I can’t imagine owning a classic like a 1969 Pontiac Firebird and deciding to leave it in storage for four decades. That was the fate of this car, although it was recently rescued and revived. It isn’t perfect, but it is a survivor the new owner could drive and enjoy immediately. The Firebird is listed here at Hemmings in White Plains, New York. The seller is firm on their sale price of $15,000, and I must say a big thank you to Barn Finder Mitchell G. for spotting it.
We don’t receive a complete history of this Firebird, but there is enough to provide an insight into its life. The seller recently purchased the car from its original owner in Connecticut. They used it regularly before placing it into dry storage around forty years ago. While it isn’t perfect, it could be preserved in its current form as a survivor. Its panels wear Antique Gold paint that now looks, well, antique! It has marks and imperfections and has developed that distinctive matte appearance that often plagues this paint type. A repaint could form one part of a light cosmetic restoration, but the buyer has some rust repairs requiring their attention before they pick up the spray gun. It is confined to the left rear quarter panel, and although the photos make it hard to make a definitive call, it looks like some well-crafted patches could address the issue. The rest of this Firebird is rock-solid, while the trim and glass are excellent.
Considering this Pontiac’s exterior appearance, the interior is a revelation. It isn’t perfect because the dash pad has a couple of significant cracks. Someone ditched the factory radio and mounted a radio/cassette player in the ashtray recess. That’s a first for me, but they say you learn something new every day! The kick panels are discolored, although that appears to be the end of the bad news. The Gold vinyl upholstery looks excellent, with no wear on the seats or marks on the door trims. The carpet is impressive, and the painted surfaces are pretty clean. An online search should uncover a correct radio and ashtray assembly. Add their cost to the $330 for a replacement pad and the $180 for a couple of kick panels, and this interior should look pretty stunning.
Lifting the hood reveals this Firebird’s point of difference from most similar cars that cross our desks. Its engine bay houses the 250ci OHC six that sends 175hp to the road via an automatic transmission, although the seller doesn’t reveal whether it is a Powerglide or a Hydramatic. Most potential buyers will hope for the latter because the Powerglide negatively impacts the performance of a car with relatively modest power at the driver’s disposal. If the original owner selected the Hydramatic, the ¼-mile journey would take 17.4 seconds. The Powerglide sees that figure balloon to 18.1 seconds. The seller indicates this Firebird’s drivetrain is original, although they pulled the motor for a rebuild. They repainted the engine bay before bolting the motor back into place a week ago. Breaking in the rebuilt six will be one task for the buyer to undertake once they’ve handed over the cash.
I’m sure we will have readers who will look at this 1969 Firebird and discount it immediately due to its lack of a V8. Others will plan how to rectify that perceived shortcoming as part of a custom build. That still leaves a fair percentage who would opt for preservation or a faithful restoration. I’m with them because cars like this represent an essential part of the pony car story. They allowed potential owners to buy into the lifestyle at an affordable price. That was the key to the segment’s success. However, many of these entry-level vehicles received mechanical upgrades because it was a popular choice during the 1970s and 1980s. Original and unmolested examples are hard to find, so I won’t be surprised if someone saves this classic. It might not have the cachet of a ’69 Trans Am, but that makes it no less worthy of preservation. Do you agree?
This Firebird seems to be nice car for the price as $15K doesn’t buy you too much these days. I’d probably address the interior issues, patch the rust and give it a fresh paint job. It would be a nice, fairly economical daily driver for most of the year. I hope the new owner keeps the straight six and doesn’t modify the car with an engine swap and other mods.
I agree, even though I’m all about the muscle in ” muscle car ” it would be a shame to replace the OHC 6, an engine you very seldom see…..
I remember an old Hot Rod magazine, that stated, 6 in-a-row CAN be made to go !
The one engine mod I would do is to find the Sprint 4bbl carb, manifold and camshaft. That would get you 215 HP. Then swap the anemic Powerglide transmission for a 4 speed Muncie and while it won’t break any records it will be a fun peppy car to drive and still be “original”.
Replace the automatic with a four speed and it is original still. I don’t think so.
The only thing the car needs is a 4 speed. Automatics rip the heart out of these inline 6’s. Loving this one with an overhead cam!
I’m fairly certain the two speed was a Turbo 300, not a Powerglide. Bell housing bolt patterns are different Between Chevy and BOP.
Err, Super Turbine 300. It’s been a long time and back in the day we just sloppily called them Turbo 300’s.
This car is in the area I live in and I actually saw it. Drove by it the other day on my way to work so I couldn’t stop and look. But it did appear to be fairly clean – no dents, rust, missing parts or parts from multiple cars were noticable while driving past it at 30mph. Please note that a clean car in NY is worlds different than what a clean car somewhere in the west or south west means.
