I like first-gen Firebirds. Why? because they’re not first-gen Camaros. Don’t get me wrong, the first-gen Camaro is my favorite of Chevrolet’s initial and famous pony car, there are just so doggone many of them – and more on the way with Dynacorn bodies. In the case of the Firebird, it’s more like the seldom seen and this is an extremely nice first-year example – and it’s a convertible! Located in Washington, Illinois is this 1967 Pontiac Firebird convertible and it’s available, here on eBay for $40,000, reserve not yet met.
The story on this Firebird is lengthy and apparently involves two restorations, one completed in 2017 and the other in 2019. Resto one saw the original 326 CI engine swapped for a 370 HP, 428 CI V8, and the born-with three-speed manual transmission jettisoned in favor of a Turbo-Hydramatic 400 automatic. That in itself is surprising as many seem to want to go from an automatic back to a manual, and a three-speed to four-speed manual transition would have been easier to facilitate than an automatic upgrade. The motor, which has experienced about 2,000 miles of use on its rebuild, has had additional modifications which draw it further away from stock. Good to know is that with all of this Poncho’s new-found power, front disc brakes have been added to slow it down faster and straighter. All of the suspension components, including those pesky bushings, were replaced too.
Two years later, this Firebird was “restored” again with a new paint job, apparently, the old one was damaged in transit. It has been bestowed with a two-stage job in its original shade of “Tyrol Blue” and then sealed. Also, upgrades occurred to turn this standard Firebird 326 into a Firebird 400 including the Ram Air option. That improvement required, “the correct hood, front bumper, grills, open hood lovers, underhood air deflector from hood louvers to the air cleaner, a ram air cleaner, radiator airflow block-off plates to stop recirculation of air around the radiator, fan clutch, bumper, hood and trunk emblems, and black carpet. A lighted hood-mounted tachometer was also added during the restoration“. The presentation is nothing short of excellent!
Back to restoration number one and the interior – it has all been replaced. A Firebird “Custom” interior, consisting of new seat covers, door/side panels, automatic transmission console, dash pad, passenger grab bar, and steering wheel replaces the original Firebird “standard” interior. The parchment color, however, is original. Additional improvements include a new top well liner and fabric top, a refinished top frame, and new convertible top latches. It honestly looks too good to sit in, it’s just perfect. Interestingly, this Firebird is outfitted as a “radio-delete” (radio not ordered) car though there is a “radio-included” instrument panel template available with the sale. The seller mentions that the “cocktail shakers”, also known as vibration-dampers, are installed at all four corners. These items, also used with first-gen Camaro convertibles combat cowl-shake and are frequently found missing.
This ‘Bird is a bit hard to define, it’s not original, it’s not a survivor, it’s not a hot rod or a restomod, but it has had substantial modifications all while being kept within the Pontiac family. And the seller is upfront, he refers to it as a clone, though the engine doesn’t exactly comply with that definition. As I stated at the outset, I like first-gen Firebirds but this convertible seems almost too nice to actually use; one would worry about every possible chip-inducing stone or some other unavoidable challenge arising to greet you at every outing. So, what’s your preference, a ’67 Firebird 400 or a ’67 Camaro SS?
I love this car. I had a 1968 firebird with a 1967 428 HO and a 1966 tri power set up with an automatic. It was scary fast. could not keep the tires from breaking loose in any gear. I would love to have this car!
I could see Royal Pontiac building such a ‘bird, a 428 powered street sweeper, disguised as any other Firebird convertible. If it’s a clone or tribute to anything I’d say dealer special.
Great looking machine, just be sure not to spill Anything on those white seats
Tony S, I was just thinking if Royal or even a special Order 428 ever find its way into the Firebird or GTO. Back in the day back in Detroit, I recall SOMEONE swapping a 428 into a Goat or F’Bird?? Maybe a limityed run from GM???Came with a 12 month warranty, I believe(like the Hemis)…
@David Bailey,,,A dealer in New York sold 428 powered Firebirds, probably only a few, of course Royal had built cars like that, other dealers as well. I thought Jim Wangers drove a 428 powered Firebird. Maybe it was a GTO.
You couldn’t get it from pontiac there were special dealers you have them installl a 428 in a firebird . My brother had a 428 burntorange white convertible with a 428 in it. Automatic you could get the 428 in a Catalina or boniville not a firebird I quest gm was scared to go against Chevy camaro.
1968…..my first Hot Wheel….a Custom Firebird convertible in blue. Have had a soft spot for the first generation ever since. A 68 in green is one of my bucket list cars.
I thought the same thing! I thought that looks just like one of the first Hot Wheels I had
Call it whatever you like. I would call it mine if possible.
Sold my 67 convertible 72k miles 4spd tyrol blue/black deluxe interior converted to the 400 for 35k. Good luck on 40.on an automatic. I am sincere in that comment. They should be worth more than a Camaro with that nose. What a beautiful car.
I definitely would not have changed it from a standard transmission to an automatic!! That’s just me!!
Very nice – but who replaces a manual for an automatic on car like this?
Having driven standard transmission cars almost exclusively for over 40 years, I would be OK with swapping an auto into a car like this. I think that if you are old enough to have the interest and the money for this car you are probably years over the ‘thrill’ of street light drag races or peeling out for the delight of the crowd. Plenty of power to get you anywhere and no need to race to the next red light. And I’d drive the thing. Nothing so rare that it can’t be enjoyed as it was meant to.
I never owned one but I had the use of one for the summer of 75. The girl that got away.. Still think about her. I don’t know why that one would be hard to drive, mine was like a skateboard with a steering wheel.
Already over 44k. Always like the early Firebirds.
I find these early Firebirds to be a tiny bit more attractive than their concurrent Camaro relatives, too. Being a laid back sort of person tho, I would have just restored this car to it’s original condition with the possible exception being a manual transmission with more gear/gears?
Beautiful colors, tho I am not sure if I would care to have a car with white seats. My current car is a Mustang convertible with a sort of tan interior and even that color stains a bit too easily for my tastes.
Beautiful ‘bird, perfect colors.
Nicely done car! the only things I would do would be to replace the steering wheel and deleting the 428 emblem on the fan shroud.
SOLD for $48,600.
I had a 68 that had a 428 that I thought someone swapped out, now after reading these comments, I’m starting to wonder.
I Got A 67 Firebird 400 Convertible Used In 1971 With Less Than 50,000 Miles For $999. It Was Midnight Blue With A White Convertible Top And Dark Blue Interior. It Had A Turbo 400 3 Speed Automatic. No AC, Power Steering Or Power Brakes. Only One Fan Belt. I Rebuilt The Engine. I Had It Acid Dipped And Magna Fluxed Before Putting In A Crane 3/4 Race Fireball Cam W/Dual Springs And Aluminum Retainers. Then Added An Edelbrock Tarantula Manifold With A Holley 780 Dual Feed Carburetor And Hooker Competition Headers. This Fire Breathing Firebird Could Really Fly, 7MPG! I Put In A B&M Shift Kit. I Could Get Rubber In All 3 Gears. I Miss That Car!