Motor Trend – March 1967 – Page 34

Speaking of tires, the Firebird comes with a collapsible spare, made by B. F. Goodrich, that’s sure to furnish Firebird owners with a conversation piece for some time. The object of this tire is to save space in the minuscule trunk that is part and parcel of the Firebird and every other car in its class. The space saving is more real in coupes because the spare is located deeper in the trunk in space occupied by the top stowage box on convertibles.

Like everyone else seeing this spare for the first time, we were curious and perhaps a bit skeptical about how this little band of rubber could grow up to be a tire. So…using the canister of gas fitted with a short hose that comes with the tire, we removed the spare and proceeded to inflate it. It started to assume a contorted dish shape, and just as we were ready to exclaim “Aha!,” it suddenly popped into the form

of a very ordinary looking tire. No less spectacular was the way it went through the exact reverse of this ritual and reverted to its original compact state when we deflated it.

We were so carried away with the Firebird that we almost failed to notice the sharp edges on the spokes of the optional custom wheel fitted to the Sprint 6; round off is needed.

The Firebird seemingly has all the ingredients necessary for success in today’s marked: a wide variety of engines, transmission, and power options; just about any comfort and convenience option available on any car; and – most important – an enthusiastic and knowledgeable organization behind it. Opinions differ as to whether the Ram-Aired Firebird or the 396 Camaro will ultimately get the upper had at the drag strip. But as Mark Twain once observed, “It is difference of opinion that makes horseraces.