This is the same car that Russ Dixon wrote up on March 26 2023. The price has gone down $2,000.
The Australian Charger E38 265 cid 6 cylinder 6 pack was good for 280 horsepower that was 1972 I believe.
Probably get a good amount out of the Pontiac as well but probably be expensive.
The 265 Hemi 6 pack in the E49 was good for 302 HP.
I’ve lusted after one of these for years. I truly enjoy having something totally different from everyone else. Straight sixes with nice exhaust and induction mods sound awesome. 👍🏻
I had a 69 firebird convertible while serving in the Army back in 1975. It was a six cylinder with a three speed manual on the floor. I was stationed in MA that salted their roads in the winter, so had some rust too. Loved driving it. Wish I still had it.
Like I said before and i’ll say it again. Keep that GM all GM. Keep that
Pontiac 🔥 bird 🦅 all Pontiac Fire 🔥 bird 🦅. Which means in simple layman’s terms keep everything original. Needs Dashboard get in contact with NPD “National Parts Depot” they should have the dashboard that PFB needs. For the rust on the left rear quarter panel very carefully do 3 options. Option 1. Sandblast the rust areas. 2. Surgically have the rusted areas removed, replaced with new metal. 3.order a new left rear quarter panels Fender replacement. 4. Still not sure 🤔 go for the Gusto act and pretend that it’s Miller Time. Do a Complete Total off the Frame Restoration and Rebuild Restore, engine as well to. Find a really good reputable auto body repair technician specialists.
Not only do they stand behind on their work but also really take pride in their work which is very, very, very rare today.
To me that Pontiac Fire🔥bird is worth whatever the bidding amount that it’s going for. If I had the proper funds & room to add to my collection.
Like I said before and i’ll say it again. Keep that GM all GM. Keep that
Pontiac 🔥 bird 🦅 all Pontiac Fire 🔥 bird 🦅. Which means in simple layman’s terms keep everything original. Needs Dashboard get in contact with NPD “National Parts Depot” they should have the dashboard that PFB needs. For the rust on the left rear quarter panel very carefully do 3 options. Option 1. Sandblast the rust areas. 2. Surgically have the rusted areas removed, replaced with new metal. 3.order a new left rear quarter panels Fender replacement. 4. Still not sure 🤔 go for the Gusto act and pretend that it’s Miller Time. Do a Complete Total off the Frame Restoration and Rebuild Restore, engine as well to. Find a really good reputable auto body repair technician specialists.
Not only do they stand behind on their work but also really take pride in their work which is very, very, very rare today.
To me that Pontiac Fire🔥bird is worth whatever the bidding amount that it’s going for. If I had the proper funds & room to add to my collection. That’s how I would solve that problem. Can you dig it.
I SAID! Can you DIG IT!
The stance seems abit awkward to me. And;
seller doesn’t offer (don’t ask for) more pics!
Tho I do love a ’69, especially an OHC6…
I had a 1969, with the 400 non vented hood with external Tac. Loved the car had the motor rebuilt twice. Because some one put sugar in my gas tank. Coolest car I ever owned. Sold to my sister for $1500. Back in 1984.
I’m very interested in it for 15,000
It’s not a Powerglide, it’s a Super Turbine 300, which is a Buick-Olds-Pontiac 2-speed automatic. It shared very little with Chevrolet’s Powerglide.
I thought the front end looked high. So high I wondered if this was a roller.
Maybe there are different springs for the I6 and any of the V8s?
My college roommate had one of these, with a very healthy and intact Sprint 6 backed by whatever auto didn’t act as an anchor. It was fun; he loved it.
Would also put the 4bbl & manifold on it first thing.
Not sure of the automatic but I used one for a year or so as a daily beater with the six with a 3 on the floor. The car drove great was adequate in the power area. Very economical. Northeast rust issues ended it and few to none were interested in it even for parts.
Had a 67 tempest with the overhead cam 6, 3 speed on the floor. I was very impressed how quick that car was.
We’re 4 speeds available with the six cylinder ?
Had 1 back in 1977. Had a 1970 Ram Air 455 with a Muncie 4 speed. Very fast, so fast I had a hard time getting a date. Of course I drove it like an idiot. Had to sell it. Michigan car, rear shock towers had the rot. Look it over and under. New York cars rust in weird places. Cousin bought an original 67 Imapala SS 427 4 speed. Didn’t see it was rusted behind the fire wall. Lesson learned!
4 speeds could be ordered with the Sprint option, which provided 230hp in 1969. I’m currently restoring a 69 Lemans Sprint with a factory 4 speed or I’d grab this one. I would leave this car as original as possible, there aren’t many left.