We all know the story of the COPO Camaros, but before Yenko and Baldwin were special ordering pony cars with performance big blocks, there were select car dealers that were ordering GTOs and Firebirds and then installing Pontiac 428s into them. While not as powerful or as valuable, these machines could be quite potent. The problem is that there is very little documentation about these machines, so you never know if a car equipped with one of these big blocks was a dealer special or someone’s backyard creation. This ’67 Firebird has a 428 Tri-Power, which is capable of well over 400 horsepower, but I’m not sure if it is a dealer job or an owner upgrade (I’m leaning towards owner installed). Without dealer paperwork, it will be difficult to prove it’s a dealer upgraded car, but either way this could be a hot ride. Find it here on craigslist in Owensboro, Kentucky for $7,500. Thanks to Robert R for this tip!
Mmm, yes, yet another case of “motor not stuck” but the owner can’t be bothered to get it running… (skeptical look)
I’d say if the back has been tubbed for those wide meats it’s a 98% certainty it’s been owner modified.
The Suburban in the back looks interesting. Yeah,I like those.
Ha,ha MarkE. the “motor not stuck” is becoming as ubiqutious as “a/c needs charge”
The last muscle car I owned was a 1968 Firebird Convertible. Originally a 350/Power glide car, mine had a 400/TH350. The motor was 0.060 over, cammed with a GM mid-rise mani and a reworked Q-jet. I had the same tire size set up on same Centerline wheels. The rears are 275 and the rear wheel offset allowed me to run those “meats” without having to tub the car. I did have to roll the wheel opening a bit to eliminate rubbing as I didn’t like to jack the rear end into the air. This car is most likely not tubbed but you may still need to give love to the inner wheel wells due to rust. These do have a high propensity to rust along the rockers and the 1/4 panels. Mine started to bubble even while garaged in a California climate.
I sold mine after owning for over 20 years. It went to an owner that was going to give it the love and attention it needed.
I always liked these over the Camaros because everyone did’t have one. Also my folks at the time were big Pontiac fans, they had a new 64 Tempest convertible and then in 67 bought a new 67 Lemans, both were nice cars and lasted through all 4 of us kids and the Lemans met it’s demise in a Demolition Derby with me behind the wheel. I like this Firebird and would be tempted to take on the project but I’m sorting out issues with our Mach1 at the time.
Wish I had the cash for this one.
Reminds me of the one my cousin had years ago. I would take on this in a heart beat. Had a 68 conv myself. Miss that car. Dont miss the ex that got it. Lol.
Personally I dont mind an engine added after sale as long as it was done right. Its a car.. not a Picasso. Vroom vroom….