Rare Firebird

[copo9566aa]

This post is for rare Firebird http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggthumpup.gif
I'am starting with the rare Quebec only 1969 Firebird Comanche
Anyone have more info/photo on this rare Bird.
Firebird Comanche (http://www.firebirdgallery.com/projlot4.htm#Frank_Firebird)

[copo9566aa]

[ QUOTE ]
the rare Quebec only

[/ QUOTE ] http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbsdown.gif
The original ads from Canada Track & Traffic 1969 http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggthumpup.gif

[copo9566aa]

The 1969 Firebird T/A Palladium Silver Prototype test car http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggthumpup.gif

[StealthBird]

The original plan for the 69 T/A was to use a standard paint scheme. At the last minute, the white/blue stripes scheme was developed. The prototype 69 T/A was Palladium Silver, and used a fiberglass hood, compared to the production cars that were all painted white with blue stripes, and had steel hoods.

There was also a 69 Firebird "mule" car created by PMD Engineers to test the upcoming 455HO. This was supposed to be the 455 version of the 400 RAIV. They used a 455 shortblock, RAIV heads, and oddly enough, had a 66 Tri-Power setup on top (would have been changed to a Q-jet for production). Although this incarnation of the 455HO never made production, there actually was a 455HO d-port version available in the 1970 GTO's, much tamer, with a milder cam and steel intake. Pontiac picked up the 455HO name again in 1971, with low compression, round port heads, and aluminum intake back in place.

The 69 Firebird 455HO mule car was Carousel Red with black headlight bezels, black chin spoiler, and had black accents on the windsplits as well as on the sides of the hood scoops. This mule car was seen all over Woodward Ave at the time, but of course this 455HO never made it into the production 69 or 70 Firebirds. It was originally thought that with the delayed introduction of the 70 Firebirds, and the long 18 month run of 1969 Firebirds, that Pontiac could offer a 455HO and market the 69 Firebird as the 70 Firebird until the 70-1/2 Firebirds arrived. There are two versions of the original 69 Firebird brochure. The later version has the "1969" removed from all the text.

There was another PMD Engineering 69 Firebird 400 Convertible prepared as a media fleet car, and it ended up in Hollywood for use on the last season of "I Dream Of Jeannie". It was driven by Roger Healy, but was rarely seen on camera. There were a few scenes where you could see the car in the background, and there was one episode where the cast was sitting in the car. From the few times it was used, it appeared to be Rallye Green (Camaro color), and had side air extractors mounted in front of the rear wheelwells, facing forward, and a Trans Am hood.

[JoeC]

Mike - interesting post
Does anyone have info on the Trans AM prototype with a 303 cuin engine? I remember reading an article in a 1969 magazine about a test ride in the car but never heard anything more about it.

[StealthBird]

The 1969 303 Firebird was a bit of a myth. Like the 400 based RAV cars, the RAV 303 Firebird was never released to the public, but several 303's were sold back door to SCCA racers. Those that thoight they were getting a Pontiac version of the Chevy or Ford 302 were sadly mistaken.

Old Cars Price Guide still lists the 303 engine as an option on the 69 Firebird, which is totally inaccurate. I believe that's why there's always been a myth of sorts about the RAV 303 Firebird. Old Cars Price Guide is, unfortunately, somewhat of a bible for collectors and insurance companies because it's produced monthly, but there are several errors within its pages. Just until recently, they listed a 421 as a rare option on the 65 GTO. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif

There was a very short, one-page test conducted of a 69 Trans Am 303. The car was a complete dog, barely managing 16 second 1/4 mile times, and having to resort to an "estimated top speed" calculation, perhaps because they didn't want the road testers to actually run the car at a race track. Pontiac allowed this car to be road tested in order to generate some interest in their soon-to-be-killed 303 tunnel port campaign. They were hoping that this was a Pontiac alternative to the popular 302 based Z/28 and Mustangs, but the RAV heads didn't belong on a 303, and the overall package was an embarrassment. For racing purposes, the RAV heads were replaced with RAIV heads to make the 303 competitive.

There are a couple original photos of a RAV 303 installed in a 69 Firebird, and those can be seen in the excellent book "Firebird! America's Premier Ponycar". With the giant Ram Air baseplate covering most of the engine, the RAV appears like a RAIV at first glance. Without popping the hood, you can tell a RAV 303 from a RAIV 400. Simply drive one. The one that scares you is the RAIV. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

[copo9566aa]

Cool story http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/beers.gif
The silver T/A 400 http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggthumpup.gif

[copo9566aa]

And the 303 T/A http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggthumpup.gif

[StealthBird]

That's a great photo of the 303 RAV in the 69 Firebird. Notice the use of an air pump, and also note how the RAV used two long heat riser tubes, one off each exhaust manifold, attached to a factory RAIV baseplate.

The factory 69/70 RAIV cars (both GTO and Firebird) used a long heat riser tube on the driver's side, while the passenger side used the short elbow that attached to the heat crossover on the RAIV two-piece intake manifold. The RAV intake manifold was cast as a one piece, and was designed to run a Holley carb.

Sidenote: The entire 1969 Firebird Ram Air setup, whether RAIII or RAIV, was a complex series of parts that were used for the 1969 Firebird only. The 1968 and 1970 setups were completely different. There were two different baseplates used on the 1969 Ram Air Firebirds, one for the RAIII, the other for the RAIV (or RAV in this case). The RAIII baseplate, which is what most people are used to seeing, looks the RAIV baseplate but with the passenger side "ear" cut off. The reason for this was that the RAIII was available with a/c, the RAIV was not, so the RAIII baseplate had the clearance for the a/c unit.

