1967 Pontiac Firebird

BK Auto Auctions Proudly presents this fantastic 1967 Pontiac Firebird which is a great example of Pontiac’s first-year ponycar!

Pontiac officially entered America’s emerging pony car market on February 23, 1967 with the introduction of the Pontiac Firebird.  The F-bodied cousin of the Chevrolet Camaro enjoyed a long history with the motoring public before it was discontinued at the close of the 2002 model year, a fact some feel was the beginning of the end for the mid-range GM marque.

When introduced, the Firebird was available in coupe and convertible body styles with a variety of powerplants and transmissions.  At the low end of the spectrum power was supplied by a 230 cubic inch inline six cylinder rated at 165 horsepower with options ranging to a 325 horsepower 400 cubic inch powerplant.  A three-speed manual transmission was standard equipment for all Firebirds, with a two-speed automatic or four-speed manual available for six-cylinder cars and two speed automatics, three speed automatics and the four-speed manual optional on V8 powered vehicles.

A pet project of Pontiac chief executive John DeLorean, the fact that Chevrolet’s Camaro was introduced several months prior to Pontiac’s Firebird was a sore subject for him.  DeLorean envisioned the Firebird generating a media buzz similar to his introduction of the Pontiac GTO in 1964 and was not happy that Chevrolet beat them to the punch and got a lot of publicity.

While the Firebird shared the same basic platform as its’ Chevrolet cousin, the two cars greatly differed in appearance.  The Firebird’s styling cues drew heavily from the very popular GTO with a split front chrome grill, quad headlights and slit-style taillights.  The hood-mounted tachometer, a popular option found on Pontiac’s sportier vehicles of the period, was first introduced on the Firebird.

This 1967 Pontiac Firebird convertible has been a part of the present owner’s portfolio for over 20 years.  Pontiac Historic Service documents show this car was built in May 1967 and left the Norwood, Ohio assembly plant wearing Coronado Gold paint with black top and black vinyl interior.  Power was supplied by the Pontiac sprint six, a 230 cubic inch engine topped with a four-barrel carb displacing 215 horsepower backed by a three-speed floor-shifted manual transmission.  Factory options included a push-button AM radio, seat belts front and rear, hood-mounted tachometer, soft-ray windshield, power top, console and the ride and handling package.

At some point prior to the current owner’s acquisition of the vehicle, the car was refinished with the present black paint and the six-cylinder engine swapped out in favor of a Pontiac 400 cubic inch V8 powerplant.  The three-speed manual transmission was switched to a four-speed manual and the console was removed.   The interior and convertible top color remain original.  Drum brakes on all four corners provide the stopping power and power steering helps keep the car on the road.   The car sits on period-correct Pontiac rally wheels.  This would be right at home at any local or regional show or cruise night and would make a great car for the person looking to enter the hobby.