You like the 1969 Chevrolet Camaro, all 243K of them but you feel that there are too many everywhere and you want something different? Try the similar, but different, Pontiac Firebird from that same year. Today’s find, a ’69 Firebird 350 looks pretty good on the surface but beauty may not run the full depth of character here. With that thought in mind, let’s examine this Camaro alternative and see if it measures up. Anoka, Minnesota is from where this ‘Bird hails and it’s available, here on eBay for a current bid of $10,100 with the reserve not yet met. There is a BIN price of $16,400 available too.
One of the reasons that ’69 Firebirds don’t turn up that often is because of the production volume, at 87K units, it’s just a bit more than a third of what the Camaro turned out so they get lost in the shuffle and just don’t have the following that the Camaro does – not that 87K is anything to sneeze at. Basically, they’re the same car in terms of platform, sub-frame, suspension, and some sheet metal such as the trunk lid, rear bumper, and maybe the doors (?). They were both assembled on the same assembly lines (Norwood, OH and Van Nuys, CA) but differences abound. Besides the obvious exterior items, what’s under the hood as well as the rear axle are completely different pieces. The transmissions are largely the same but the automatic unit’s bolt patterns are different.
This Firebird looks like a repaint and was probably originally finished in red. What’s covering the exterior looks, close up, to be gloppy and uneven. There is some poorly applied Bondo that’s evident too. The black vinyl top covering, however, has either held up well or has been professionally recovered. The wheels look more like Buick pieces with unnecessary spinners attached; they’re definitely not Pontiac Rally II items. Here’s a walkaround video for your review.
Being a Pontiac 350 means a 265 gross HP Pontiac, 350 CI V8 engine but this example is wearing a Qudrajet four-barrel carburetor under the aftermarket “bugeye” air cleaner. Perhaps this might be a Firebird H.O. but then again it may just be a standard Firebird 350 that has undergone a carburetor upgrade. The thing is, a two to four-barrel carburetor swap usually involves an Edelbrock or Holley unit and not a Q-Jet. Another head-scratcher is the automatic transmission, the interior shift indicator tells us that this Poncho is equipped with a Super Turbine 300, two-speed automatic but the underside image clearly reveals a Turbo-Hydramatic 400 three-speed automatic gearbox. The listing mentions that the gear selector has been moved to the floor so perhaps that was done to accommodate a swapped transmission. Whatever the case, the seller claims, “Runs very nice“.
The interior has some funky-looking homemade console alterations going on and while the work may be well executed, it’s tacky-looking. The gear selector is absolutely a Chevrolet piece owing more credence to a swapped transmission. From what can be viewed, the seating upholstery is fine but the dashpad is completely disintegrated. Getting one for a ’69 Camaro is no challenge and I would imagine that it’s the same case with a Firebird.
Verdict? This one’s a bit of a Frankenstein. It’s a twenty-footer and has some amount of weirdness going on. Nevertheless, if acquired for the right, reasonable (read that as “low”) price there is a lot here with which to work. Show of hands please, what’s your preference for ’69, a Camaro or a Firebird?
I don’t know. I have a roughy one and from the close ups this looks like mine if i gooed it up and hosed it. I guess the bin price is the world today but for a regular ole’ Bird iI would not.
Dont know about this bird looks to be butchered. I had a 69 and I dropped in a 67 GTO ram air lll motor that I added more ponies to it.It looked like my grandmas car . I made it a sleeper.im kicking myself today for selling it for dirt!!!
I’d take a Firebird any day of the week over a Camaro, which seem to be just about everywhere. Now, this one, it needs some love for sure. I’d prefer to start with a less “messed with” platform that is more original, but that’s just me. And yes, those are Buick rallye wheels.
I can only imagine the cancer that body filler is hiding.
Ick!
Shuttle guy says it best. YUK! This looks like something J. C. Whitney cobbled together out of their parts returned bin.
The a/ c unit has no business being there. Why didn’t they use the existing dash vents and Vintage Air?
Nope, can’t like anything about this one.
The wing on the back looks like a wind deflector from a 70’s GM wagon paint over unwanted Bondo wow I thought some of the stuff I made in my twenties was tacky but this makes my stuff look professional LOL
I definitely prefer birds over Camaro and this one at the right price could be saved I just don’t think 16k is the right price but hopefully someone does and helps it find its way to something better than what it currently is
Is that Druk or “DRUNK” Auto Sales??? That is a scary Bird.
Poor FB. So mistreated. Compare this presentation to the ’67 Camaro posted earlier. And I always prefer the Pontiac.
It is Druk Auto Sales. This is a Florida car that the last owner must have lost interest and hired someone who knew nothing about bodywork and paint to finish it up. Just a driver. Drives and isn’t a “rust bucket”.
