The Pontiac Firebird was released five months after the Chevrolet Camaro, and offered buyers choices of six and eight cylinder engines. Pontiac was able to use that additional time to create a unique identity for the Firebird, despite having to use the Camaro chassis and some body panels.
Despite using the same front fenders, doors, and rear fenders as the Camaro, the Firebird's styled split front grille, beaked hood, and GTO-slitted taillights gave it a distinctly Pontiac apperance. But the key differentiator was under the hood, where the Firebird offered a range of Pontiac engines. Initially, five different Firebirds were available, named after their respective engine choices. At the bottom was the lowly 230 cubic inch OHC six cylinder engine with a single 1bbl carb, rated at a 165 bhp. Stepping up to the "Sprint" version got the buyer a 230 I6 with a 4bbl carb rated at 215bhp. Either six cylinder was linked to either a three or four speed manual or two-speed automatic transmission. Although the six cylinder engines were more powerful than Chevy's offerings, most buyers opted for one of the available V8 engines. At the bottom was Pontiac's 326 V8 with a two barrel carb that was rated at 250 bhp. A special "H.O." (High Output) version of the 326 V8 fitted with a four barrel carb was rated at 285bhp. At the top was the 400 V8 borrowed from the GTO. This engine was rated at 325 bhp, and was available with or without Ram Air (which suspiciously didn't affect the engine rating). The Ram Air engine included a hotter cam, stronger valve springs, and made use of the otherwise decorative hood scoops. With no publicized power increase and a hefty $600 price tag, the Ram Air option was rarely ordered. All V8s came with a standard heavy-duty three speed manual transmission; a four speed manual and two and three speed automatic transmissions were optional. Performance axle ratios up to 4.33:1 were available as well as front disk brakes. Firebird prices were roughly $200 more than comprable Camaros and the Camaro outsold it two to one. But Pontiac's pony car had arrived.
1967 Pontiac Firebird
Production:
Hardtop Coupe: 67,032
Convertible: 15,526
Engines:
230 I6 (1bbl) 165 bhp.
230 I6 (4bbl) 215 bhp.
326 V8 (2bbl) 250 bhp.
326 V8 HO (4bbl) 285 bhp.
400 V8 325 bhp @ 4800 rpm, 410 lb-ft @ 3400 rpm.
400 V8 (Ram Air) 325 bhp @ 5200 rpm, 410 lb-ft @ 3400 rpm.
Performance:
400/325: 0-60 in 6.2 sec, 1/4 mile in 14.7 sec @ 98 mph.
1968 Pontiac Firebird
The Pontiac Firebird
underwent minor changes for its second year. On the exterior, it lost its side
vent windows and gained fender marker lights. The interior was revised and the
rear suspension was refined with the adoption of staggered shocks in the rear
(one in front of the rear axle and one behind) and the use of new multi-leaf
rear springs. The big news was under the hood. The standard 400 engine gained 5
bhp to 330 while the Ram Air engine was rated at 335 bhp. In mid year, it was
replaced by the 340 bhp Ram Air II. Newly available was a third 400 V8, named
the HO (High Output) that was slotted between the two other engines. The 400 HO
cam with free-flow exhausts and its own revised cam (when mated to the four
speed manual). It too was rated at 335 bhp. On the lower side of the model line,
the 230 I6 was replaced by a new 250 I6 and the 326 V8s were replaced by new 350
V8s. Performance was definitely the key at Pontiac.
Production:
Hardtop Coupe: 90,152
Convertible: 16,960
Engines:
250 I6 (1bbl) 175 bhp @ 4800 rpm, 240 lb-ft @ 2400 rpm.
250 I6 (4bbl) 215 bhp @ 5200 rpm, 255 lb-ft @ 3800 rpm.
350 V8 (2bbl) 265 bhp @ 4600 rpm, 355 lb-ft @ 2800 rpm.
350 V8 HO (4bbl) 320 bhp @ 5100 rpm, 380 lb-ft @ 3200 rpm.
400 V8 (4bbl) 330 bhp @ 4800 rpm, 430 lb-ft @ 3300 rpm.
400 V8 HO (4bbl) 335 bhp @ 5000 rpm, 430 lb-ft @ 3400 rpm.
400 V8 (Ram Air) 335 bhp @ 5300 rpm, 430 lb-ft @ 3600 rpm.
Performance:
400/335 (HO): 0-60 in 5.5 sec, 1/4 mile in 14.2 sec @ 100 mph.
1969 Pontiac Firebird
The Pontiac Firebird
underwent a major restyling for the 1969 model year. The front end was redone
and the rear end and interior were changed slightly. The redesign did not do
well with customers, and sales fell, despite the fact that production lasted for
17 months, well into 1970 due to production problems with the 1970 model. The
Ram Air 400 was renamed the Ram Air IV and had a slight increase in power. The
400 HO option was known as either the Ram Air, Ram Air II, or simply HO. It too
received a slight increase in power. In March of 1969, Pontiac released a little
publicized option package, the Trans Am Performance and Appearance Package.
Conceived to campaign in the SCCA's road racing series (with a special 303 cubic
inch V8 which was never offered in production cars), Pontiac paid a $5 license
fee to SCCA for each Trans Am sold to use the name. Offered as a $725 option,
only 689 Firebird coupes and 8 convertibles (talk about a collectible) were
built. Although not apparent at the time, the Pontiac Firebird Trans Am, along
with the Chevrolet Corvette, would be the only American high performance cars
that would remain in continuous production since their inception. The Trans Am
came standard with the HO engine with Ram Air (also called the Ram Air III). The
only engine option was the 400 Ram Air IV, ordered on just 55 coupes. All Trans
Ams were Polar White with blue racing stripes, tail panel, and decals. The
exclusive hood had functional air intakes which could be closed by the driver
and functional fender scoops designed to vent the engine bay. A 60 inch rear
foil (spoiler) was mounted on the trunk. Although the Trans Am was no faster
than similarly equipped Firebirds, it represented the peak of Pontiac
performance excitement.
Production:
Hardtop Coupe: 76,059
Convertible: 11,649
Trans Am Hardtop Coupe: 689
Trans Am Convertible: 8
Engines:
250 I6 (1bbl) 175 bhp @ 4800 rpm, 240 lb-ft @ 2400 rpm.
250 I6 (4bbl) 215 bhp @ 5200 rpm, 255 lb-ft @ 3800 rpm.
350 V8 (2bbl) 265 bhp @ 4600 rpm, 355 lb-ft @ 2800 rpm.
350 V8 HO (4bbl) 320 bhp @ 5100 rpm, 380 lb-ft @ 3200 rpm.
400 V8 330 bhp @ 4800rpm, 430 lb-ft @ 3300 rpm.
400 V8 HO (4bbl) 335 bhp @ 5000 rpm, 430 lb-ft @ 3400 rpm.
400 V8 (Ram Air II) 335 bhp @ 5000 rpm, 430 lb-ft @ 3400 rpm.
400 V8 (Ram Air IV) 345 bhp @ 5400 rpm, 430 lb-ft @ 3700 rpm.
Performance:
400/335 (RA IV): 0-60 in 6.3 sec, 1/4 mile in 14.1 sec @ 101 mph.
