Sometimes one manufacturer can catch another napping, and such was the case with the First Generation Firebird and its cousin, the Chevrolet Corvette. Ford blindsided General Motors when it slipped the covers off the Mustang in 1964, and it took Pontiac nearly three years to produce a competitor. It proved an effective weapon but never achieved the stratospheric sales totals of the Blue-Oval competition. This first-year Firebird Convertible presents well, featuring a V8/4-speed drivetrain combination. It could serve as a tidy driver, although it would take little money or effort to lift its presentation to a higher level. It needs a new home, with the seller listing it here on eBay in Kenosha, Wisconsin. The bidding has raced to $18,100 in a No Reserve auction, meaning it is days away from finding that new owner.

The seller indicates their younger brother purchased the Firebird a few months ago, not hesitating in slipping behind the wheel to drive it from its sale location on a two-hour trip to his home. The car presents well, although it did receive an older repaint in its original shade of Code N Burgundy. A previous owner added the contrasting White stripes, although removing them would not be challenging if the new owner seeks a more “stock” appearance. The paint shines well, with only a few marks and chips to reveal its age. The same applies to the panels, which have a few minor bumps and bruises. The previous owner kept the car in a heated garage when it wasn’t prowling the streets, helping explain its rust-free status. The seller went over the panels with magnets, finding no signs of Bondo or other nasty surprises. The Black power top fits as tight as a drum, the chrome appears good for a survivor-grade car, and the Rally II wheels and trim rings look excellent.

Powering this Pontiac is a 326ci V8 that sends 250hp to the road via the rear wheels and a four-speed manual transmission. There is also power steering for those wishing to experience effortless driving. The performance of this classic should be comparable to the competition, with this Convertible capable of covering the ¼ mile in 16.1 seconds. The seller indicates the previous owner treated the transmission to a rebuild, stating the clutch and transmission function smoothly. They say the title indicates a genuine odometer reading of 36,000 miles, but with no other proof, I’d probably treat the claim at face value. The engine is believed to be original, but as with the odometer reading, the seller isn’t certain of that fact. It runs and drives well, allowing the successful bidder to fly in and drive home.

The Pontiac’s interior looks tidy, trimmed in Red vinyl. It includes a console with the shifter for the four-speed poking through. The seller believes the carpet may be reasonably new, but the remaining trim and upholstery look original. There are no rips, tears, or evidence of UV damage. The state of the wheel makes the mileage claim seem plausible, with no apparent problems. It isn’t highly optioned, and there are aftermarket additions. The previous owner fitted a radio/cassette player, an oh-so-1980s Alpine graphic equalizer, and four matching speakers. Swapping the cassette for factory items should be possible, but with the speakers cut into the kick panels and rear trims, the buyer may need to start shopping around if they crave originality.

The sales figures demonstrate the scale of the mountain Pontiac faced with the 1967 Firebird. Ford sold an incredible 472,121 Mustangs that year, while Firebird sales numbered 82,560. The Hardtop outnumbered the Convertible by more than 4:1, with 15,528 buyers selecting the drop-top. Many succumbed to the rust issues that plagued cars from this era, while others were driven to destruction by uncaring owners. This Convertible has survived in a tidy state, and some minor panel and paint work would lift its presentation to a higher level. However, its needs are so minor that its new owner could drive it indefinitely untouched. The bidding sits at a modest level for a vehicle of this type, but it could climb as high as $30,000 if two or more people set their hearts on ownership. Are you willing to join the bidding party? If you do, I think I speak for our readers when I wish you good luck.