To me, this car defines the word “Beater”.
If you are going to paint a car always have runs like candle wax!
It’s a bit too mysterious for us to consider. Apart from the shortcomings you can see, who knows what lies beneath??
FYI the rear bumper is unique to the Firebird for ’69… Camaro had a straight bumper.
The old saying, putty and paint make em what they ain’t.
Nostalgia is what I see. I owned a 69 Firebird 400 way back when they were new cars. Mine was what G.M. called “Golden Rod Yellow” it was a bit darker shade than this and (IMO) looked much better. To me that center console destroys the entire look of the inside. This car does have potential but it would take a very creative and talented person to pull it off. Shopping about would more than likely produce a better product to start with for the same money. May we all have a very good 2024.
God Bless America
The deck lid, rear valance, rear bumper, gas filler door, rallys, front fenders, hood, kick down cable, radiator, and even the ultra rare AM/FM radio were all different from a 69 camaro. This is just a short list, there are dozens of others! I owned a 100% # match 69 RS/SS for 27 yrs. And just finished a 69 bird that is also 100% #’s match.
We acquired this from a man in Florida. It is actually not bad. If you were going to paint a car anyways, this car’s finish means nothing. If you are buying a Firebird V/8 Project this is a good running car. We have over a hundred pictures and videos on our website drukautosales.com. We accept offers. We hide nothing and have the best prices on good collectible cars. Believe me, this is not a horrible car. It can be driven as is and it appears to have it’s original motor. Check it out and make a reasonable offer, if you like it.
Run Forrest 🏃♂️
An aside, I saw the white ’69 Electra you had at the all GM show last June at the fairgrounds. Still had those dual stripe tires. See it sold sometime back.
I live in the south suburban St. Paul and peruse your lot on-line.
The 69 Bird I had was made at Lordstown Ohio not at the Camaro plant.
Hey, y’all
Grandma bought me a brand new ‘69 Firebird 350 for HS graduation and I sure had fun with it in college! Off the factory floor, it had an upgraded cam of some sort and a Hurst shifter and linkage with whatever tranny (I’m no gearhead). Had a 4 barrel carb and whatnot. The factory reported 343 horses with the 350, so it had some factory modifications. I loved that car and never gave any thought to not getting a Camaro, instead. Ran like a bat outa hell. But I felt no nostalgia while reading about this piece o’. It was a shame somebody dishonored the badge in this way when a lot of good Pontiac equipment was replaced for, probably, no reason. Don’t buy it when there are other good survivors out there. The bondo and runny glop for paint adds unnecessary weight to the ride.
LOOKS LIKE A HOT MESS! DON’T KNOW IF YOU WOULD WNAT TO TAKE ON THIS PROJECT UNLESS YOU HAVE ALOT OF $$$$. LOOKS GOOD FAR AWAY THOUGH. i HAD THIS SAME COLOR AND YEAR BACK IN 1976.
This car has a Firebird 400 hood with the hood scoops and hood mounted tach. I have never seen a factory car with this hood. I am happy to say my ’68 400 Verdoro Green H.O. has a very nice home with a rebuild from ground up and the current owner keeps in touch with me.
Makes my old heart happy to see.
Hi, I saw the video too. it’s been there for a while..to long for under 20K. that clip didn’t show the wax effect! had a 58′ Roadmaster 4dr…stolen ME, RAY’s trucks Sabattis,Me. anyhow, like the 58′ limited 4 dr not much different from roadmaster 75! in late 70’s-80’s. I’m stuck W/364 pro build $$$! just internals. you should see the rochester 4brl!…not Q- jet! wish I would’ve put that on my 400 68′ bird! that carb is awesome!…miss my V8’s
An aside, I saw the white ’69 Electra you had at the all GM show last June at the fairgrounds. Still had those dual stripe tires. See it sold sometime back.
I live in the south suburban St. Paul and peruse your lot on-line.
Oops. Already posted. Sometimes it looks like it posted but it’s still in the “box” to post. 🙄😡
Bad paint job and body work! dash cut to fit a aftermarket radio and a silly way to put in a aftermarket a/c unit.
I have to say that I agree you have hidden nothing! You showed everything that is wrong, and this car has a ton wrong. It may run well, but it is a mess. To me, it’s just a step above a parts car. I do have to commend you guys though for showing this car as it really is.
Agree with 19sixty5 ad shows all flaws and not trying to hide the warts so hand it to you there and there is a butt for Every seat so probably you may get the price
The crummy paint doesn’t scare me. No worse than “patina” (i.e. crummy paint mixed with surface rust). The bondo worries me though – buyer better look this over closely for rust and/or wreckage. Most of the other silliness like the console can be replaced but should ding the price. I like these cars. Had a ‘67 before with sprint 6 and absolutely loved it.