Pontiac Firebird Sprint
The Firebird is one of the most popular, well-known Pontiac nameplates ever. From 1967 to 2002 it was the muscle car edge of the company. However, there is one Firebird the automotive public forgot about, lost in the corridors of time all these years. That is the 1967 to 1969 Pontiac Firebird Sprint. Pontiac presented the Firebird in 1967 as the answer to the Ford Mustang and the Chevrolet Camaro. Since it was the height of the muscle car era, the public paid attention to the high-powered V8 models. However, Pontiac managed to sneak an interesting model into its lineup. The secret of the Firebird Sprint was the engine. It was a 250 CID straight-six with a single overhead camshaft. It produced 215 HP in the 1967-68 model years and 230 HP in 1969.
Pontiac Firebird Sprint
Compared to the 350 and 400 CID V8, this was not impressive. But the Sprint six had serious torque, low weight, and revved happily to 6,000 rpm. Compared to nose-heavy V8-powered models, the Sprint was light, which provided balanced handling and great driving dynamics. In the days of V8 monsters, a six-cylinder Firebird had an almost European feel. Unfortunately, not many people understood this model. Despite the modest price and unique characteristics, they only sold a few thousand in the three-year production run. Today, the Firebird Sprint is a rare sight in the six-cylinder muscle car category.
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Firebird. Decorative lacquer panel by V. Polyanina (Kholui art painting, USSR 1980s).
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1967 Pontiac Firebird Convertible
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The SD-455 engine was originally earmarked for the 1973 Formula, Trans Am, LeMans, GTO, Grand Am, and Grand Prix. As the model year began, hundreds of orders were taken for SD-455 equipped cars, but due to delays certifying the engine for emissions, by March 1973 not a single SD-455 order had been filled. Pontiac thought about simply killing the project entirely and taking the loss, but enthusiastic engineers and marketeers suggested that since SD-455 engines had been built, it was more cost effective to sell them instead of scrapping them.
By February 1973 there were 673 outstanding orders (483 by customers) for SD-455 equipped cars. Pontiac conducted a survey to determine the status of the orders :
• About 50% of the customers stated the reason they ordered their Pontiac in the first place was for the SD-455 engine.
• 198 customers were still waiting for their order to be filled.
• 145 customers bought the same model, but with a lesser engine (almost all opted for the 455).
• 52 customers bought another car (21 were Pontiacs)
• 78 customers cancelled their order
• others did not reply
With a limited supply of engines, in March 1973 Pontiac announced the cancellation of the SD-455 for all models except Formula and Trans Am. By year end, 43 Formulas and 252 Trans Ams received the SD-455, and there was one 1973 Grand Am SD-455 built as a pilot car.
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