1967-1969 Pontiac Firebird Sprint - The exception

[jetsetter]

1967-1969 Pontiac Firebird Sprint
Firebird Sprint with the high performance 230 cubic inch displacement (cid) version of the Overhead Cam in-line 6, was rated @ 215 bhp, equipped with a Quadrajet and floor mounted manual 3 speed; Known as W-53 rated 215 bhp in '68

Conceived As: An opportunity for GM to sell more pony cars by upgrading the Camaro and marketing it under the Pontiac badge. It would have a new, Pontiac-designed 6-cylinder engine as standard, along with two optional V-8s. The Firebird was priced about $200 more than the Camaro at every level and featured a better ride as well as a distinctive look. It was offered as a coupe or convertible in six different versions, some of which were capable of very rapid acceleration. Transmission options were remarkable.

Characteristic Features: More than anything, the Firebird's front end set it apart from the Camaro, which was important as the rest of the body was essentially the same. The extra length allowed for a sleeker profile, with a sharp, boat-like leading edge, twin "nostrils," and four headlights. In the performance department, the overhead-cam six produced only 165 hp but a later version, the Firebird Sprint, delivered a healthy 215 hp from the 230 c.i. six. V-8 Firebirds were more powerful but heavier.

Claim to Fame: Racing was the name of the game then, and it wasn't long before the Firebird was competing in the Sports Car Club of America's Trans Am series, running against Mustangs, Camaros, Barracudas, Challengers, and AMC Javelins; the cream of the pony cars, battling it out on road courses from coast-to-coast. The Firebird Trans Am was Pontiac's flag-bearer, finishing third in the 1969 series.

History:
As this is written by one with a sentimental attachment to inline 6-cylinder engines, you'll forgive me if I dwell on the six while also acknowledging the performance available from V-8 options. Covering the car scene when the Firebird was launched, I was delighted when Pontiac gave it a very European overhead-cam six. In those days "overhead-cam" was not in Detroit's dictionary.

I tested a 6-cylinder Firebird convertible for Track & Traffic magazine and was pleased with the way it performed and handled. The use of a toothed, fiberglass-reinforced, rubber belt instead of the usual noisy chain, a world-first, made for a quiet engine with a mellow tone. I also thought it was a better-looking car than the Camaro.

The launch car came with a 3-speed manual or 3-speed auto. The 6-cylinder Firebird Sprint included a 4-barrel Quadrajet carburetor, 10.5:1 compression, heavy-duty clutch, floor-mounted three-speed, larger valves, and low restriction intake and exhaust system. With 215 hp and less weight up front (vs. the V-8s), it would have been a superb road car had a 4-speed manual been included. V-8's offered a beefed-up 3-speed, extra-cost 4-speed manual, optional Turbo-Hydramatic.

Sentimentality aside, there is no argument about the brute acceleration available from those V-8s. For example, the Firebird H.O. came with a 336 c.i. "High Output" 4-barrel producing 285 hp on premium fuel. It also included stiffer suspensions, dual exhausts, side stripes with "H.O." lettering. Not enough rubber-burning acceleration? How about a 400 c.i. 4-barrel Quadrajet with 325 hp, heavy-duty floor shift 3-speed, heavy duty springs, wide-oval red-line tires, chrome air cleaners, dual exhaust, declutching engine fan, heavy-duty battery, heavy-duty starter motor, heavy-duty radiator, chrome rocker covers and oil filler cap?

The Firebird went on to greater fame but for this writer, that 215 hp Sprint is the 'Bird I'd like to own. If only it had a 4-speed manual.









I call this car the exception because during the 60s and 70s nobody in Detroit had even heard of an SOHC engine and then Pontiac comes out of the blue with a inline 6 with an overhead cam. I really want one of these.

[jayhawk]

I had a science teacher in HS that had a Firebird Sprint with straight 6; it was weird sound to hear. Car was a red convertible with 3 speed manual. Pristine condition.

[janstett]

How many of these were made versus the more popular V8s?