Vehicle

The Firebird developed its own exuberant tradition that made it the glamour car of the 1970s and snuck in a few surprises during the ’80s and ’90s that are recognized today as classics of recent vintage.

To get the Firebird into production, Pontiac shared not just the basic structure of the Camaro, but most of the sheetmetal, as well. The front fenders and door skins of the 1967 Firebird were Camaro pieces, and the rear quarters were Camaro parts with simulated vents stamped in. But with its split front grille, beaked hood and slitted GTO-like taillights, the Firebird managed to evoke its own personality when it went on sale as both a coupe and convertible on February 23, 1967.

What gave the first Firebird its personality was beneath the hood. Pontiac built its own engines then (as did Buick, Oldsmobile, Cadillac and Chevrolet), and only Pontiac engines went into the Firebird — not a one was shared with the Camaro.

For 1968, the Firebird’s appearance barely changed. As with the Camaro, the side vent windows disappeared as “Astro Ventilation” was adopted, but otherwise the most obvious change was the adoption of wraparound turn signals beneath the front bumper.

The only other significant change to the ’68 Firebird was the adoption of staggered shocks in the rear (one in front of and one behind the rear axle) and the use of new multi-leaf rear springs.

Read more about Firebirds at: http://www.edmunds.com/pontiac/firebird/history.html