Featured on AutoHunter, the online auction platform driven by ClassicCars.com, is this 1969 Pontiac Firebird Coupe.
For me, the only thing cooler than a first generation Camaro is its alter ego, the Firebird. I am not sure if it was because the star of Booker, a TV show I watched in the 1980s, drove one, or because of the subtle styling differences. But to me the original Firebird is the absolute best looking of all the early pony cars.
Our AutoHunter Spotlight car is not your average 1969 Firebird either, as it has been restored to look like a Trans Am model and has quite a few other niceties added as well.
The car is described by the seller as a restored 1969 Pontiac Firebird coupe styled after the 1969 Trans Am that received new paint, a Vintage Air climate control system, and an upgraded Ridetech suspension. If you do not know anything about the Ridetech suspension, google it and you will understand what a huge difference this makes to this Firebird. The car is powered by Pontiac’s awesome 400cid V8 and is backed by a four-speed manual transmission. Features include a rear spoiler, power steering and brakes, and bucket seats. Finished in white with blue stripes over a black vinyl interior, this Pontiac comes from the selling dealer with a clear title.
The exterior of this Firebird shouts Trans Am in every detail. During its restoration, the exterior was finished in white and accented with blue stripes. Features include chrome bumpers, a fender-mounted antenna, hood scoops, dual rearview mirrors, fender scoops, a rear spoiler, Trans Am badging, and a blue tail panel. The seller also includes a walk-around video. The car rides on a set of period correct 14-inch Pontiac II Rally wheels that are wrapped in period correct Firestone Wide Oval bias-ply tires.
The interior looks to be just as good as the exterior. The seller states that it is furnished with correct material black vinyl front bucket seats and a matching rear seat surrounded by black vinyl door panels and trim. Features include manual windows, power steering, a Hurst floor-mounted manual transmission shifter, an AM radio, and a Vintage Air climate control system.
Under the car we see some of the nice additions to this car. It has been correctly modified with Ridetech tubular upper and lower control arms and coil-over shocks oat the front as well as Ridetech coil-over shocks and a sway bar at the rear. Braking is provided by power drums. A dual exhaust system exits at the rear end.
Under the hood is a non-original Pontiac 400cid V8 and backed by a four-speed manual transmission. The engine features include chrome valve covers, a Holley four-barrel carburetor, and a chrome air cleaner.
Now if this was an original 1969 Trans Am it would cost quite a lot of money and would not have the added benefits of a bigger engine nor the serious upgrade to the Ridetech suspension. No one would do that to an original 1969 Trans Am. The reality is that the Ridetech suspension is simply amazing. It takes a 1969 car and gives it handling prowess that approaches a modern Camaro. The idea of having a classic Pontiac Firebird with the handling of a modern pony car is something that I think is awesome. It is the perfect car to take on the Hot Rod Powertour or even the Bandit Run. It is quite simply a perfect driver classic pony car.
The auction for this 1969 Pontiac Firebird Coupe ends Tuesday, December 26, 2023 at 12:00 p.m. (MST)
Visit the AutoHunter listing for more information and photo gallery
As a, once upon a time, owner of a 69 Firebird, I couldn’t agree more with the handling upgrades.
All 69 trans am’s came with400 ci v8. So this car doesn’t benefit from bigger engine. Plus it would have been ram air 3 or 4 engine, which I assume this car does not or I am sure they would have mentioned that. Would be nice to know what variation of 400 they put in car
Awesome ride. Would love to bid on it
As an owner of 2 1970 TransAm Firebirds, one each auto and 4 speed, the ram 3 or 4 is correct with the 4 having to be spec al ordered or as a dealer installed. The stock engine would be the ram air 3. Before my TransAM’s I had a 1968 GTO, the stock engine in ’68 was not a ram air rated 400cid 350hp, the ram 3 in 1970 is a 400 rated at 325 hp the 4 at 335, go figure a ram air less then the stock 68 GTO motor the same 2 motors in the GTO rated at 366 a d 370. In the ’90’s the Pontiac HP magazine Dinoed the GTO ram air 4 and it made 455 hp 468 pound feet of torque. Chevy’s ’70 LS 454 was factory rated at 450 but needed headers to make that much power, Pontiac’s did it without having to install headers. Pontiac was no slouch in 1970 in either car