1969 Pontiac Firebird

Description

Like its corporate cousin the Camaro, the first-generation Firebird hit a high note in 1969, where an ideal blend of styling, power, and comfort created one of the best muscle cars of all time. This slick Carousel Red hardtop offers a very aggressive look, a sweet-running 400 cubic inch V8, and no excuses on the street.

The tidy proportions of the early F-bodies are why they were so successful, but it's the detailing that gives them their street cred. The Firebird offers Pontiac's twin-nostril front end, ringed in chrome on this model, and sharp fender creases that make the car look fast just sitting still. The bright red paint isn't this car's original color (that would be code 59 Limelight green), but it is the perfect muscle car hue, especially when rendered in modern two-stage urethane. Even though it's not a trailer queen, this one looks fantastic sitting still, or hammering down the road. Gaps are decent, all the panels line up well, and it's the kind of car that people look at with a wary eye on the street because there's no telling what kind of firepower lives underneath. No extraneous add-ons were necessary, which means no rear wing, no wild graphics, and only a factory ram air hood to advertise its performance potential. No, it's not subtle, but they didn't really go out of their way to advertise big horsepower, either, which is very cool.

Black is the right choice with the brightly colored bodywork, and it appears that while the guts of this Firebird were replaced a few years ago, it's still in great condition. Bucket seats flank an optional center console, and the patterns are correct for '69, complete with the headrests, which were federally mandated that year. The door panels are quite possibly original, but the black carpets are just too nice to be 43 years old, but they do look appropriate. Pontiac tried to position the Firebird as an upscale alternative to the Camaro, so, burled walnut appliques were used on the dash and console, and the gauges are simple and easy to read, including the aftermarket dials just above the console. The original AM radio lives in the dash, but it isn't working so the car is ripe for a stereo system upgrade which would make it an ideal cruiser. The custom shifter is nicely installed, and didn't involve hacking up the original console, and certainly adds a high-performance look.

A 400 cubic inch V8 was top-of-the-line in 1969 for the Firebird, bumping up against GM's self-imposed size limits. This one has been dressed in proper Pontiac Turquoise paint with chrome valve covers and an open-element air cleaner, all of which suggest there's some serious blasting powder within. Sure, there are a few upgrades like the MSD ignition and long-tube headers, but most folks won't mind and they don't change the 'Bird's personality one bit. Power steering and brakes are on the menu, as is a relatively recent dual exhaust system that barks out a big block sound you'll never grow tired of. A TH350 3-speed automatic is a durable companion, and it rolls on polished 17-inch Torque Thrust wheels with 235/55/17 Pirelli radials that have enough sidewall to really fill the fenders properly.

This Firebird hardtop offers an awful lot of car for the money, and it's ready to enjoy. Call today!