Time for a little before and after, or maybe in this case is a little before and some “still before”. Almost two years ago, we featured this 1969 Pontiac Firebird, which at the time was located in Connecticut (the before) and was said to belong to the son of the original owner. Today, that same car has relocated to Huntington, West Virginia (the after) and is once again looking for a new owner. So, what’s changed in two years? Not much (the still before). Let’s examine further as this Poncho pony car is available, here on eBay, for a current bid of $9,600 with 44 bids tendered so far.
I was initially drawn to this Firebird because it’s a non-Trans AM/H.O. performance derivative, the same as this ’70 example that we featured last week. There seem to be so few of these volume base models that have survived, especially unmolested, that they always warrant a look-see. The seller cuts to the chase by stating, “I’ve done nothing to the car since purchase“. OK then, he is also pretty adamant about, “RUST !!! The floors, trunk, driver’s side rocker, and passenger-side rear frame rail are history” – seems a bit more dramatic than it did two years ago. The body has some other rust-prone foibles identified but the finish is claimed to be 95% original.
The interior is considered to be salvageable but a complete “redo” is recommended. From what can be seen in the listing images, the carpet is obviously shot, (remember the condition of the floors) but the rest seems passable as is. A complete redo, however, is pretty straightforward as most interior items can be acquired online from one of several suppliers. The biggest challenge with an interior in a car of this era is frequently the headliner but its condition is unknown.
A 265 gross HP, 350 CI V8 engine will allow some yard driving time, providing you use a fuel can to feed the engine. Caution, as the seller states, “little to no brakes left” – that fuel can will get you moving but it sounds like you’ll need an anchor to do the stopping. Interestingly, a three-speed manual transmission handles gear changes. While being standard equipment on a base Firebird, and not unheard of in ’69, it seems that most sellers went the automatic gearbox route.
So, the “before and after” shows no improvement, actually based on the descriptions provided in both cases, it sounds as if this Firebird has further degraded in the two years that have passed. The seller pleads, “I have 4 firebirds, which is 2 too many…someone please save this one as I am overwhelmed“. OK, good suggestion, any takers out there?
I would have preferred a 326 if it was going to be a Pontiac engine. 350 only if it is a Chevy under the bonnet. Otherwise a nice car, will be nice when done.
What’s wrong with the Pontiac 350?
Why not a 350HO?
The 350 pontiac engine was not a Chevy 350 and was a better engine that the 326. Pontiac stopped useing the 326 in 1967. Only the 350 was offered after that.
Maybe the owner needs to sell it to buy a lawn mower. Lot of work ahead on this one.
I would imagine that steering wheel was not seen often on ’69 firebirds.
A much less busy/simpler/better looking dash here that IMO should also have been used in the ’69 camaro. I do not like the camaro’s optional clock (or empty area) front & center of the driver.
IMO, hood insulation seems crazy to me(here) – best on the big luxury models.
I’m guessing that Pontiac chromed the center section of the front, else it would look too much like the upcoming ’70 gto. Perhaps they should have retained the ’68 bumper design, maybe body coloring it.
Joenywf64,
Incorrect. This is the standard steering wheel for 1969 and would have been interior color matched. The wood steering wheel was an option. I agree on the the guage pods looking better on the Firebird rather than the Camaro, although I like the floor console guage cluster option on the Camaro better than the stacked optional gauge cluster on the Firebird on the dash. Regardless, a floor console is better than without. The front bumper is model year specific to 1969 Firebird. Yes the center section of the 3 piece bumper is chrome. The outside headlight surrounds are the endura material used on the 1970 GTO, but maybe they didn’t have all the technology worked out yet. Either way the front bumper is a dead giveaway for the model year vs. any other. I like it and own 3 1969’s.
I would have thought the delux steering wheel
https://www.firebirdcentral.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=STE-2022
would be a lot more common than the std one shown on this bird.
The console gages on the camaro are harder to see & you have to take your eyes off the road – & the small fuel gage IMO espec not belong there – you might forget about it & run out of gas especally if you have a 427 & high numerical gears & a heavy foot – or a 302 with cross ram two 4 barrels.. lol
You could mount some extra camaro like gages on the ’69 bird’s console if you really want some there – like oil temp, ammeter, voltmeter. & clock.
I acquired the correct correct clock that would mount in the square area (with Pontiac logo) left of the heater control unit for one of my cars. this is also the area for the optional temp, alt, and oil pressure gauge cluster. I have been looking for one of those clusters but it seems to elude me. The car I’m working on now had the aftermarket 3 gauge cluster double sided taped to the console but felt that looked cheesy. Another one of my cars has the same aftermarket setup attached to bottom of the dash. Nothing looks as good as factory correct options.
Back in 70-71 I had a 69 Firebird 400. It was Canary yellow with black vinyl top and American racing mags. 400 HO engine and 400 automatic. I loved that car. One of my favorite of all the hundreds of cars I’ve owned. It had a/c power steering and power brakes, wood grain center console and black vinyl interior.
God Bless America