A bit dilapidated but all there, this 1969 Pontiac Firebird has the promise of being what every Barn Finder hopes to lay his or her hands on: the elusive California original. Is this that car? It appears that it was in possession of the original owners until recently discovered, though that doesn’t necessarily make it a dream machine. The car is available here on craigslist for an asking price of $22,500. It awaits in La Crescenta, a suburb just north of LA. Thanks to Pat L. for this excellent tip.
We all know that the Mustang dropped in April of 1964 to tremendous interest, which is why Ford gets credit for inventing the pony car category. Plymouth’s Barracuda came out around the same time, leaving General Motors without a player in the game. It took nearly three years to right that missed sales opportunity, with the Camaro being released and, about five months later, the Pontiac Firebird, for model year 1967. That first generation lasted until 1969, making the car offered here the last-of-the-first. If the claim that it was parked in 1988 is accurate, then it has been sitting more than half its life.
There’s not a ton of information in the ad, and the images are few, so let’s note a couple of things. First off, the license plate is not the coveted California “black plate,” which would date to the era. Rather, it’s one that has been issued in the last few weeks or months, bearing contemporary colors and a “9A” number. Still, California has reissued the black plate style—so, for a price, you can re-create that ‘60s look. In addition, there’s no way to know what shape the 350-CID engine is in, though the seller does say you could drive the car home—let’s assume that doesn’t mean “to Nebraska.” The car has over 122,000 miles on it, as testified by the fact that the odo is broken at 22K and has rolled over. Without an under-hood shot, we also don’t know what accessories are installed to make the car easier and more fun to drive. Power steering? Air conditioning? Does that matter with a four-speed stick backing up a 350 cubic-inch engine?
What we can see from the photos is revealing, including a very tidy interior, likely never messed with. The piping on the edge of the driver’s seat is coming apart, but there’s no way you’d be wise to re-do the car inside. It’s too original to touch. Anyway, you’re going to have to concentrate your time and budget on other areas, ie. the body. The ad says the car has “minor rust in common places,” but it looks worse than that. The hood appears to be rusted through (is that a common place?), and the vinyl top, famous for holding water and causing rot, appears to have done just that on both passenger and driver’s sides, judging by the uneven texture that appears there. The base of the front fenders also seems to have rust that will need attention. It would be nice to imagine that you could leave the Warwick Blue factory paint alone, if indeed what’s shown is what GM sprayed in 1969, but with the rust issues, you’re probably going to have to strip and repair it, if only just to preserve the body from further damage. If the rust was caused by water, further, you’ve very likely going to have a badly rotted trunk floor. For now, this car, as they say, “Is what it is,” and you’ll wait a while for the next one to come along. On the other hand, the asking number is at the top end given the car’s present condition. Then again, sometimes dreams don’t come cheap.
Do we even know that it is a four speed Brian? The Craigslist posting only lists it as a manual.
Among the Craig’s List photos is one showing a 4-speed pattern on the ball. A factory 3-speed with a floor shift was available with the console, however.
This doesn’t appear to be a 350 HO Firebird. That means the original engine has a 2-barrel unless somebody changed it. There’s no center A.C. duct, so factory air is out. I don’t see $22,000 worth of value, frankly.
More photos showing the rust and describing the mechanical work needed would go a long way to help sell this car. And in my opinion, the seller’s sprinkling of attitude isn’t really benefical.
agreed on need for pictures but I didn’t see the problem with asking for “no low ball offers” or “is the car still for sale?” it is time consuming to sell a car, he’s trying to reduce the BS…..IMO 👍
I’ll have to choose the 66 Impala SS. Much better shape than this ? Firebird?.
Is it just me or does the top picture look like the front half of the car is extended? probably the lens of the camera.
The interior is pretty nice for being original, but the blue gut on a teal exterior doesn’t cut it for me . The 69 Firebirds are my favorite; if I was to get it I would have to change the interior to black , it would match the vinyl top and go better with the teal
It’s not Teal, it is Warwick Blue. The blue interior matches perfectly. The paint is just original and faded.
Looks more like Crystal Turquoise to me, which is like teal . its teal in the door jams as well, where it wouldn’t fade
I’ve seen a lot worse for a lot more. Orig. engine a plus if floors & trunk are still there, probably not to bad price wise, especially if seller will mist likely take 20
Needs a better look for serious buyers
Brian Kennedy, yes, the hoods do rust in that area!
It’d be fabulous if it was a Sprint 6-equipped car…
still, pretty solid, nothing that can’t be handled by the decent population of home-based body folks out there.
Family owned both a 1969 Sprint OHC6 car with 3 speed (and console) and a 350 with 4 speed (with console). I can say the overhead cam car was much more nimble and the V8 was just downright muscle-y. No need for an HO or T/A when doing normal, everyday grocery-getting and church-going.
This is my favorite year Firebird, but it needs to have the black soft top (convertible) and with the 4 spd is like icing on the cake. I would also strip down to bare metal do needed repairs and do a factory Blue repaint, that is just my preference, and I am sure many would disagree. As far as being a California original that is questionable but if you want period correct black plates, I will never go for the new repop junk from dmv, you’re better off buying YOM plates (dmv clear) from a reputable dealer and get the correct letter sequence for 1969. May cost you about $350 for everything but when done you just have the annual reg fees. The new black plates will set you back the fees + another $80 each year.
Price reduced to $18,500.