Vehicle Description
1969 Pontiac Firebird Hardtop
A powerful rival for Ford Mustang, the Pontiac Firebird saw
daylight in 1967 when the US company rolled out both the 2 door
coupe and the 2 door convertible. Even as it was based on the same
platform as the Chevrolet Camaro, the Firebirds were different both
in design and powertrain options. In 1969, a high performance and
visually enhanced version of the Firebird was released with 689
Trans Ams joining the 87,000 Firebirds on the assembly line.
For consignment, a 1969 Pontiac Firebird hardtop, restored in 2021
and possessing a title verified 41,205 actual miles. It's wearing a
color we don't see often and the coordination of the white exterior
stripes with the parchment interior is very nice.
Exterior
Two stage Brasilia Gold colors this car and can best be described
as a greenish bronze. Pontiac's distinct split grille and center
beak fronts this car, dual headlights and twin hood intake ducts
create a symmetrical line, and a hood mounted tachometer breaks
that up and creates interest. Fantastic white stripes race over the
hood, skipping the roof, and then reconvene on the trunk lid and up
and over the rear wing. The muscular tail continues with horizontal
slit tail lights which differentiated the Pontiacs from Camaros and
a Firebird emblem in Native American motif on the center further
solidifies its identity. Another Firebird notable, fender vents
behind the front wheel, in this case faux vents, but Firebirds
would continue to go on to have functional vents in varying shapes
and locations on the fender. 15-inch Pontiac Rally II wheels occupy
the hubs and have PMD center caps. Overall, the paint and metal
work are in beautiful condition. Imperfections noted include some
unevenness where the roof meets window trim, a good amount of
bubbling low on a fender, cracking paint on the rear valance, and
some curb rash on a wheel.
Interior
Vinyl door panels begin the parade of Parchment colored vinyl and
present with a pleated insert and dark door pull/armrest with
parallel silver trim lines running through it, all in good
condition. Front bucket seats are high backed and headrest equipped
and represent a tuck and roll pattern on the insert and along with
the 2+2 seating in the back, are in great shape. The sidewalls of
the back pick up on the door design and create a parchment colored
cocoon in the cabin. A 3 spoke wood rimmed steering wheel with
arrowhead in the center fronts a black plastic dash with two simple
circles in the center, one the speedometer and the other a series
of idiot lights in the round. Three added gauges are mounted
vertically to the right and cover water, oil, and voltage. In the
center, heater controls and a bowtie wearing AM/FM radio, all above
an added A/C unit mounted under the dash. On the floor, a Hurst
shifter clad in a rubber boot rises like a phoenix, surrounded by
black loop carpet that covers the floor cleanly and is protected by
Pontiac branded rubber mats. Up above, the black headliner is in
excellent condition and in the trunk, a loose fitting plaid mat
coats the floor, and a flannel cover surrounds the spare.
Drivetrain
A very clean, Pontiac blue 350ci L30 V8 is under the hood, a low
compression, California spec engine from 1973 with a 2-barrel
carburetor and rated at 175 horsepower. Behind it, a date correct
Muncie M20 4-speed manual transmission sends power to the 12 bolt
rear with 3.07 conventional gears. Power brakes are supplied with
disc in front and drums in the rear.
Undercarriage
Clean underneath with no grease or grime. Surface rust is present
on typical areas and some oil is seen on the rear differential,
possibly from the pinion seal. Dual exhaust flows from headers to
an X-pipe, then through a set of MagnaFlow mufflers before exiting
unceremoniously with down-facing polished tips. Suspension is
standard here with coil springs in front and leaf springs in the
back.
Drive-Ability
The 350 lights up without issue and as the delightful smell of
dinosaur breath fills our garage on our way to the tarmac. This is
a peppy little bird and acceleration is quite good as we row
through the gears but we note exhaust leaks right from the start.
Handling is very good, while tracking, brakes, and visibility all
score high. What doesn't are the reverse lights which don't work
and the wipers were also found to be inoperable. Everything else in
and around the car works as intended. While Classic Auto Mall
represents that these functions were working at the time of our
test drive, we cannot guarantee these functions will be working at
the time of your purchase.
This is a stunning example of a vintage Firebird in a rather unique
color, all in great shape except for those few minor housekeeping
items. In nature, white is used to flash a warning, (think deer and
cottontail rabbits, for example), and the broad, white stripes on
this car add about 100 points of visibility to the car. Heads will
turn, there is no doubt. If a first gen Firebird has been on your
hunting list, adjust for windage and zero in on this one!
223379L111788
2-Pontiac
23-Firebird
37-2 Door Hardtop Sport Coupe
9-1969
L-Van Nuys, CA Assy Plant
111788-Sequential Unit Number
TRIM TAG
ST 69 22337-1969 Firebird 2 Door Hardtop Sport Coupe
BDY VN513294-Van Nuys Body #
TR 206-Green Vinyl Buckets
PNT 73 73-Verdoro Green
12B-2nd Week December
Classic Auto Mall is home to more than 1,000 classic and
collectible vehicles for sale via consignment in a climate
controlled 336,000-square foot showroom (that's more than 8
acres!). The largest single location consignment dealer of classic
and collectible vehicles in the country is located in Morgantown,
Pennsylvania, just 1-hour west of Philadelphia off Exit 298 of the
I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. For more information visit
www.classicautomall.com or call us at (888) 227-0914. Contact us
anytime for more information or to come see the vehicle in
person.
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