Vehicle Description
If you looked at this 1967 Pontiac Firebird Sprint convertible and
said, "Wow, that's perfect for a V8 transplant," please move along.
These 6-cylinder technology showcases are getting rarer by the day
it seems simply because everyone thinks that eight cylinders are
the only way to enjoy a pony car. Guess again, because this one is
an absolute blast to drive.
This is a largely original car and it has that handsome survivor
look that suggests care but not over-protection. It's been used as
intended and that's what this Sprint loves most. It has probably
been repainted once, and even though it was a while ago, it still
looks quite good. There are a few of the usual signs of age and
use, but there's absolutely no reason to go chasing perfection with
this car and instead just enjoy it as-is, because it has a lot of
presence. The Tyrol Blue paint is just the right shade, not too
bright and not bland, and with a white accent stripe running down
its flanks, this Sprint certainly looks the part of a fast, fun
F-body. There are no signs of accident damage and this has never
been a rusty car, so those kinds of worries are unfounded, and
things like the traditional Pontiac split grille and unique
Firebird emblems are in excellent shape. And you'll probably always
enjoy everyone noticing that "OHC6" emblem on the rockers, so you
should get ready for the questions now.
Pontiac's Parchment interiors are some of the most attractive of
the period, and the Sprint got all the same perks as its V8
brothers. Bucket seats with pleated seat covers, a center console
with a 4-speed shifter, and a sporty 3-spoke steering wheel make it
feel quite sporting. The original gauges covered only the basics,
so there's a modern Sun tach strapped to the steering column, and
with the way the OHC 6 likes to rev, it's probably good to have.
The carpets have probably been replaced at some point but the rest
appears to be original and the dash hasn't been baked by the sun.
An AM/FM/cassette radio is in the center stack and you'll be
surprised by how good the woodgrain looks, lending the Sprint an
upscale feel. There's also a white power convertible top that's in
good shape and the trunk is outfitted with its original mat and a
space-saver spare with jack assembly.
Pontiac's 3.8 liter SOHC inline-6 was a cool experiment into
alternative powerplants and today it would feel quite contemporary.
However in 1967, it was positively other-worldly to find such a
thing in a domestic pony car. It's quite smooth and surprisingly
torquey, and when was the last time you saw a six-cylinder engine
with a 4-barrel carburetor? It's wearing traditional Pontiac
Turquoise paint and a GTO-style air cleaner, but there's no
mistaking that big cam cover on top. At shows, this engine is sure
to draw more attention than any V8, no matter how much chrome you
may throw at it. The 4-speed manual gearbox makes the most of the
six's wide powerband, and it's quite a sensation to feel that
turbine-smooth engine pulling through the gears quite unlike a V8.
It exhales through a true dual exhaust system (this was a legit
high-performance engine in 1967, believe it or not) and the
soundtrack is aggressive but never annoying. Clean floors mean this
car has always been loved and with the lightweight engine up front,
this might be the best-handling early F-body you can own. The only
real modification is a set of handsome chrome wire wheels wearing
205/70/14 Firestone radials, but the original steel wheels are
available.
Documented with PHS paperwork, this magazine covergirl is a rare
find that deserves a place in a true Pontiac collector's garage.
Like I said, if you're into V8s, this isn't for you, but if you
love Pontiacs this is an incredible find. Call today!