Pontiac Firebird (1967) – Ultimate Guide
INTRODUCTION
- The first Firebird was made at Lordstown, Ohio, in early January 1967.
- Pontiac offered both a coupe and a convertible on February 23, 1967.
- The basic structure of the 1967 Firebird was based on the Camaro.
- The sheet metal of the front fenders, door skins, and rear quarters were borrowed from the Camaro.
- Pontiac added the split front grille, a beaked hood, and taillights patterned after the GTO.
- External features included:
- sculptured body styling
- twin grilles of a bumper-integral design
- front vent windows
- three vertical air slots on the leading edge of the rear body panels
- Although the frame and shell was borrowed from the Camaro, the engines were built by Pontiac.
- Some think that the overhead cam engine was the exclusive choice of European and Japanese cars while American cars favored only the pushrod overhead valve engines.
- However, Pontiac fielded an overhead cam (OHC) inline six cylinder engine with 230 cid (3.8-liter) producing 165 horsepower (gross rating) fueled through a one-barrel carburetor.
- The OHC engine could be beefed up with a four-barrel carburetor and an increased compression ratio (from 9:1 to 10.5:1) and thus produce 215 hp.
- The six cylinder engine could be mated to one of three transmission options:
- Three-speed manual
- Four-speed manual
- Two-speed Powerglide automatic
- Because the horsepower pony race was on, many buyers chose the V8 engine to compete with Mustang and Camaro.
- Again there were four V8 engine options:
- 250-hp two-barrel 326 cid
- 285-hp four-barrel 326 cid
- 325-hp four-barrel 400 cid
- 335-hp ram air four-barrel 400 cid
- Four transmission options were available:
- Three-speed manual
- Four-speed manual
- Two-speed Powerglide automatic
- Three-speed Turbo-hydramatic automatic
- Bucket seats were standard.
- Two body styles (coupe and convertible) were offered and came with any of the Tempest or GTO power trains.
- However, the two body styles were marketed in five “model-options” created by adding RPOs in specific combinations.
- Production records were not kept according to the RPO packages, but by the number of sixes and V-8s built with standard or deluxe appointments.
- The model-option such as Sprint, H.O., and 400 are described in the optional equipment section below.
I.D. NUMBERS
VIN Location | Left front door post | |
---|---|---|
Position | Character | Description |
1 | 2 | General Motors: Pontiac Division |
2 & 3 | 23 | Body series: Firebird |
4 & 5 | 67 | Convertible |
37 | Hardtop | |
6 | 7 | Year: 1967 |
7 | V | Assembled in Lordstown, Ohio |
8 to 13 | 100001 to 182560 | Production sequence |
PRODUCTION NOTES
Model | Synchromesh Transmission | Automatic Transmission | Total |
---|---|---|---|
Standard ohc six Firebirds | 5,258 | 5,597 | 10,855 |
Standard V-8 Firebirds | 8,224 | 15,301 | 23,525 |
Deluxe ohc six Firebirds | 2,963 | 3,846 | 6,809 |
Deluxe V-8 Firebirds | 11,526 | 29,845 | 41,371 |
Totals | 27,971 | 54,589 | 82,560 |
IDENTIFICATION
Model Number | Style Number | Body Type | Seating | Factory Price | Shipping Weight | Production Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
223 | 22337 |
|
5 | $2666 | 2955 | 67,032 |
223 | 22367 |
|
5 | $2903 | 3247 | 15,528 |
ENGINE
FEATURE | Base 6 | Sprint 6 | Tempest 8 | Tempest 8 | GTO 8 | HO 8 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Configuration | Inline | Inline | Vee | Vee | Vee | Vee |
Cylinders | Six | Six | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 |
Valves | Overhead | Overhead | Overhead | Overhead | Overhead | Overhead |
Camshaft | Overhead | Overhead | Pushrod | Pushrod | Pushrod | Pushrod |
Block | Cast Iron | Cast Iron | Cast Iron | Cast Iron | Cast Iron | Cast Iron |
Displacement | 230 cid | 230 cid | 326 cid | 326 cid | 400 cid | 400 cid |
Bore & Stroke | 3.85″x3.25″ | 3.85″x3.25″ | 3.718″x3.75″ | 3.718″x3.75″ | 4.125″x3.746″ | 4.125″x3.746″ |
Compression Ratio | 9.0:1 | 10.5:1 | 9.2:1 | 10.75:1 | 10.75:1 | 10.75:1 |
Brake HP | 165 @ 4700 rpm | 215@5200 rpm | 250@4600 rpm | 285@4600 rpm | 335@5000 rpm | 325@4800 rpm |
Main bearings | 5 | 5 | ||||
Valve Lifters | Hydraulic | Hydraulic | Hydraulic | Hydraulic | Hydraulic | Hydraulic |
