After what is usually a long, drawn-out winter season here in Chicago (though not this year), the first several, consecutive days of nice weather seem to bring a sense of euphoria across the entire city. Chicagoans are notorious for wearing shorts and mere sweatshirts outdoors when the forecast high temperature for the day is maybe fifty degrees Fahrenheit. All the same, there’s something to be said for spring and the promise of all the summer fun that’s coming before too long.
I’m learning not to view spring as merely a steppingstone between winter and summer. In many ways, I almost prefer spring to summer in that once Memorial Day weekend arrives here in the Windy City (which is not even technically part of summer, but when ours unofficially starts), the non-stop quest for enjoying outdoor activities, street festivals, beach time, barbecues and concerts can make the warmest season pass with what can feel like neck-snapping speed.
Our featured Firebird 400 convertible, finished in what appears to be factory Mariner Turquoise Metallic, could be said to be from the “springtime” of this model’s lifespan, being a first-year example. Despite its architecture and basic styling being shared, almost wholesale, with the Chevrolet Camaro, it must have been an exciting time for fans of both Pontiacs and sporty “pony” cars. Imagine seeing one of these in the metal for the first time and thinking it was a mildly customized, new Camaro.
This beauty, if not a tribute, is one of just under 3,700 Firebird 400 convertibles produced out of 15,500 total drop-tops that year, with another 67,000 hardtops finding buyers. Pricing for the base Firebird convertible started at a premium of roughly 7.3% over a Camaro or Mustang, while the soft-top Plymouth Barracuda was priced just above the Chevy and Ford. Elsewhere among the competition, the convertible version of the slightly upscale Mercury Cougar wouldn’t be introduced until ’69, and the new-for-’68 AMC Javelin would be offered only as a hardtop fastback.
With the Firebird 400 convertible tipping the scales at around 3,400 pounds, its 325-hp V8 would have provided formidable straight-line performance (0-60 in the low-/mid-six second range). Handling was beefed up on the 400 with a standard ride and handling package (optional on lesser cars) that included stiffer springs and an anti-roll bar. The 215-horse, 230-cube Sprint Six (stroked to 250 cubic inches for ’68) would probably have been my choice under the hood, as it provided a good balance of sprightly performance and reasonable fuel economy, not to mention better weight distribution.
I’d say the Firebird’s “summertime” was its late-70s’ heyday, with its popularity bolstered by its appearances in such high-profile popular culture phenomenons as “Smokey & The Bandit” on the big screen, and on “The Rockford Files” on TVs in living rooms across America. Firebird sales peaked in 1979, with over 211,000 units sold concurrent with that year’s restyle (which, apparently contrary to the opinions of many, I find quite attractive).
The introduction of the beautiful but poorly assembled third-generation models for ’82 was like autumn, with that season’s dazzling colors signaling the beginning of the end of continuous outdoor fun for the year. Of course, there were spikes in temperature during this season of the third-generation’s run through ’92 (the introduction of the GTA for ’87; the Buick turbo V6-powered, 20th Anniversary model for ’89; the return of the convertible for ’91), but the general trend for falling sales after ’86 mostly signified much colder temperatures that would ultimately lie ahead.
The introduction of the equally stunning fourth-generation models for ’93 heralded the onset of winter. Sales basically held pat near the beginning with about 51,500 sold in ’94, after a blip of only 14,500 sold in ’93 (52,000 had been sold for ’92). The final tally of about 30,700 for last-year 2002 (up from less than 21,500 from the year before) was as frigid as late-December winds blowing inland over Lake Michigan, and we all know how the Pontiac story ended.
For now, though, let’s seize the day as the guys in this car seemed to be doing. Why wish your life away by pining for summer already? For those of us in the northern hemisphere, summer will be here before we all know it. After all, the snow has finally melted, and many of us are now, again, free to play outside. That should be enough.
Lakeview, Chicago, Illinois.
Sunday, April 9, 2017,
Related reading:
- From Paul Niedermeyer: Classic Curbside Classic: 1968 Firebird 400 – Reliving Childhood Memories, Twice Daily;
- From Tom Klockau: Curbside Classic: 1967 Pontiac Firebird Convertible – Dig That Aqua Paint!; and
- From me: In Motion Classic: 1968 Pontiac Firebird Convertible – The Cool Kid.
LOVE the car, HATE that spoiler. The first generation Firebird is the only pony car with a spot reserved for it in my dream garage. I’d prefer a smooth-topped Sprint coupe (probably a true unicorn today), but the allure of a droptop is indisputable. This was Pontiac styling at its best, IMO, even if it was just a Camaro with a beak. Such a pretty car.
+1
I really have to wonder how much use a spoiler is on a convertible, especially with the top down. Just makes the trunk springs’ job harder.
These take me back to childhood. My buddy next door had a much-older brother who got one either new or very lightly used. I remember the hood-mounted tach. It’s funny how at the time the Firebird (hardtop) got lost in the driveway with their mom’s 68 GTO and their dad’s 67 LeMans Sprint.
I will now forever think of these ( my favorites) as Springtime Firebirds.
Great looking car, love the 1st gen Camaro/Firebird. Reminds me of my aunt and her ’68 Camaro convertible, although hers was in mint green with a white top. She never married, dyed her hair red and worked for Bekins for about 40 years, her first and last job. When she became ill, we said goodbye over the phone because she didn’t want us to see her in the hospital.
“Imagine seeing one of these in the metal for the first time and thinking it was a mildly customized, new Camaro.”
Back in the 60’s Chevy and Pontiac were thought of as distinct brands. Not too many would look at the new ’67 Firebird and assume it’s a Chevy. Especially since Firebird was promoted as a Pontiac product, and the brand was #3 on sales charts.
Not too many would look at the new ’67 Firebird and assume it’s a Chevy.
I sure did, in 1967. And I think quite a few others did so too. Let’s face it: the Firebird was by far the least distinctive Pontiac, since it shared almost every exterior panel with the Camaro, except the hood. Even the front fenders are the same. That was not the case with the rest of the Pontiac line in that time.
What made the Firebird distinctive was under the skin.
At last weekend’s Cars & Coffee Richmond, somebody showed up with a 2017 Trans Am. A very nice aftermarket repop Camaro painted, of course, in Smokey black with gold stripes. No T-tops, however.
Of course, I never think of taking a camera to these meets.
Not diggin’ the rear deck spoiler. Was that an option at the time?
Not in ’67, but I think you could get one like this in ’69. “Spoils” the look of this bird though…
I loved the Firebird more than the Camaro! Firebirds had that certain French panache that you couldn’t get in a simple chevrolet (With a small “c”!) Many europeans saw them on the streets of Montreal, and couldn’t wait to get them on the Autoroutes back home, even there were ‘Bird afficionados in Japan as well… So Pontiac had that certain international style that many emulated or tried to copy. If this was an excuse for GM to return Pontiac as a “Canada-only” brand, and link it with Holden, it is NOW.
Never really cared much for the 1st generation Camaro/Firebird. I understand they had inferior driving dynamics (especially the ’67s) compared to the 2nd gen+
I’m with you there–they’ve just never had a place in my heart. Leaves me cold for some reason. I can objectively see that it’s attractive, and probably a hoot to drive, but it doesn’t thrill me. If I were to have a Firebird, give me either a ’70 T/A or an ’89 TTA.
It also strikes me, personally, as funny to think about summer coming now–here in Richmond today it’s about 60 degrees and raining. This after having sunny days in the low 80’s a couple weeks ago, but that seems like a memory now!
Enjoyable read as usual though, and I hope those guys are enjoying their cruise.