Original cost: $3,538.56
On loan from: Steve Rothenberger, Kearney, Nebraska
Number made: 16,960 convertibles; 90,152 – 2 door hardtop coupes
Engine, etc.: V-8; 350 cu. in. 2 barrel; 265 hp; automatic; 3460 lbs.; 108.10” wheelbase. This engine was designed to run on regular fuel; the 4 barrel version, which made 320 hp, called for premium fuel.
Options: Automatic transmission ($194.84); push button radio ($61.09); deluxe wheel discs ($21.06); deluxe steering wheel ($14.74); console ($50.55); soft ray tinted windshield ($21.06); trim package – brake pedal ($5.27); F70X14 white sidewall nylon tires ($31.60).
This car came from the factory in a color called Mayfair Maize with a black convertible top.
The Firebird was first introduced on February 23, 1967, as a pony car to compete with the Ford Mustang and Mercury Cougar.
The first generation Firebird had characteristic Coke bottle styling shared with its cousin, the Chevrolet Camaro. Announcing a Pontiac styling trend, the Firebird’s bumpers were integrated into the design of the front end, giving it a more streamlined look than the Camaro. The Firebird’s rear “slit” taillights were inspired by the 1966–1967 Pontiac GTO. Both a two-door hardtop and a
convertible were offered through the 1969 model year. Originally, the car was a “consolation prize” for Pontiac, which had desired to produce a two-seat sports car based on its original Banshee concept car. However, GM feared this would cut into Chevrolet Corvette sales, and gave Pontiac a piece of the pony car market through sharing the F-body platform with Chevrolet.
In March 1969, a $1,083 optional handling package called the “Trans Am performance and appearance package”, UPC “WS4”, named after the Trans Am Series, was introduced. A total of 689 hardtops and eight convertibles were made.
2001 was the 75th anniversary of Pontiac. An available 75th Anniversary Package incorporated a power and performance package that included power door locks including retained accessory power, power windows including express down drivers side, dual power sport mirrors, power antenna. Radio, ETR AM/FM stereo with CD player and 7-band graphic equalizer including a clock, seek up/down, remote CD pre-wiring Monsoon 500 watt peak power with 10-speaker premium sound system and steering wheel leather-wrapped w/driver touch radio controls. 4-speed automatic transmission, power drivers 6-way seat, security package (includes theft-deterrent system and remote key-less entry), 3800 performance package, 4 wheel disc brakes, dual mufflers, and an LS1 steering rack= 14.4:1, 235/55/16 tires, hatch roof, removable, 16-inch chromed aluminum wheels, 50-state low emission vehicle.
The 2002 Collector’s Edition Trans Am For the Firebird’s final year, a collector’s edition Trans Am was released as either a yellow WS6 convertible or WS6 t-top coupe, with twin black stripes from hood to tail, black-painted five-spoke 17-inch alloy wheels, and further black-trimmed body details.
Amid late 2000s financial problems and restructuring efforts, GM announced in 2008 it would follow the same path with Pontiac as it had with Oldsmobile in 2004 and discontinued manufacturing and marketing vehicles under that brand by the end of 2010. The last Pontiac-badged cars were built in December 2009, with one final vehicle in January 2010. Franchise agreements for Pontiac dealers expired on October 31, 2010, leaving GM to focus on its four remaining North American brands: Chevrolet, Buick, Cadillac, GMC.