Carburetor | Rochester model 7027167 one-barrel |
Rochester four-barrel |
Rochester model 7025071 two-barrel |
Rochester four-barrel |
Rochester model 7027071 four-barrel |
Four-barrel |
TRANSMISSION
Three-speed manual transmission w/floor shift |
Three-speed manual transmission with full-synchromesh |
Four-speed manual transmission |
Automatic transmission with base OHC-6 |
Automatic transmission with 326-cid V-8 |
CHASSIS
Model | Wheelbase | Overall Length | Front Tread | Rear Tread | Tires |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Firebird | 108″ | 188.4″ | 60″ | 60″ | E70 x 14 |
OPTIONS
Dual-stage air cleaner | $9 |
Custom air conditioner | $343 |
Carpeting | $19 |
Cruise control | $53 |
Remote control deck lie | $13 |
Head rests | $42 |
Remote control outside mirror | $7 |
Rally gauge cluster | $84 |
Power antenna | $29 |
AM/FM radio | $134 |
Reclining right-hand bucket seat | $84 |
Stereo tape player | $128 |
Tilt steering | $42 |
Three-speed manual transmission w/floor shift | $42 |
Three-speed manual transmission with full-synchromesh | $84 |
Four-speed manual transmission | $184 |
Automatic transmission with base OHC-6 | $226 |
Automatic transmission with 326-cid V-8 | $195 |
Wire wheel discs | $53 – $70 |
Rally I wheels | $40 – $57 |
Rally II wheels | $56 – $72 |
MODEL OPTION PACKAGES
Firebird Sprint |
|
---|---|
Firebird 326 |
|
Firebird 326-H.O. |
|
Firebird 400 |
|
PERFORMANCE
MODEL | 0-to-60 MPH | QUARTER MILE |
---|---|---|
215-hp Sprint | 10 seconds | 17.5 seconds |
325-hp Firebird 400 | 6.4 seconds | 14.3 seconds |
325-hp Firebird 400 | 14.7 @ 98 mph |
HISTORICAL NOTES
1967 Firebird Notes
- The Firebird debuted Feb. 23, 1967.
- A “Fitchbird” (a performance-oriented package for Firebirds) was marketed by racing car builder and driver John Fitch.
- It had a 400-cid or 428-cid V-8 and the so-called “His-And-Her” transmission that allowed conventional shifting of the automatic gear selector.
1967 Automotive Notes
- Cadillac introduces the front-drive Eldorado
- Chevrolet introduces the Camaro
- Chevrolet introduces the Chevelle Concours
- Dodge introduces the Coronet R/T
- Mercury introduces the Cougar, an upscale Mustang with hide-away headlight
- Mercury introduces the Marquis and Marquis Brougham
- Pontiac introduces the Firebird
- Shelby introduces the GT-500
- Air conditioning found on 38% of new cars
- Underbodies of most cars made with corrosion-resistant galvanized steel
- Dual-braking system installed on all new cars
- Collapsible steering columns are introduced
- Pontiac is first to feature concealed wipers
- Firebirds have a deflated mini-spare tire
- GM cars have a buzzer that sounds if keys are left in the ignition when the engine is shut off and the door is opened
- GM, Ford, and AMC introduce the 5-year/50,000-mile powertrain warranty
- Corvair drops the turbocharger feature
- Last year for Lincoln’s 4-door convertible
- Toronado gets optional front disc brakes and radial tires
- James M. Roche was president of GM until November when he was replaced by Edward N. Cole
- Frederic G. Donner was chairman of the board at GM until November when James M. Roche replaced him
Top American Automobile Corporations for 1967
- General Motors 3,770,931
- Ford 1,577,512
- Chrysler 1,340,169
- AMC 208,775
- Others 6,888
Top Model Year Production for 1967
- Chevrolet 1,677,300
- Camaro 220,917
- Corvair 27,253
- Corvette 22,940
- Ford 1,176,922
- Mustang 472,121
- Thunderbird 77,956
- Shelby 3,225
- Pontiac 700,174
- Plymouth 638,075
- Buick 562,507
- Special 82,349
- Skylark 110,984
- LeSabre 155,190
- Wildcat 70,881
- Electra 225 100,304
- Riviera 42,799
- Oldsmobile 548,390
- Dodge 465,732
- Mercury 354,923
- Chrysler 218,742
- Cadillac 200,000
- Calais 21,830
- DeVille 139,809
- Eldorado 17,930
- Series Sixty Special 3,550
- Fleetwood Brougham 12,750
- Series Seventy-Five 4,133
- Rambler 143,391
- American 220 41,941
- American 440 22,801
- American Rogue 5170
- Rebel 770 55,730
- Rebel SST 18,349
- Firebird 82,560
- AMC 65,384
- Marlin 2545
- Ambassador 880 16,935
- Ambassador 990 32,092
- Ambassador DPL 13,812
- Lincoln 45,667
- Imperial 17,620
- Checker 6,757
- Excalibur 71
- Avanti II 60