69′ Firebird takes flight

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 19/08/2005 (7386 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

RELEASED in 1967 along with the Chevrolet Camaro, the new Firebird was General Motors Pontiac Division’s entry into the much sought after pony car market.

Promoted as more a sports/personal car it was aimed at bringing in buyers from the 25 to 35-year old demographic and offered in a coupe or convertible model.

Like the Camaro, it could be ordered with a multitude of optional equipment and performance enhancing packages to truly tailor the car to the buyer. For 1969 the Firebird saw it’s first restyle, incorporating revisions similar to those planned for the Camaro. Design changes included flatter wheel openings, front fender wind splints, a new roofline and a creased lower beltline. It would also introduce a new split grill, flanked by body-coloured Endura bezels surrounding the headlamps.

Firebird RPO, (regular production option), packages included the overhead-cam six-cylinder “Sprint” model, the “Firebird 350”, “Firebird 350 HO”, “Firebird 400”, “Firebird 400 HO”, “Firebird Ram Air 400”, “Firebird Ram Air IV” and new for ’69 the “Trans Am.”

When it came to horsepower, whether you were a frugal Walter Mitty type, a Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde hybrid or mean old Attila the Hun, Pontiac had you covered. Today the first generation Firebird is a blue chip investment as a collectible vehicle and a prize possession for all who own one.

Produced in far fewer numbers than the Camaro it’s a bit more exclusive and with the power and handling to match you’ll understand why Pontiac’s advertising slogan was “We are driven!”

For Derek Wilson of Winnipeg, the days of the 1960s and 1970s used muscle car were ones he’d long remember. Having owned a Challenger and a GTO in the early ’80s, he knew he’d find something he could restore when the time and situation allowed.

Twenty years later with a young family and a career solidly in place, he began to look for a project car. In 2001, he spotted a restorable 1969 Firebird coupe parked in a field about an hour north of Portage la Prairie. Wilson had stopped by several times over a six-month period and was unsuccessful in trying to negotiate a deal with the owner, until one day his persistence paid off.

“He wanted more for the car than it was worth and certainly more than I wanted to give him for it, but we eventually agreed on a price,” says Wilson.

The car was complete and the body restorable, but sadly there were four broken connecting rods poking out from the engine’s oil pan and the interior looked thrashed. After having it hauled to Wilson’s home, the tow truck driver asked, “Are you sure you really want this?”

After Wilson assured the driver that he could see the potential in the Firebird, he dove into a full restoration. Working with Kyle Armstrong from Langruth, MB they stripped the car and began the bodywork.

“While a competent and patient bodyman could have repaired the rear quarter panels, we felt it was easier to buy and install new sheetmetal,” says Wilson.

After installing new floor pans, bottom door skins, front fenders and rear quarter panels it was ready for primer. While sharp eyes will notice the three stylized louvers in front of the rear tire identify these as Camaro quarter panels, their use is intentional.

‘THEY’RE less than half the price of the Firebird panels and I like the look,” says Wilson. With the bodywork complete it was off to Penner Auto Body for final prep and application of the Indigo Blue metallic paint.

Back from the bodyshop Wilson rebuilt the car’s braking system and front steering components, then installed a set of Centerline aluminum wheels with new B.F. Goodrich T/A radial tires.

The original Pontiac 350 V8 shortblock was a lost cause, so Wilson replaced it with a rebuilt shortblock from a 73 GTO. The original cylinder heads were rebuilt and then mated to the new block along with a mild performance camshaft, Edelbrock Performer aluminum intake manifold and Edelbrock 600 c.f.m. carburetor.

A GM H.E.I. electronic ignition with Accel Super Coil would take care of the ignition duties, while a set of headers lead the spent gases to a 2.5-inch diameter custom dual exhaust system with balance tube, V-Force mufflers and chrome extensions from Minute Muffler.

On the body of the car, Wilson replaced all of the door, trunk and window seals along with a new carpet, headliner and black Morrokide vinyl seat upholstery. Reg Walker at Walker Auto Parts supplied the new and reproduction parts used in the restoration, including the body sheetmetal and new bumpers. “The parts are readily available, I didn’t have trouble finding anything,” says Wilson.

The Firebird 350 comes with a good selection of optional equipment including power steering, power brakes, Turbo 350 automatic transmission, power windows, tinted glass, AM radio, center console with floor shift, black vinyl roof, side-view mirrors and Safe-T-Track rear axle.

Finishing the restoration in a short six months required every spare minute of Wilson’s time. “My wife Carole is very supportive even though she did talk more to my feet sticking out from under the car than she did to my face that winter,” says Wilson.

Now out winning trophies at the local shows and enjoying driving the car, Wilson’s Firebird can be seen regularly at the Sunday Night Cruise Night at the Pony Corral restaurant.

Members of the Manitoba Pontiac Association Incorporating Buick and Oldsmobile, the Wilson’s would like to invite you to the return of the Pontiac Parking Lot Party this Sunday at Thunder Rapids Amusement Park located at 5058 Portage Avenue. Registration is open at 9:00 A.M. and is $10.00 per vehicle with the show running from 11:00 A.M. to 4:00 P.M. Open to all participants and spectators alike it promises to be fun for the whole family, with proceeds from the event going to the Variety Club of MB.