The first of the second generation Firebird design bowed in late in the 1970 Model Year, not having is debut until February of 1970.  Some refer to this year as the 1970 1/2 because of the late introduction and because Pontiac continued to sell 1969 models into the new model year.  Some dealers referred to these 1969 models as 1970 models but history has recently corrected itself, the 1970 Firebird really was a 1970 and not a 1970 1/2.  The new lines were inspired more by European sports cars than American muscle cars.  Turn the key and the engine would growl like an American car should.