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
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