1969 Pontiac Firebird Hardtop

When Pontiac introduced the Firebird in mid-1967, they were officially entering the pony car race. Ford was leading the field with this very popular Mustang, and Chevrolet had their Camaro which was also proving to be what the public was seeking. Five months after the Camaro's introduction, the Firebird entered production and offered buyers a choice of both six- and eight-cylinder engines. The Firebird was based heavily on the Chevrolet Camaro chassis design. It used the same front fenders, doors, and rear fenders as the Camaro, but had a split front grille, beaked hood, and GTO-styled louvered taillights.

This 1969 Pontiac Firebird Two-Door Sport Coupe is serial number 00001, making it the very first of a very long list of pony cars, muscle cars, pace cars, television and movie cars, and limited and special edition cars that would come, all wearing the name Firebird. The car was sent to California dealer, Nelson Pontiac, in Van Nuys. It was to be used as a show car and touring piece, but it was never turned back into Pontiac, and the dealer kept it for himself.

The car was well equipped with a new 400 cubic-inch motor, automatic transmission, power steering, power brakes, air conditioning, tilt column with simulated wood steering wheel, five spoke Rally II wheels, red line tires, remote trunk release, shoulder harness belts, headrests, gauges with clock, and intermittent wipers all in a deluxe interior.

The car is painted in Verdoro Green over black, and retains the correct original numbers matching engine and transmission. It has a recent restoration with only about 1,150 miles on the odometer since the work was completed.

In 2009, this Firebird Sport Coupe was offered for sale at the Houston Classic Auction in Seabrook, Texas, presented by Worldwide Auctioneers. The car was estimated to sell for $70,000 - $90,000. It failed to sell after reaching a high bid of $50,000.

By Daniel Vaughan | May 2009