read 7–12 mils and show slight color variation under raking light. Cross-reference any findings with a Pontiac Historical Services (PHS) document for the VIN.