Cool Cruiser: 1969 Pontiac Firebird Street Machine – SOLD!

May 5, 2022, Update – We confirmed the seller of this “Classifind” deleted their listing, so we’re now able to call this one “SOLD!” While this one got away, please reach out either by email or call us directly if you’d like to be informed when we come across something similar.

Not every enthusiast wants a number’s matching vintage Pony Car or a Tribute car that replicates the original. They want a car they can actually enjoy and be comfortable driving it.  That’s why this 1969 Pontiac Firebird hardtop originally listed in April 2022 on Craigslist in Apex, North Carolina (Raleigh) appealed to us. Originally a 350-powered car, the seller reports their Firebird now benefits from a 400 cubic inch Pontiac V8 sending power through a TurboHydramatic 400 automatic transmission. Additional goodies include a Vintage Air A/C system and Rally II-inspired 17″ modern American Racing wheels.

Currently offered for $39,900 or the best offer, Classic.com, the analytics and search engine for the collector car market, reveals the ask is slightly less than this guide’s one-year average of $44,627 based on 40 sales ranging from $18,251 to $115,500.  As a second data point, while the  Collector Car Market Review Online Tool reveals the seller’s ask falls well above this guide’s #1 “Excellent” estimate of $27,350, the premium requested accounts for the bigger engine and Vintage Air upgrades.

While Pontiac introduced its nicely styled four-seat version Firebird version of the first generation Camaro also in 1967, internally the Division executives were actually disappointed as they really wanted to produce a two-seat sports car based on the Banshee concept to compete in the Pony car market.  For the second year 1968, Pontiac eliminated side vent windows through the use of the new “Astro Ventilation” system and replaced the venerable 326 cubic inch V8 with a new 355 cubic inch mill producing 265 horsepower when equipped with the standard two-barrel carburetor.  To ensure brand parity, GM forced Pontiac to label the engine as a 350 cubic inch engine. 1968 changes included the installation of federally-mandated side marker lights. The turn signals were now larger and extended to wrap around the front edges of the car. At the rear of the car, stylists added the Pontiac (V-shaped) Arrowhead logo to each side.

1969 was the third and final model year for the first-generation Firebird.  The 1969 model received a major facelift with a new front-end design similar to the GTO, however, unlike that car, Firebirds did not feature the Endura bumper. Stylists revised the instrument panel and steering wheel. The ignition switch moved from the dashboard to the steering column with the introduction of GM’s new locking ignition switch/steering wheel.

Due to engineering problems that delayed the introduction of the new 1970 Firebird beyond the usual fall debut, Pontiac continued production of 1969 model Firebirds into the early months of the 1970 model year (the other 1970 Pontiac models had been introduced on September 18, 1969). By late spring of 1969, Pontiac had deleted all model-year references on Firebird literature and promotional materials, anticipating the extended production run of the then-current 1969 models.

The US Auto Industry YouTube Channel features this 1969 Pontiac Firebird commercial:

In addition to the honest and detailed description, we like how the seller of this 1969 Pontiac Firebird Hardtop includes a number of undercarriage pictures of their Firebird while the car is suspended on a lift.  Based on the pictures and description provided, we tend to believe the seller’s assessment that this Firebird is a “very fast and comfortable car to drive.”

Here’s the seller’s description:

Show or go: what would you do with this 1969 Pontiac Firebird?  Please comment below and let us know!