Slipping a larger, more powerful engine under a classic’s hood won’t generate many news headlines. The practice dates back decades and is the approach one of this 1967 Pontiac Firebird Sprint’s previous owners took. Interestingly, they didn’t select a different motor from the Firebird range, bolting something from a different badge within the marque’s model range beneath the hood. It is a solid vehicle that could be a blank canvas for its new owner. The seller listed the Firebird here on eBay in Bloomingdale, New Jersey, and the solitary bid of $8,500 is below the reserve.
The pony car market segment sprang to life in 1967 as Chevrolet and Pontiac released their Camaro and Firebird cousins. The Plymouth Barracuda provided some resistance to the Mustang steamroller, but the GM pair achieved first-year sales that would have furrowed a few brows at Ford World headquarters. This 1967 Firebird started life as the Sprint variant, but underwent many mechanical changes before a previous owner placed it in storage around 1977. Its panels currently wear Black primer, and I can’t determine the car’s original paint shade. There are traces of Purple in some spots, but they don’t match anything on that year’s Color Charts. That said, the buyer can change it again to personalize this classic, if they feel motivated. The panels have a few bumps and bruises, and it looks like both lower front fenders may have minor rust. However, the seller says the floors and other crucial areas are rock-solid, reducing the cutting and welding required. The Black vinyl top is in good condition, and the Firebird rolls on a set of Oldsmobile wheels.
Since this Firebird started life as the Sprint variant, its engine bay once housed the 230hp OHC six. It was a pretty respectable motor, delivering 215hp and 240 ft/lbs of torque. However, much has changed since 1967, and the six is now a distant memory. Occupying its rightful place is a 389ci V8 from a 1966 GTO. It was rebuilt, including a 0.060″ overbore, an upgraded camshaft, and a Brawler 650cfm carburetor. The seller isn’t sure what power it makes, but I am sure it will give this Firebird genuine muscle. A Turbo 400 transmission handles the shifting, and the car also has power steering and recently upgraded power front disc brakes. The seller commenced the car’s revival after decades in storage, and the listing suggests it is almost roadworthy. They replaced the rear brakes to match the front upgrade, and also fitted new ball joints, KYB adjustable shocks, an aluminum radiator, an HEI distributor, and a starter. They say that the tires are old, and since the motor is strong, it appears that new tires might be all that stands between this classic and the open road.
Trimmed in Parchment vinyl and featuring bucket seats and a console, this Firebird’s interior is surprisingly tidy. The seats and carpet are very presentable, as is the console. The door trims and dashpad are cracked, and the headliner is past its use-by date. I don’t think it needs a complete retrim, but it’s worth exploring options. A complete trim kit may cost only slightly more than the listed parts if purchased separately. If so, a complete refresh to achieve a high-end result might be a no-brainer.
I typically prefer my classics unmolested, but I acknowledge that the V8 powering this 1967 Firebird should deliver an entertaining driving experience when the buyer slips behind the wheel. The listing suggests it won’t need much work to achieve that goal, and its lack of significant rust would let the buyer have fun while deciding how to address its cosmetic needs. A color change would be fairly easy in its current state, offering limitless opportunities for personalization. What would you do if you won the auction?
Shoulda kept that six, great engines when you get to know them(which most didn’t, including the two mechanic that worked for my parants dealership back in the day).
The engine swap was likely performed long ago.
The rust is probably worse than suggested, how bad it is is anyone guess.
It will be interesting to see where the bidding ends.
Steve R
Again they’re trying. 8600.00
Nice.
I love the grill and front profile of these cars, suggests a bird of prey on the hunt.
Blasphemy. That OHC 6 was a wonderful motor with a lot more power than other sixes, and made for a very rare Firebird. Ugh.
Seller doesn’t state when the motor was swapped out. I am assuming like Steve R said it “Was likely performed long ago”. In hindsight, most all of us would have kept our classic cars original and held onto them forever. In my circle of friends back in the day as soon as we could afford to we would change wheels and tires, add headers, modify exhaust, add 8 track tape players, and make whatever changes we could to add MORE POWER!
I still love these modified cars (Not to be confused in any way with the Resto Mod) and consider them as drivers and highly collectable.
In October of 73 my 16th birthday I bought an original 67 SS 350 4 speed Marina Blue Camaro with chrome reverse wheels. when I rolled it a little less than a year later I had Added a Holly carburetor, headers, traction bars, Thrush shorties, 70’s/ 50’s MT’s, Cragars, Hurst shifter, FM 8 track, and a factory 68 Camaro rear spoiler. My next car was a 70 SS BB Chevelle that was already modified in about the same way.
Point is I prefer these driver type cars over the show car originals that never leave the garage and this 67 Firebird could be one of those drivers.
Drooling…my first car was a 68 Firebird, and I’d give my left…well, arm to have one like this. Alas, if only…I’m sure this one will be snapped up by somebody with deeper pockets than me. I’d put a Camaro spoiler on it, shiny black paint, a 4-speed…oh, never mind. Too far away and I’m sure it’ll go higher than I’d wanna pay .
It probably will stay below the reserve – taking out the OHC 6 (I have only learned to appreciate them in the last 10 years) dropped the value, bored out 389 or not. It’s not painted and has a few rough spots. Being a first-year Firebird may have some allure (the vent windows were a one-and-done deal) but I feel that they may be reaching. Trying to convert it back (good luck finding an OHC 6!) would probably be more trouble than it’s worth, and won’t bring up the value much but would be a cool deal. John DeLorean put those motors in them for a reason, and 215 HP from a six back in the day was a good deal, also lightening up the car.
One of my regular customers had a Tempest with an OHC six that he purchased new from an out-of-town dealer back in the day. Someone else had ordered the car and backed out at the last moment: so the customer got a bit of a deal on it. It was kept spotless from the day that he braught it home and he did little if anything in the way of mods or ‘improvements’ over the years, just straight maintanance and care over the long years and it’s in beautiful condition as I write this. The thing that always amazed me was the gas milage the thing was capable of out on the highway, that and the way that the six would pull when you dropped a gear for passing. And that freon based AC meant that the car got cold even in the muggy Interlake area here(which could give Florida a run for its money in that department).
Interesting car. 389 bored .060 is just over 400 cubes. I dislike that flat black color. I would paint it 69 Firebird Goldenrod yellow. Dump the Olds wheels for some old school American Racing Torque Thrusts. Don’t know what the exhaust system is but for me dual 2 1/2” with flow masters would be under that beast.The thm400 is a good transmission, but I would source parts to install a 5 or 6 speed tremec just for fun. Add A/C for comfort then cruise about town in slow motion.
God Bless America
How sad that this rare Firebird Sprint got bastardized. I still wish that I had the 1966 Tempest Sprint 2-dr HT, 4-speed that I had during my UT college days (1966-1968).
the olds wheels need to go. they must have a high reserve on it. considering the condition that high bid is the more than i would pay.
If this is a TRUE Sprint with PHS then someone really jacked up a nice Firebird. Sad.
As a firebird owner of a few variants during this life , a drop top sprint is one that i have never owned , this modified one looks decent but it would have gotten more of my attention with the 6 !
Nevertheless, a nice example to tinker with