The Pontiac Firebird is one of the legendary muscle cars that helped birth the concept, but is sadly no longer around today. The first model year dropped in 1967 with something called “Coke bottle styling,” an automotive design with a narrow center surrounded by flared fenders. Unlike its sibling, the Camaro, the Firebird had fenders integrated into the front end, with rear slit tail lights and quad headlights. Engine options ranged from low-displacement 6-cylinders to high-displacement V-8s mated to either an automatic or manual transmission. This particular 1967 Pontiac Firebird Convertible is one of the most special examples currently available on the market. Not only is it a first-year Firebird, but it is the fifth ever produced, with a build date marked as the 3rd week of December 1966. The list of firsts doesn’t stop there; this was the first Firebird V-8 optioned with the 8-track stereo from the factory and reportedly the first Firebird produced with the 400 CI V-8 and 3-speed automatic transmission combination. Following its production, VIN No. 5 was reportedly invoiced and shipped to Pontiac Engineering in primer, where it was draped in a stunning Tyrol Blue paint job over a matching blue interior. Weirdly enough, the billing history lists the car as Starlight Black, and the trim tag reads “show8body” instead of a body number. In 2022, this Firebird’s meticulous restoration was completed, and the result is a car that, despite its restoration, still feels like a step back in time. New sheet metal was installed, including a one-piece floor pan, tail panel, outer wheelhouses, quarter panels and door skins. The drivetrain remains numbers-matching, with PHS documentation included, while the shocks were replaced with period-correct reproductions. The exhaust was also replaced with a correct-style setup, as was the hood tachometer that Pontiacs were revered for in their day. Even the glass was replaced with panels that bear the correct date code for a 1967 Firebird. The interior was replaced with new code 255 trim bucket seats and a folding rear seat, and boasts a restored Custom Sport steering wheel, a center console, a rebuilt 8-track stereo radio, and even front and rear seat belts. Gorgeous code JA Rally II wheels with new, correct-style E70x14 redline tires accentuate the period details. Other equipment includes a power convertible top, power windows, power steering, power brakes with front discs, a tilt steering column and a new battery. It’s hard to put into words just how special this 1967 Pontiac Firebird is. Even for those who aren’t muscle car or automotive enthusiasts, the historical value on display here is unfathomable. The degree of period-correctness in its restoration is impressive, making this car a one-of-a-kind, museum-worthy example deserving of celebration.
