Ford beat almost every other manufacturer to the punch with its hugely successful Mustang, although Plymouth trumped it by mere days with the Barracuda. General Motors struck back in 1967 with the Chevrolet Camaro and the Pontiac Firebird, with this first-year Firebird 326 Convertible a perfect example of the breed. Its presentation is hard to fault following a high-end repaint and an odometer reading of only 72,000 miles. It is set to head to a new home, with the seller listing the Firebird here on Craigslist in Allyn, Washington. I must say a big thank you to Barn Finder Curvette for spotting a classic that could be yours for $39,000.
It is fair to say that Ford caught the opposition napping when it released the First Generation Mustang. However, this was understandable, because few people would have envisaged that what was essentially a niche model would set showroom floors alight. General Motors responded surprisingly quickly, developing its own entry into the pony car sector. There were never plans for anything but a Chevrolet Camaro, but a last-minute decision allowed Pontiac to develop the Firebird. This Convertible rolled off the line in 1967, with the seller only its second owner. They have traced its history, confirming that it has never suffered any rust problems. They treated it to a repaint in its original Verdoro Green around four years ago, sinking a cool $12,000 into the exercise. The results justified the effort and expense, because this car is simply stunning. The paint looks flawless, there are no visible panel problems, and the hood tach adds a sense of purpose. The power top, in Black, is new, fitting as tight as a drum. The trim is comfortably acceptable for a driver-grade classic, and the Firebird rolls on Rally wheels wrapped in tires from the fine folks at BF Goodrich.
The first owner teamed the Firebird’s Green exterior with an interior trimmed in Gold vinyl. The seller recently replaced the door trims, but it appears that the remaining upholstered items are original. The driver’s seat base exhibits stretching, but that is one of the few cosmetic shortcomings. The rest of the interior is extremely tidy, and while it isn’t optioned to the max, the buyer will receive the previously-mentioned hood tach, a console, a tilt wheel, and a factory radio.
As the model designation suggests, lifting this Firebird’s hood reveals a 326ci V8. The V8 is backed by a three-speed manual transmission, with this car also featuring power steering. The 326 offered respectable performance when compared to the equivalent Mustang, placing a factory-quoted 250hp at the driver’s disposal. The exterior isn’t the only aspect of this Pontiac to receive attention while in the care of its current owner, because the engine has been the subject of a $4,000 rebuild. The process included hardened valve seats to cope with unleaded fuel and the installation of an aluminum radiator to control temperatures. The seller states that this beauty runs and drives as nicely as it would have in 1967, with no leaks or drips to mar your garage floor. It is simply a matter of twisting the key and hitting the road for a spot of classic motoring pleasure.
Pontiac released the Firebird hot on the heels of the Mustang’s most successful sales year. Competing against an established player would always be a challenge, and the tally of 82,560 buyers who gave one a home during the first year must have been satisfying. Of those, 15,528 chose the Convertible, relishing the prospect of a wind-in-the-hair motoring experience. This first-year example is a beauty, and its needs appear to be minor. The seller isn’t desperate, but they are willing to consider trades for the right vehicle. If you have something in your garage that shows promise, contacting the seller might be the first step in becoming this Pontiac’s new owner.
It’s not cheap, but a car you won’t see too often. I’d prefer a tan canvas convertible top over the black on this one. If it were mine I would not be in a hurry to sell either
Beauty. GLWTS.
Beautiful ‘bird. As I have written before and recently. Alot of fun times spent teaching new drivers in a green Firebird convertible.
It’s nice they kept it stock with the 326 and 3 speed and didn’t put a 400 hood and 4 speed on it great color combo but I’d prefer a tan top too.
It must have been a tough call back in ’67 if you were in the market for a pony car. I’m a rabid Ford fan, but the first year Firebird… beauty. Better than the first year Mustang.
For me,I would have had the engine bored to a 428 ci but kept it looking like a stock 326. But hey,that’s just me. The car looks great and should sell quickly. Great choice on the body shop or painter who applied the paint. It looks very well done. No runs,no drips and no errors. GLWTA
Wow! Really beautiful Firebird! I like the idea of a tan top too but not sure it would be in keeping with the originality of this car.
A great combination of color and style! The 326 V8 was the next step up from the 230/250 OHC Sprint Six and far more common. I like the styling of the 67-68 ‘Birds better, the chrome nose adds a touch of class. The Endura front end on the ’69 examples has grown on me, but is just a bit bland compared to these. I’m on the fence as to which version, the ’67 or ’68 I like best. The ’67 had vent windows, a nice touch before air conditioning became commonplace, but the ventless side windows are a cleaner look. The only thing keeping it from perfection is a “four-on-the-floor”, LOL! GLWTS!
I agree Robert, but having driven all engine versions of this vehicle, I prefer the OHC 6 with a 4 speed. The 400 is a blast with any transmission. But the V8s just feel a little nose heavy when pushing through a fun corner. (Just remember there is virtually no difference in weight between a 400 and 326.) The OHC 6 Sprint package with the 4 speed is a delight to drive hard and still comfy to just drive normal. (whatever normal is besides a setting on the drier.)
My younger brother bought a 1969 Firebird Sprint for $1200 in 1980, when we were in college. Carousel Red, a.k.a. Hugger Orange on a Camaro, with a hood tach and “three-on-the-floor”, we had rebuilt the entire driveline over the winter of 1980-81, when baby brother decided to study in Europe over the summer of 1981, before he could put his car back together. I drafted a friend to help me get the car running and driving again, and we fired the car up the day he came home for the start of school in the fall of 1981.
The car needed some bad body repairs redone, the right rear quarter panel was full of Bondo, but before we could tackle that chore, the boys from Midnight Auto Supply, “The Home of the Five-Fingered Discount”, stole it from our dorm parking lot in the spring of 1982, never to return! We figure it was stripped for parts and what was left was torched or dumped into the Merrimack River or one of the canals in Lowell, MA. God, I miss that car!
I also have a 1967 Firebird and this is a nice example. John Delorean ran Pontiac and was father of the GTO, Firebird and Grand Prix. He was the cool dude of his day and a real car guy. His model wife was at a party and saw a green ashtray and said Pontiac should use the color as paint,