Vehicle Description
If you follow our website, then already know just how much we love
F-bodies here at Streetside Classics, and compared to their Camaro
cousins, 1st generation Firebirds like this beautiful 1967 Pontiac
Firebird are a rather unusual, and refreshing find. Offering a
strong running 400 V8 mated to an overdrive transmission, choice
options, bright light-yellow paint, and that undeniable performance
look that has made these cars cult favorites among petrol heads
that love to walk a slightly different path. So, if you're a Poncho
guy or gal or just someone who's grown tired of the ubiquitous
Camaro, perhaps this dialed-in beauty is the solution.
Pontiac was especially good at making even their pony car look like
it was made for grown-ups, although they certainly never shied away
from their performance pedigree. This lovely Firebird has all the
desirable muscle car styling cues, ranging from the sculpted hood
complete with incorporated tachometer, to the rear quarter 'gills'
at the profiles, to the tough-looking ducktail spoiler out back,
but the wonderfully subtle Code Y Mayfair Maze color makes it look
eminently tasteful. That is the car's original color combination
and by the looks of things it was completely disassembled and
stripped bare for the paint job. The result is a beautifully done
car that sparkles in the sunlight and looks crisply rendered from
any angle. It was finished a few years ago, so there are some minor
signs of use, but you can tell that this was an expensive makeover,
not a quickie, and the strong driver-quality car shows all the
better for it today. The black vinyl top provides the perfect
amount of contrast, breaking up the light-yellow paint just enough
to keep things from getting bland, all while adding further
sophistication to the curb appeal of this Poncho. Ever seen a
person loaded with bright tattoos wearing a nice suit? Sure, they
look grown up and civilized at face value, but you just know
there's something wild underneath there as well. You'll also note
that the restorers spent long dollars on the chrome and stainless
trim, as everything from the unique front bumper and grille
assembly, to the profile moldings, to the slender slotted
taillights and rear bumper remains in very good condition. Fit and
finish are quite good overall and you can't argue with just how
right these early F-bodies look, especially when showcased on such
a solid car as this.
The deluxe interior is also beautifully rendered, utilizing correct
materials and patterns throughout. By the looks of things, the
black door panels and maybe even the matching seats are either
restored original-issue pieces or NOS, and if that's the case,
they're in spectacular condition. The plush black carpets have been
replaced along the way and show only light wear, having been
protected by a set of matching Firebird-logo mats. The factory
gauges are bright and crisp, including the fully functional
hood-mounted tachometer and a trio of AutoMeter auxiliary gauges
just under the center dash. Inside the factory center console, that
T-handle shifter is a period-correct accessory, but now it manages
a 2004R 4-speed automatic transmission that makes this car an
absolute joy to drive on modern roads and highways. Woodgrain
applique on the center stack of the dash continues the 'grown-up'
feel of the car inside, although the thick-rimmed, sporty steering
wheel screams "grip me tight and let's go scare the passengers".
There's also a newer Pioneer AM/FM/CD/AUX stereo radio in the dash
and yes, this is a factory A/C Bird that's been upgraded with newer
hardware and R134a refrigerant that makes it fully functional for
today. The rear seat look barely used, and out back the clean trunk
was finished with a reproduction plaid mat.
This Pontiac 400 V8 looks to be from the early '70s and it's fairly
obvious that the engine has been well attended to and it's running
very strong today because of all that great care, providing plenty
of pop for this relatively lightweight coupe. Practically speaking,
it looks like an original piece under the pointed hood, aligning
with the car's strong driver-quality presentation throughout. Fed
through a big Holley 4-barrel carburetor atop a performance intake,
performance is lively and very responsive, and with the addition of
big aluminum radiator up front the 400 stays nice and cool under
any condition. It's crisply detailed with proper Pontiac Turquoise
metallic paint, with brightly polished valve covers at the flanks
and matching chrome air cleaner up top complete with a
factory-correct 400-4V decal. There are signs of maintenance and
newer components throughout, ranging from the chrome alternator to
the newer-looking booster for the power front disc brakes. An
H-pipe dual exhaust with twin chambered mufflers give it a
fantastic sound and we've already mentioned the transmission
upgrade, which teams with a heavy-duty 10-bolt rear end that can
handle all that power with ease. Power steering and power front
disc brakes mean this Firebird is easy to drive for everyone, and
the undercarriage is very solid, having been treated to a satin
black dusting that should protect it from the elements for years to
come. American Racing Torque Thrust 'Old Styles' look awesome on
everything, and these are wrapped with thick 205/55/15 front and
255/60/15 rear radials with a perfect-looking stagger that sets the
stance.
Early pony cars just don't get much better than this, and we're
happy to be singing the praises of an uber-clean Firebird instead
of a run-of-the-mill 1st generation Camaro again. Big power in a
medium-sized package, plenty of choice features, and a
slick-looking appearance make this Firebird a winner. Call
today!
