The Pontiac Firebird was an instant hit when introduced in 1967 by GM. But not just with customers. Over the years used car thieves have been attracted to it, as well.

The National Insurance Crime Bureau reports, “the Firebird was also a popular target for auto thieves with more than 250,000 of them reported stolen since they were introduced.” That covers a period from 1967 to 2002 just before Pontiac folded up its tent as part of a GM reorganization.

The interesting thing in these numbers is they really only reflect from 1981 on. Before that vehicle identification numbers (also known as VINs) weren’t considered a reliable source of information. There was no standard numerical system in place.

As NICB reports, “Although theft data from 1967 is available, confidence in pre-1981 theft records is low due to the inconsistency in reporting protocols and vehicle identification number (VIN) systems in use prior to 1981. When the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration mandated standardized VINs beginning with the 1981 model year, that year became the benchmark for reliable data used in all Hot Wheels Classics reports.”

The peak year for Firebird thefts was in 1989 when 19,792 were stolen. The next most popular year was 1988 with 19,332, followed by 1990 (17,785), 1987 (17,410) and 1991 (16,430). Not surprisingly, thefts are dropping off as time goes by. Calendar year 2014 saw the least thefts with 445 and it’s perfect reverse order from there: 2013 (585), 2012 (676), 2011 (701) and 2010 (731).

As for thieves’ most preferred model year Firebird? That distinction belongs to 1986’s model with 26,881reported thefts. Next comes 1984 with 25,533 thefts. In third place is 1987 with 22,257 thefts. 1982 (21,213 thefts) and 1985 (20,929) round out the top five model years. That would indicate in its peak year for thefts, 1990, thieves apparently were stealing older models. There was most likely a design change that made the thefts more difficult going forward.

There’s even some historical perspective via the NICB. It says, “When General Motors introduced the Pontiac Firebird in 1967, it joined the growing field of “muscle cars” populated with nameplates such as the Ford Mustang and Dodge Charger both of which were scoring commercial success in the marketplace.” Interesting to note that both of those muscle cars continue to thrive today.

The report also says, “It didn’t take long for the Firebird to develop a strong following and over the course of its production a Firebird variant--the Trans Am—further defined the brand and its owners. The Trans Am became an instant automotive icon when it “co-starred” with Burt Reynolds in 1977’s “Smokey and the Bandit.” The Trans Am’s big-screen debut was followed in 1982 when a futuristic, talking, 1982 Trans Am known as “KITT” partnered with David Hasselhoff in television’s “Knight Rider” series.        

In spite of being associated with The Hoff, I still loved the Firebird. I always thought it was more compelling than the Camaro. There was nothing logical about it. I just had the opportunity to drive it more when I was working for a rental car agency in the early 1980s.

Should you buy a used Pontiac? At this point I’d say no just because they are going to be older vehicles. Make sure there is a good inspection done if you do buy one.

The NICB looks into more than just stolen Pontiac Firebirds, of course. Its annual Hot Wheels report shows what the Top 10 stolen used cars were annually. It uses, as we’re reported before, “theft data submitted by law enforcement to the National Crime Information Center (NCIC) and determines the vehicle make, model and model year most reported stolen in 2013.”

For 2013, the most stolen vehicles in the nation were (total thefts in parentheses):

• Honda Accord (53,995)
• Honda Civic (45,001)
• Chevrolet Pickup (Full Size) (27,809)
• Ford Pickup (Full Size) (26,494)
• Toyota Camry (14,420)
• Dodge Pickup (Full Size) (11,347)
• Dodge Caravan (10,911)
• Jeep Cherokee/Grand Cherokee (9,272)
• Nissan Altima (8,892)

There is good news amidst all this automotive theft negativity. The NICB says, at least for 2013, things seem to be improving. "After a slight increase in 2012, the FBI predicts a reduction in national vehicle thefts of 3.2 percent when final 2013 statistics are released later this year. The peak year for vehicle thefts was 1991 with 1,661,738.  If the FBI’s preliminary 2013 vehicle theft estimate holds, thefts will be under 700,000—a number not seen since 1967 and a reduction in vehicle thefts of over 50 percent since 1991, " the bureau says.