|
After GM forced Pontiac to drop DeLorean's Banshee project, Pontiac introduced the Firebird February 23, 1967, to compete with the Chevrolet Camaro (introduced September 29, 1966) and the Ford Mustang (introduced April 1964).
The Firebird was designed from the Camaro's F-Body design and the GTO's A-Body drivetrain with a different rear end, sub-frame, split-grill front end, six vertical louvers on the front of the rear quarter panels, and louver style tail lamps. Improvements were also made in the engine placement, front suspension, and reinforced rear springs.
The 1967 Firebird was offered in a convertible and a hardtop coupe with five magnificent versions:
- Firebird OHC:
- 230 cubic inch six-cylinder one-barrel overhead-cam with 165 horsepower. Prices started at $2,666 for a coupe to $2,903 for a convertible "economical fun car." The OHC's use of a toothed, fiberglass-reinforced, rubber belt instead of the usual noisy chain to drive both the cam and engine accessories was a world first.
- Firebird Sprint:
- 230 cubic inch six-cylinder four-barrel Quadrajet carburetor overhead-cam with 215 horsepower and 10.5:1 compression, heavy-duty clutch, floor-mounted three-speed, larger valves, and low restriction intake and exhaust system. This upgrade was available for an additional $105.60.
- Firebird 326:
- V-8 326 cubic inch two-barrel with 250 horsepower. This was available for an additional $95.04.
- Firebird H.O.:
- V-8 326 H.O. (High Output) four-barrel with 285 horsepower, premium fuel, stiffer suspensions, dual exhausts, and side stripes with "H.O." lettering. This was available for an additional $169.70.
- Firebird 400:
- High performance V-8 400 four-barrel Quadrajet with 325 horsepower at 4800 rpm, heavy duty floor shift three-speed, twin (non-functional) scoops, heavy duty springs, wide-oval red-line tires, chrome air cleaners, dual exhaust, declutching engine fan, heavy duty battery, heavy duty starter motor, heavy duty radiator, and chrome rocker covers and oil filler cap. This was added for $358.09. On top of this, an extra-cost four-speed or Turbo Hydramatic was available for an additional $273.83.
- The "Ram Air" option which included a larger-overlap, longer-duration cam, a beefed-up valvetrain for 6000 rpm operation, and the Pontiac 428 V-8's huge, low-restriction cast iron exhaust manifolds, reached 5200 rpm. The Quadrajet carburetor was recalibrated to increase fuel flow, and twin hood scoops were made functional and ducted air directly into the air cleaner. This was added for another $263. Final base cost, $3,287.09 for a coupe or $3,524.09 for a convertible.
According to a note by engineer Ben Harrison, by the end of March over 33,000 Firebirds were sold, 77.8 percent had V-8 engines, 70.4 percent automatic transmissions, 29.1 percent dual exhausts, 16.7 percent air conditioning, 15.3 percent four-speed manual transmissions, 13.8 percent limited-slip differential, 7.4 percent equipped with front disc brakes, 4.2 percent with front bench seat, 3.8 percent with adjustable steering column, 2.5 percent with power windows, and 0.5 percent with cruise control. The production year ended in September '67.
|
