This article briefly describes the first generation of Firebird, which was produced from the 1967th – to
1969th. Coca-Cola which was very popular at the time – it was something new, good and made desire for more, influenced many car manufacturers, including the Pontiac group. The first generation Firebird model visually was made to recall Coca-Cola glass bottle shape.
At first the car was called the “consolation” prize for GM (General Motors), because GM feared losing rivalries with Chevrolet Corvette. It was therefore decided to add some pony car style to Firebird, which, like the Camaro was the F-body feature. But the producers were not satisfied with such a “knockoff”, so they decided to make a change both in visual and engine. The base model was equipped with the OHC inline-6 and a single-chamber carburettor. Next Model “Sprint” was equipped with a four-chamber carburettor which developed 215 hp (160kW). But most buyers opted for one of the V8 engines: the 326 CID (5.3 L) with a two-chamber carburettor which developed to 250 hp (186kW), “HO” (High Output) engine with four-chamber carburetor which developed to 285 hp (213 kW) or 400 CID (6.6 L) from the GTO with the the ability to develop up to 325 hp (242 kW).
In the next years Firebird experienced many changes in visual outlook and performance modifications.
More information about all generations in English can be found here.
A small hint on how to know what car is sitting in your garage or what car are you going to buy. A VIN plate decode table:
| | 2 2 | 3 3 7 | 7 | N | 1 | 0 0 0 0 1 | | ||
| Description | ||
| 22 – Carline Series | 22 = Pontiac Firebird | 12 = Chevrolet Camaro |
| 337 – Model Number | Pontiac: 337 = Coupe, all engines 367 = Convertible, all engines |
Chevrolet: 337 = Coupe, 6 cylinder 367 = Convertible, 6 cylinder 437 = Coupe, 8 cylinder 467 = Convertible, 8 cylinder |
| 7 – Model Year | 7 = 1967 8 = 1968 9 = 1969 |
|
| N – Assembly Plant | U = Lordstown N = Norwood L = Van Nuys |
|
| 1 – Year/Engine Type | Pontiac: 1 = 8 cylinder, all years 6 = 6 cylinder, all years |
Chevrolet: 1 = 1967, all engines 3 = 1968, all engines 5 = 1969, all engines |
| 00001 – Production Sequence |
