The first ever produced Pontiac Firebirds just sold for $285,000 on eBay.
The pair with VIN 001 and 002 came out of the Pontiac Lordstown, OH, assembly plant in early 1967. Pontiac toured with them for auto shows and marketing materials before eventually selling them away.
It’s amazing that the cars survived for so long. Even better, they still keep their matching numbers chassis, engine, transmission and rear end.
The Pontiac Firebird is a legend in American car history. Born in the ’60s when fuel was abundant and cheap, the Firebird was a true muscle car – a heavy, inefficient machine with a huge engine that’s got some torque.
At the time, the major three manufacturers were locked in a fierce battle to dominate the market. Ford invented the “pony car” term some 50 years ago with the Mustang – a sporty car that appealed to driving enthusiasts but stood a shot away from race cars and drag monsters.
GM’s answer was the release of two competitors in 1967 – Pontiac Firebird and Chevrolet Camaro, which shared the same platform and most major underbody components.
The two Firebirds were discovered in pretty bad condition in 2014 by Richard Rawlings and the Gas Monkey Garage. The team performed a top to bottom restoration, returning them to showroom condition.
Pontiac Firebird 001 is a two-door red convertible. It’s powered by Pontiac’s 326 cubic inch (5.3-liter) V8 engine with a two-barrel carburetor. The engine is rated for 250 hp. A 3-speed automatic transmission takes power to the rear axle.
Comfort features include power steering, power brakes, and cruise control. You wouldn’t think much of them now, but in 1967 those were pretty awesome stuff.
Firebird 002 is a silver coupe. It’s got the high output version of the V8 engine. With a four-barrel carburetor, higher compression and dual exhaust, it produces up to 285 hp.
It’s got a 4-speed manual gearbox – fitting for a performance version. Power brakes, and a tilt-steering column round up the package.
Anyone with some love for American muscle will recognize the historical importance of these two vehicles. Firebirds inspired generations of auto enthusiasts. We’re stoked to see them restored to their former glory and given the proper respect they deserve.
