The 1969 Pontiac Firebird is an American automobile that was built and produced by Pontiac, with models produced from the 1967 to 2002 model years. Designed as a pony car to compete with the Ford Mustang, it was introduced on February 23, 1967, five months after GM’s Chevrolet division’s platform-sharing Camaro. This also coincided with the release of the 1967 Mercury Cougar, Ford’s upscale, platform-sharing version of the Mustang.

The name “Firebird” was also previously used by GM for the General Motors Firebird in the 1950s and early 1960s concept cars. However, the name was revived for the Firebird in the late 1960s and became a household name among car enthusiasts.

The first-generation Firebird had characteristic Coke bottle styling shared with its cousin, the Chevrolet Camaro. Announcing a Pontiac styling trend, the Firebird’s bumpers were integrated into the design of the front end, giving it a more streamlined look than the Camaro. The Firebird’s rear “slit” taillights were inspired by the 1966-1967 Pontiac GTO. Both a two-door hardtop and a convertible were offered through the 1969 model year.

For 1969, the Firebird underwent several changes, including new front fenders, revised bumpers, and a new horizontal bar grille. The interior also received a significant redesign, with a new dashboard, revised door panels, and new high-back bucket seats.

Under the hood, the base engine was a 250 cu in (4.1 L) inline-six, while the optional engines included a 350 cu in (5.7 L) V8 and a 400 cu in (6.6 L) V8. The 400 V8 was available in three versions: the base 330 hp (246 kW) version, the Ram Air III rated at 335 hp (250 kW), and the top-of-the-line Ram Air IV rated at 345 hp (257 kW).

In addition to these options, a special 303 cu in (5.0 L) engine was designed for SCCA road racing applications that was not available in production cars. The engine featured an aluminum intake manifold, 12.5:1 compression ratio, and a special camshaft, producing over 465 hp (347 kW) at 7,500 rpm.

The Firebird’s popularity continued to grow throughout the 1970s, with several generations of the car being produced over the years. While production of the Firebird ended in 2002, the car remains a beloved classic among car enthusiasts and collectors.

Texoma Classics is working on a Firebird that requires engine work. Our team is currently inspecting the vehicle and identifying any mechanical issues to restore the engine to optimal performance.