1967 Pontiac Firebird

Pontiac jumped headlong into the burgeoning pony-car segment in 1967 with the Firebird and it was an instant hit, selling more than 82,500 in its inaugural year. Of them, 19,000 were convertibles, like this Regimental Red 1967 Pontiac Firebird. Purchased in 2004, it has served as a long-term project and is the recipient of a number of restoration and performance enhancements, including a 326 V-8 backed by a four-speed manual gearbox. It has also received a front disc-brake conversion. - the car has been driven less than 2,000 miles during his 17-year ownership period. Under the hood is a 326 V-8 that was rebuilt in 2006, with a new camshaft, roller rockers, Coyles roller timing set and lifters. Additional components, some of which were installed later, includes a Melling high-volume oil pump, Moroso oil pan, Pontiac cylinder heads, Pontiac intake manifold, and an Edelbrock four-barrel carburetor. There's also a new Powermaster mini-starter, 110-amp internally regulated alternator and a GM HEI distributor. A new fuel tank was also installed. The engine is said to start easily with the functional choke and does not smoke. - a fairly common heat soak issue when the engine is warm and could be alieved with a starter heat shield. Slight oil weeping is noted at the oil pan. Backing the 326 is a four-speed manual gearbox (the original transmission was a three-speed manual, which the seller will include with the sale, if requested), that is matched with a Centerforce dual-friction clutch and Hurst Competition Plus shifter. The transmission was reportedly rebuilt in 2016 and reportedly shifts well. - a slight weep at the differential. - this Firebird was original painted Tyrol Blue, but the color was changed to Regimental Red about 11 years ago. The finish is said to be in good condition. There is also a paint crack near the driver's door handle and mirror, as well as a small chip reported on the door edge. The floor and toe pans were replaced in 2014. - some minor paint bubbling at the bottom-front of the passenger door and a couple of small bubbles on the lip of the trunk lid. When the body work and paint were completed, the top three gills on each rear quarter panel were filled in for a smoother appearance. Additionally, the seller reports some chrome pitting in the header bow and the rear-passenger quarter window needs to be reset in its track. Also, the seller notes the convertible top is originally power-operated, but the power assist is non-functional. It can be raised and lowered manually. - Inside, the Firebird's black vinyl interior has been restored over time, including replacement seat covers and carpet. They are said to be in good shape, with minimal visible wear. The door panels and dash pad also appear in very good condition, while the steering wheel shows cracks. Most of the trim is in place, except for the rear ashtrays and the rearview mirror bracket that the visors snap into. The factory clock is missing from the center console, and the console itself has a small piece broken out of it, approximately where the driver's calf would rest. The heater with a new heater core and gauges are reportedly functional and aftermarket volts, temp and oil pressure gauges have also been added. There is an aftermarket stereo system, along with a new under-dash stereo speaker, for tunes on cruise night. - the chassis and suspension received their last major service in 2015, which included Moog upper and lower ball joints, KYB shocks, outer tie-rod ends, inner tie-rod sleeves, pitman arm, sway bar link kit, sway bar bushings, idler arm, Energy Suspension control arm bushings, leaf spring pads and new mono leaf springs. The original front drum brakes were also changed to discs, along with new brake lines. Steering, handling and braking performance is said to be good, with no reported needs or issues. The car rolls on Pontiac Rally II wheels wrapped in recently installed Guardsman radial tires that reportedly retain almost all of their tread. Additional paperwork for this 1967 Pontiac Firebird convertible includes receipts for much of the mechanical work performed on the car during the my ownership period. After 17 years of perpetual project status, that seller is ready to move this drop-top F-body to a new home. With much of the work completed, it offers the next owner a drivable project to complete or simply drive as-is, with the top down and rowing through the four-speed gearbox.