[yellowjudge]

Do you know if the bird http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/flag.gif on I dream of Genie exists? It did look green, i remember the reruns. I was 2 when shoe cancelled.

[Rick]

I had a chance to by a 68 Firebird Camanche about 2 yrs ago. I'll try to post a couple pictures of it. It was a 400 auto, rally gages, clock, deluxe interior. THe guy wanted $12500 CDN I believe, it need to be totally redone.

I have a 67 Fitch Firebird, Fitch made about 6.

I just tried to post a couple pictures they're to big, I can email them to you if you'd like.

-Rick

[copo9566aa]

Cool http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/burnout.gif
I'm never view a 68 Comanche http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/beers.gif
Only 8 would have been made.
I Have a test of a Fitchbird in a old small mechanics magazine.
With an OHC 6
-Rick PM for you http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/3gears.gif

[copo9566aa]

Thanks Rick
The 68 Comanche http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggthumpup.gif

[copo9566aa]

And the 67 FitchBird GM063? (8 or 9)
http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggthumpup.gif

[Rick]

Copo9566aa,

Is the Fitch picture from the magazine you told me about? I believe that's my car, There is a picture in the book Fabulous Firebirds of my car with that GM plate on it,
the plate number is GM 0638. Mine is the only OHC engined car Fitch made (others where 400ci).

Rick

[copo9566aa]

Rick
Yes this is a test from Science & mechanics february 1969 http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/dunno.gif http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggthumpup.gif

[copo9566aa]

2 http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggthumpup.gif

[Pantera]

Hey I like the looks of those scoops that makes it look totally different. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/worship.gif

[Fhakya]

Wow, those are different. Squint your eyes a bit on that 2nd pic above and it looks a bit like a 68-69 AMX. http://www.yenko.net/attachments/66896-67FitchBirdTest2A.jpg

[Rick]

Copo9566aa, Thanks a million for a copy of the Fitch article, that's my car it! http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggthumpup.gif http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/beers.gif

The car does look a little like a big AMX from the side.

[copo9566aa]

Rick
You welcome http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggthumpup.gif
And thanks for the 68 Comanche Pictures http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/beers.gif

[Steve_Hoog]

Roger

About a year ago I had a phone tech come out to our dealership to do some switch programming; she was rather hot looking, before leaving she informed me this was were she got her first car and that she still had a pic of it. She sent it to me a few days later in an email.

[skierkaj]

I can't say I've ever heard of a Skybird. Was this a "one of a kind/nothing special" car?

[copo9566aa]

Steved
Look cool the girl with the Skybird http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gifit drinks pepsi http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

I'm not a big fan of a flat hood
I like scooped hood http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/beers.gif

Skybird http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggthumpup.gif (http://www.firebirdgallery.com/77lot2.htm)

[copo9566aa]

Lol my favorite graemlins is on a plum box http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggthumpup.gif

[DaJudge]

Pontiac made two other special additions as well that year a Not quite canary yellow, Yellow bird and a red, Red Bird edition both with similar stripping packages. Definetely geared towards the female buyer at the time.

[Steve_Hoog]

Female buyers...

http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/naughty.gif

[yellowjudge]

I think they also made a black bird. all seemed like "chick" cars. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/flag.gif

[Pantera]

There were some bodyshops here in town that make up Black Knights for Ernie Miller out of GMC Sprint (Elcamino's) by doing special paint and adding a TA hood and side scoop along with gold pinstrioing and special Hood decals and other logo's to a Full optioned but base car. I think they also did some plain Firebirds up grades to look like a black bird or a blue bird but using a base car to start with. They sure did a lot of these through a body shop near me that a friend of mine owned.

[Steve_Hoog]

You are correct, and we made some special pace cars back in 80 or 81. I believe the where abouts of one of the El Caminos is known, I'm working on getting old pics from Marc right now for some of these.

[StealthBird]

Actually, Sky Bird was the only "chick" version of the Firebird in 1977. With the popularity of the Trans Am growing, and with the Sky Bird being successful with female buyers, Pontiac added the Red Bird package in 1978, then the Yellow Bird package in 1979. These are truly "chick" cars and were geared towards women wanting the Firebird image with a custom touch. I think the cigarette lighter was a lipstick holder. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/naughty.gif

The "black" version, referred to above, was definately not a "chick" car, because it was an option on the Trans Am, not the base Firebird. The black and gold Special Edition option became wildly popular after the "Smokey And The Bandit" movie came out. These rare cars quickly gained the "Bandit" nickname, and overnight the 1977 Special Edition Trans Am became one of the most famous cars in America, right alongside the Starsky & Hutch Torino. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/haha.gif

Yes, these were all sticker packages, but the Special Edition Trans Am's proved the most eye-catching, and most aggressive looking, of the bunch. The black paint job, with gold pinstriping and gold wheels (aka "Bandit"), started life on a 1974 SD455 Trans Am show car. The paint scheme was influenced by the Mario Andretti "John Player Special" Formula 1 car's paint scheme, which was very popular at that time. The 74 SD455 show car had a LOT of metalflake in the paint, and was the talk of the auto show circuit. Pontiac decided to bring the paint scheme to production on the 1976 50th Anniversary Trans Am (very rare), then made it a regular production option on the 1977 Trans Am.

While stripes and stickers were what the late 70's were about, the 77-79 Trans Am's, with or without the Special Edition paint scheme, were still high performance cars in every sense of the word. With the 400 4-speed, and the WS6 handling package with 4-wheel disk brake setup, they could run rings around Z/28's and Corvettes of the day.

Ok, that was WAY too much info on the stripe and sticker Firebirds. Now back to our original programming.

[mahoy78spyder]

I remember these cars.... and you can still get the decals here: http://www.stencilsandstripes.com/pr_pont_birds.asp

Ken