Pontiac Firebird 400 convertible 1967

400 cubic inch 6. 6 litre Pontiac Firebird convertible

This car is from the first year of production and was GM/Pontiac's response to the Mustang.

It is the same basic chassis as the Camero (and some other mid sized GM products) differing from the Camero only with the front nose section and tail lights and one or 2 trim details. I think it's best bit is the wild nose/bumper detail that set it apart from its contemporaries along with the “coke-bottle” styling of the era.

The car was renovated some years ago in the USA with new floors. paint and engine/transmission update.

The paint is good and shiny but isn't perfect being a home-done effort and I think the car has had a colour change from an original metallic green. The body-shell and subframes are good and sound with no rust that I can find. I have undersealed it all to protect it and would recommend it is waxoiled if it is to be used in all weather.

I bought the car from a dealer in St Charles Ilinois and had it shipped to the UK (in a container) earlier this year but it originally came from Kansas with the last owner being registered in Tonganoxie. Sadly the dealer did not provide me with as much history as he promised and I am trying to make contact with the last owner to get some more facts.

From the vin number and engine number I believe both the car and engine were built in Kansas. there is a service in the US to get original build sheets etc but I don't normally bother with this as it quite expensive for the limited pleasure it provides me!

The engine is from a 1975 car so is a change from the original unit. all the numbers on it confirm it is a 400 ci unit. it runs smoothly and powerfully and has been properly set up. The transmission is a 3 speed auto unit with floor shifter (also new) and is smooth with imperceptible changes in ratios.

The car benefits from many many new parts including the new floors; new fuel tank. lines and pump; new UK battery; new Edelbrock 1405 carburettor and manifold; new aluminium radiator and electric fan; new wiring loom and some switches. head lamps and other lamp holders; new exhausts; service items including new leads and plugs. I have also replaced and fettled many smaller parts such as seals and locks etc etc so it all works properly. my shopping list was quite extensive after it arrived. I also got the reprint factory workshop manual and Firebird supplement.

The power assisted brakes were overhauled in the US by the dealer and work really well and even though they are drums they are powerful and effective.

The hood cover has been replaced at some point and is clean and un-marked with a sound frame and header rail and as it is a power hydraulic unit it goes up and down smoothly and easily. There is also a tonneau cover for when it is down. also newish.

I have fitted new American Racing style 15 inch rims and Cooper tyres that really set it off and there is a genuine space saver spare and electric pump in the trunk.

The interior is free of rips or tears and the side trims and door panels are relatively new. the seats are great and in sound condition and are quite comfortable with new lap belts have been fitted front and rear. It is all in very good condition and a nice place to be. The only thing that appears to be missing is the heater matrix and I now wonder if it used to have air con that has been removed at some point. I was going to modify it and install a system or simply a new matrix from Car Builder Solutions (kit car parts) when I felt the need.

I have refurbished the front suspension with all new bushes and dampers (inc setting up the tracking) and dampers at the back. The car drives straight and true with no wandering and handles really well for a car like this. In fact a friend of mine. who is a serial Mustang enthusiast. drove it and came back with a big grin saying it was a revelation and went and handled better and rattled less than his current (lovely) 1967 289 Mustang convertible!

The car is UK registered and MOT'd with all taxes and duties paid and is registered as a historic 1967 car so is road tax free.

So in summary this is a lovely usable car. it is not perfect but is solid and fun to use. it is best described as lived in or patinated and is just the type of condition I personally like. wearing its history with pride. It is the sort of car you could enjoy it as it is just keeping on top of polishing and maintenance or continue to improve it. either way I don't think it will disappoint at this price. Parts are easy to get hold of from the States and even with shipping are no more expensive than parts for some UK cars from UK specialists. Rock Auto were my main supplier and their service is exceptional with items generally arriving within a couple of days.

I am only selling it because I have been made redundant and so a toy has to go and it is the usual case of last in first out (like me it seems)!

Also published at eBay.co.uk

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