The headlights were still four in number, but were now moved outboard of the grille surround. In order to keep up with a constantly evolving Mustang, the 1969 Firebird received a total reskin which made the car longer, wider, and heavier. Beginning up front, the grille was extensively redone, with a center dual-kidney design. For an upcharge, a Firebird could be painted in any color via special-order. (Photo courtesy of Barrett-Jackson.)All Firebirds were available with a wide spectrum of options including such niceties as power steering, limited-slip rear differential, custom interior, air conditioning, hood-mounted tach, cruise control, center console, expanded instrumentation and an 8-track tape stereo. The Firebird’s interior was a step up from the Camaro’s. Inside, the Firebird’s interior was slightly plusher than that of the Camaro, with standard front buckets and woodgrain inserts on the dash. The 400s were equipped with 14 x 6-inch steel wheels with hubcaps, or Rally I or Rally II wheels, shod with Firestone E70-14 Wide-Oval redline tires. Buyers could opt for power-assist drum or 11-inch, four-piston front disc brakes. The front suspension consisted of coil springs, hydraulic shocks and an anti-roll bar, while out back, semi-elliptic mono leaf springs, hydraulic shocks and two radius rods completed the proceedings.Īs was customary at the time, non-power, hydraulic drum brakes were standard on all four corners, and measured 9.5-inches. A wide variety of rear axle ratios were available and depended on engine and transmission choices. Transmission options included Powerglide and Turbo Hydra-Matic 400 slushboxes, Warner and Saginaw three-speeds, and 4-Speed Muncie or Saginaws for those who wanted to row their own gears. Performance with the hot setup was excellent, propelling the Firebird 400 to sixty in 5.8 seconds, and tripping the quarter in 14.4 at 100 mph.
A “Ram Air” option did not increase horsepower, but saw it peak at 5200 rpm. Topping the range was the Firebird 400, whose 400 cubic-inch lump with a Rochester Quadra-Jet carburetor pushed 325 horses. The 400 cubic-inch V8 in the 1967 Firebird 400. So without further ado, I’m pleased to present you this month’s rare ride: the 1969 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am convertible. It’s a car that certainly fits right in with the previously mentioned unicorns in terms of its low production volume and holy grail status today. Or the three 1969 Hurst/Olds convertibles that ever rolled on pavement.įor this month, I thought we’d have a look at the scarcest GM F-Body car ever produced, one which you may not even know existed. Or the 37 copies of the ’68 Mercury Cougar 428 Cobra Jet GT-E that left the factory. Cars like the 1971 Plymouth Hemi GTX, of which only 30 were built. We are concerned solely with truly unique cars that were manufactured in such small numbers that they now fetch hundreds of thousands if not millions of dollars in the collector market. ‘But here at Rare Rides, we don’t play those kind of reindeer games.
I am usually attentive and polite to those kind of folks, because I realize that their readiness to share this information usually comes from a good place: the enthusiasm they have for their particular vehicle. And the Bullitt Mustang owner who knows exactly how few Highland Green ponies were produced in his year’s production run. Or the guy with the LC-body Challenger who insists on the scarcity of his car because it’s painted in a limited-edition Heritage Color. The guy who is eager to tell you that his late model Camaro is rare because his particular option selections makes the car one of one. You’ve met them before in car fanatic circles.
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