Collecting Model Cars

The Pontiac Firebird

We have four generations of the Pontiac Firebird built by the Pontiac division of General Motors between 1967 and 2002. The Firebird was introduced the same year as its cousin, the Chevrolet Camaro. This happened to provide good competition with the release of the 1967 Mercury Cougar, a cousin with another pony car, the Ford Mustang.

The Pontiac Firebirds were, for the most part, powered by various V8 engines of different GM divisions. They were mostly Pontiac-powered until 1977. Pontiac Firebirds were powered with several different engines from most all of the GM division until 1982 when all Pontiac engines were dropped in favor of corporate units.
First Generation Pontiac Firebirds (1967–1969)

In the first generation of the Pontiac Firebirds they had what was referred to “coke bottle” styling. The bumpers were integrated into the design of both front and rear. The “slit” tail lights inspired by the Pontiac GTO all served to make is different than its cousin the Chevrolet Camaro. The Firebirds were produced in a convertible and the hardtop coupe. Pontiac wanted the Firebird to be a two-seat sports car based on their concept car the Banshee. GM shot this idea down not wanting any competition for the Corvette.

With some disappointment at management's decision, Pontiac went about re-making the F-body in their image with both styling and engineering changes.

The Firebirds styling difference from the 1967 to the 1968 model was adding the Federally-mandated side marker lights. The front of the car and the blinkers were made larger and extended to wrap around the front, and on the rear, the Pontiac (V-shaped) Arrowhead logo was added to each side.

Pontiac stopped using wing vent windows and started using single panes on the doors. The 1969 model with a major facelift came with a new front end design made of an Endura bumper housing the headlights and grilles. In the cabin there was a revised instrument panel and steering wheel. The ignition switch was moved from the dashboard to the steering column with the introduction of GM's new locking ignition switch/steering wheel.

To date the Pontiac Firebird power options have been interesting. From the first inline 6 cylinder all the way to the famous 400 CID (6.6 L) V8 the power options provided some rubber burning excitement over the years.

Model manufactures over the years have produced many different Firebirds to add to your collections. Indy pace cars to the famous Smokey and Bandit Firebird Tran-Am will make nice additions to any collection.

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