This is the Firebird Pontiac Didn't Want to Build!

This first year Pontiac Firebird is the car the company didn't want to build. They wanted something to compete with the Corvette. But in the end, the Firebird likely sold a lot more than a Corvette-cousin would have.

As always keep me honest! Let me know if I've gotten something wrong or if you have a comment.
Correction:
1:02 Falcon not Firebird!
3:46 Traction bar not torsion bar!

[briangibbs]

The first brand-new car that I bought was a 1967 Firebird with the base-model OHC 6-cylinder. Basically, it was a "stripper" with automatic, power steering and an AM radio. I took delivery in March, 1967. I really loved that car. The engine was pretty peppy for me and no, I wasn't an old man - I was 23 at the time. To my eye, it was one of the prettiest carss ever made and remains so to me now.

[allegory]

Pontiac ended up building one of the most beautiful cars ever, the first Firebirds look so much better than the first Camaros.

[trainglen]

I actually think that the Pontiac Firebird was better looking than the Camaro.

[ms]

I loved the Firebird styling this period over the Camaro.

[inforobob]

He meant the Mustang was built on an old Falcon chassis. Which it was.

[markchapmon]

It wasn't just a 6 cylinder, it was an overhead cam 6 cylinder! It was the only 6 cylinder (Corvair flat 6 excluded) that, in the 4 barrel carb version, could be had with a 4 speed manual transmission. Good stuff for the times. My cousin had one with the lower performance OHC 6. He later bought a wrecked 68 Firebird for the engine and transmission and I helped swap that OHC 6, 3 on the tree for a 350 Pontiac V8, turbohydramatic and he also swapped the steering column and added the floor shifter and console. It was a fun time, bunch of teenagers turning wrenches and daydreaming about girls!

[rogermemmer]

Don’t forget the Rockford Files! His gold Firebirds were all Formula 400s with the trim removed so the look plain Jane. I loved that show!

[darylrigney]

I have a 1967 Firebird 326 convertible w/3speed manual muncie transmission in the floor. It's been in the family since 1972 when my dad purchased it from the local Ford dealership after being traded in for a 1972 Torino. A Great fun car turns heads whenever I take it out for a nice cruise. Love Pontiacs of all years. I wish GM would bring back PMD as they should've never let it die off. Pontiac was always on the cutting edge with performance cars. Great video! Thanks for sharing.

[daveg.]

Thanks, Rick. I have owned 5 Firebirds, 3 Trans Am's, a '69 Firebird 400 and a Formula. I have an immaculate Car Show Honey of a Black on Black 2002 WS6 Trans Am sitting in the driveway right now. I ordered an Internet Search for it and may have bought the last black TA. It's my daily driver. Yesterday, a kid drove up and asked me how much I wanted for it, and I just laughed. I'm 86. That sweet machine ain't getting out of my sight.
Cheers.

[madmike]

Thanks for keeping Steve M.'s in your circle and thank you for helping him while he was ill and recovering!!!~

[robertchristie]

My wife bought a new '68 Forest green Firebird. Right after we married in '72, I put on a set of ET IV mags & a set of Goodrich T/A radials. It was a gorgeous car, but it did have a couple of issues. The trunk leaked causing the inside of the back window to major frost build-up & I even sat inside the closed trunk with a flashlight & my wife pouring water all over the area. Fuel economy was terrible for a 350 2 bbl maybe 11 in the city. We kept it until '77 when it began rusting & needed other repairs. A lot of fun & great memories though.

[carlosg]

I always loved the firebird more than the camaro nicer front clips and rear clips and interiors too .😊😊😊😊😊😊😊👍👍👍👍👍👍

[leonardpoindexter]

I bought a new 68 Firebird Sprint and loved it. Kept it until the rust doomed it.

[jamesmisener]

So much I could say about Firebirds and Camaros besides they were perfect for what they were in their early days. So I'll say this, that blue colour on the Firebird in this video is just right. Beautiful. Cheers, Rick. 🇨🇦

[KingOFuh]

Pontiac was my first car, a beautiful blue 1969 Tempest. Pontiac was also my last car, a 2005 Pontiac Vibe. Then, I died. I loved Pontiacs.

[Primus]

I always preferred the Firebird over the Camaro, especially the 1st generation. I also preferred the Cougar over the Mustang. I guess I just liked driving a great car that was a little more exclusive. Everywhere you looked was Camaros and Mustangs. 😉. Edit: That color blue was my absolute favorite ‘60s GM muscle & pony car color… looks great with Cragar S/S wheels.

[petersimpson]

The base 215 cyl was an OHV design whereas the "Sprint" 6cyl was a 230ci OVERHEAD CAM engine that made 165hp with the 1brl carb & 215hp with the Qjet 4bl carb.

[bobbyjones]

Wow, what a great video. Well, done! I had a 78 Trans Am in gold!

[Helm-wq]

The bird in the video reminds me of my 1967 Firebird. 400 cubes, drop top. Sea Mist green. Bought new in October of 1967 . I was 17. That car was fast

[CAROLDDISCOVER-]

Interesting that the Sprint circuit in Europe did not take off and that's why Pontiac built the 6 cylinder overhead cam option further firebird and GTO