Why don’t Pontiacs get any respect? If this matching-numbers 1967 Pontiac Firebird 400 convertible was a Camaro SS convertible or a 390 cubic inch Mustang ragtop, it would be 40% mor expensive. So maybe regard it as a stunning opportunity to own some first-class muscle with a bulletproof pedigree, lots of documentation, and an award-winning restoration by Pontiac expert Tom Viani, all at a nice discount. There’s a freshly (and expensively) rebuilt engine under the hood, a folder full of restoration receipts and photos, and multiple magazine appearances that go with it. So why not color a little bit outside the lines and have some Pontiac-sized fun?

If you’ve skipped ahead to the end, you’ve already seen that this car has full PHS documentation. You’ve also seen the restoration photos showing a bare-metal respray several years ago. The cowl tag says this one was originally code Q Vedoro Green, but since they were restoring it from the foundation on up, a change to Gulf Turquoise doesn’t seem like a bad idea. The result is a beautiful F-body convertible that has a subtle yet sporting look that seems very much in character. Although the work was finished some years ago, it’s holding up beautifully with only a few minor signs of use and age and nothing that would keep you from enjoying the car immediately. They took great pride in using only NOS parts in the restoration, which includes the wing on the rear deck—not correct for a 400 but certainly in character and it looks great. This first-year F-body offers all kinds of wonderful details, from the twin nostrils on the hood scoop, neat little Firebird emblems on the front fenders, and the slotted taillights that give it a very distinct personality compared to its cousin, the Camaro. If we’re picking nits, we’d note a small bubble on the leading edge of the hood and another on the lower edge of the passenger’s door, but they don’t seem to be due to rust, but perhaps just prep issues that have finally surfaced. For a restoration approaching voting age, it really is in fantastic shape.

There are notes in the file that suggest the seats are original, but they almost seem too nice to be 55 years old. The carpets may also be original, and they’re in great condition, as are the door panels, wood appliques, and dash pad. The woodgrained wheel adds some warmth to the well-dressed Pontiac interior, which is where the Firebird stands apart from the Camaro—it feels just a bit more luxurious. Factory gauges cover only the basics, so an aftermarket tach was added to the steering column, plus a set of auxiliary gauges under the center stack. A modern digital AM/FM radio tucks neatly into the dash and looks like it belongs there and all the interior courtesy lights are operational. The black convertible top stows easily behind the seats and the trunk is correctly outfitted with a reproduction mat and spatter-finish paint. And yes, Pontiac experts, the ‘soda shakers’ are still in place and doing their job.

The good stuff is under the hood, where you’ll find the original, numbers-matching YT-coded 400 cubic inch V8. It has just been completely rebuilt with more than $13,000 worth of receipts and build photos accompanying it, and it runs superbly. Hit the key and it fires almost instantly, idles down to about 700 RPM when it’s warm, and pulls with the kind of torque you’d expect from a big V8. With 335 horsepower on tap, this is still a formidable car, and thanks to a few upgrades like roller rockers, there might even be a few extra ponies on tap. It’s also correctly detailed in Pontiac Turquoise engine enamel, a proper louvered air cleaner, and factory chrome valve covers. Power steering and power brakes are part of the package, making this Firebird easy to handle and it’s just the right size even in today’s world. There’s also a fresh Optima battery, new water pump and radiator, correct hose clamps, and a lot of other little details that make it 100% ready to run.

The TH400 3-speed automatic transmission was the only one that could survive behind the 400, and it is indeed this car’s original, numbers-matching transmission. Out back, 3.23 gears in a GM 10-bolt rear end ensure that this is an easy-going cruiser, and with all that torque on tap it doesn’t need more gear than that. Check out the ultra-clean floors, new exhaust system with transverse muffler, replacement lines and hoses, and fresh shocks. Please take a look at the rocker panels, which still show their factory spot welds, suggesting that this has never been a rusty car. It isn’t detailed for show any longer, but it remains a very high-quality driver that has no unpleasant surprises for a new owner. Rally II wheels are the right choice on a Firebird, with these being upgraded 15-inch units which carry 235/60/15 performance radials that fill the fenders perfectly.

Documentation is extensive, including full PHS paperwork, restoration photos and receipts, magazines where the car has appeared on the cover, original manuals, sales materials, and more.

If this were a Camaro SS396 convertible, it would already be sold. Take advantage of Pontiac’s low-key reputation and get a great piece of muscle for a much more reasonable price. It’s fast, comfortable, and well documented, making it a lot of fun today and a safe buy for the future. Call today!

Harwood Motors always recommends and welcomes personal or professional inspections of any vehicle in our inventory prior to purchase.