Motor News -May 1967

Pontiac’s new sports car series, the Firebird, comes in hardtop coupe (above) and convertible.

(Editor’s note: This new feature will attempt each month to describe objectively a different car, in the language of the average motorist, who knows little about cars except that he likes to drive.)

The personal sports car field, first "bonanzaed" by the Mustang, has a new entry by Pontiac called the Firebird. It arrived in late February.

"Firebird was named after a legendary Indian symbol which promised action, power, beauty and youth," a press release says. Quoting maybe Chief Pontiac.

But this does sum up the Firebird, featuring a long hood, and short deck, a test showed this writer. It rates curious stares at stoplights, so one knows it has a different, new look. And with its sleek, long, low lines, it made this cautious, no-longer-youthful driver feel like a young motorist again.

This may not be a safety feature,

for the 400-cubic-inch, V-8 325-hp engine in this light car doesn’t make for transportation as much as it does flying. So we tried one of 4 other engine choices, the standard 165-hp six-cylinder. It uses regular gas, but has quick takeoff.

Firebird’s heavy duty suspension holds the car to the road, makes one feel the bumps, which sports tells us is essential. It is extremely maneuverable, easy to park or turn around, holds the road well. There are two models-hardtop coupe and convertible.

Firebird is essentially a two-person car, for the back seat proved crowded for 12- and 10-year-old daughters with its 108-inch wheelbase. For families it makes a fine second car and for anyone without children a good first with the price ranging from $2666 to $3500 depending on accessories.

Bucket front seats of black vinyl are comfortable and handsome. One feels he’s only a foot above the road in them, if you like that feeling. And many do.

A sports-styled black padded instrument panel completely recesses all instruments in two clusters. Several manual and automatic transmissions are available. Those who want to feel young but drive modern take the automatic: those who want to feel the car respond take the manual.

We’re told Firebird’s front end is the shape of things to come. An oval snout framing two deep grille openings sticks out six inches in middle front where the radiator used to be, protected by a bumper. The snout is now the point to contact, with no bumper. It’s said to have energy-absorbing characteristics.

It adds to styling, sporty look of the vehicle. But Auto Club’s rad service manager Robert Smith said after an examination that it would be extremely difficult to tow without damaging the car. Providing one needs a tow, and it’s an unromantic thought in the sporty vehicle. – LRB