Matching Numbers, Real HO, A/C, Power Windows, Tilt, Hood Tach, Documented

Description

Most old cars reveal their flaws the longer you look at them. No old car is perfect, we all know that, but this 1967 Pontiac Firebird is one of those rare cars that just got better and better the more we looked at it. Matching numbers? Check. V8 with a 4-speed? Check. Lots of options? Check. Extensive documentation? Check. Long-term ownership? Check. Expensive restoration? Check. Everything that a discriminating buyer expects from a car, this awesome little yellow Firebird delivers. If you want a great old car that you can use every day, they don’t get much better than this.

The trim tag says code Y Mayfair Maize, but if you look at the Firebird paint charts from 1967, you won’t find it. It’s a special-order color that showed up on a handful of ’67 Firebirds and we can’t argue with the look. This car still wears all its original sheetmetal and thanks to an extensive ground-up restoration a few years ago, it looks spectacular. The gaps are even all around, the doors close with a solid feeling (a lot of GM convertibles get loose, especially the ones that have been abused), and there are virtually zero squeaks and rattles in the car as you’re going down the road. We don’t get many F-bodies that are this tight, which speaks to an easy life and a car that never needed major structural surgery. The black stripes are correct, and you got them when you ordered the H.O. version of the 326 cubic inch V8, which makes a fairly stout 285 horsepower. Those stripes give the mild-mannered yellow ragtop a bit of an edge, inviting you in for a closer look. That’s when you notice the optional hood tach, the beautiful chrome bumpers, and deck-mounted antenna. This car looks right from any angle and you know the guy who special-ordered it new in 1967 loved it (in fact, he loved it so much that he kept it until 2006). It has been driven, but it remains in outstanding condition overall.

The interior of this Firebird is a real treat because it’s loaded with options: A/C, power windows, tilt wheel, center console, power convertible top, the aforementioned hood tach, wood-rimmed steering wheel, AM/FM radio, and a console-mounted clock. Like the rest of the car, the interior was completely freshened with new seat covers, correct carpets, new door panels, and a dash pad that looks way too nice to be 50 years old. Everything works, including the clock and the radio, the A/C blows ice cold thanks to modern hardware working invisibly behind the scenes, and all the gauges keep a careful eye on the snarky little 326 under the hood. As I mentioned, this convertible is tight and solid, with none of the usual shakiness that comes on most GM convertibles, making it a pleasure to drive. Rubber floor mats were added to protect those new carpets and the seats feel firm and solid thanks to new foam underneath. The new black power convertible top powers up and down effortlessly and there’s a matching black boot, although we did not install it for photos because Pontiac’s clip design tends to scratch the paint. The trunk is correctly finished with a reproduction mat, spare tire with matching cover, and a complete jack assembly. And yes, F-body experts, the salt shakers are still in place, too, don’t worry.

If you care about pedigrees, you’ve already noted that this car has its original, numbers-matching engine, documented by the PHS build sheet. However, you may have also noticed that it is a YM-coded 326, which means an HO linked to a PowerGlide automatic, while this car has a 4-speed. Read through the extensive documentation and you will find a sworn affidavit stating that the car was accidentally delivered with a PowerGlide but that the original dealer, Meech Pontiac in Barberton, Ohio, converted it to a 4-speed prior to delivery so it would match what the customer ordered. Since the conversion was done prior to the car’s deliver and is fully documented, we don’t consider it a demerit and it’s actually a neat part of this car’s remarkable story. The engine was fully rebuilt to stock specs during the restoration and runs superbly today. The H.O. package added a 4-barrel carburetor, revised camshaft, higher compression, dual exhaust, and a few other tricks to raise horsepower from 250 to 285 and making the Firebird a lot more entertaining in the process. It’s correctly detailed with chrome valve covers and a louvered air cleaner, along with Pontiac Turquoise engine enamel. The A/C compressor is a modern unit that uses R134a refrigerant (the original A/C equipment is included with the car), but otherwise it remains 1967 spec, including tower hose clamps and a correct Delco Moraine power brake booster. This car also has the heavy-duty cooling package that includes a giant radiator and clutch fan, both of which were included with A/C. Turn the key and it lights off almost instantly, idles properly, and pulls the yellow ragtop around with real enthusiasm. It feels torquey, yet loves to rev, and you’ll find yourself getting close to redline in every gear because the high-output engine just doesn’t give up. This car is a lot more fun to drive than many of the “muscle cars” we’ve had recently.

The aforementioned 4-speed manual gearbox is a joy to row through the gears, with light clutch action and ratios that make the most of the 326’s output. In back there’s a 10-bolt with factory 3.36 gears inside, so this Firebird is a nice cruiser that never seems to work very hard. The floors are original and in excellent shape and you’ll note that all the lines and hoses are new. Power front disc brakes and power steering are part of the deal with this loaded-up Firebird and the dual exhaust system is a correct reproduction so it sounds right exhaling through traditional Pontiac quad tips. Monoleaf springs and new shocks help ride quality and there’s a new gas tank hanging out back. There are some very minor signs of use, yes, but this is one clean, solid Firebird that has never had issues and is ready to enjoy at almost any event. Handsome Rally II wheels are the right choice and they’re fitted with 215/70/14 BFGoodrich redline radials that look right and handle better.

Documentation is extensive on this car, making it truly special. We have a full PHS package showing that the car is a real-deal HO. Then there’s the affidavit proving that the car was converted to a 4-speed by the selling dealer before delivery. It includes a full set of manuals, including Protect-O-Plate and introductory letter from Pontiac management, plus a shop manual, wiring diagram, and assembly manual. There are also dozens of pages of receipts for the restoration, correspondence, and historical documents from the car’s four decades of history with the original owner. It also includes several crates full of spare parts such as the original A/C system and radio.

Collector cars don’t get much better than this. Someone spent an extraordinary amount of money on the restoration, but this is a worthy car with an awesome history. It gets all the important stuff right, and better yet, it’s a blast to drive! If you’re a hobbyist who loves to drive but who also cares about a pedigree, this Firebird is the right car at the right price. Call today!