Modified models: early power - Fitch Firebird 400 and Sprint (1967) (John Fitch was the first SCCA national champion driver. GM hired him to run a factory Corvette race team at Sebring in 56 and or 57. After that he started John Fitch & Co. in Falls Villiage CT, his big thing was making modified Corvairs called Sprints. They were availiable throught certain Chevy dealers, similiar to Yenko's. He also tweaked other cars such as a 67 Olds, some VW's. He later became involed in automotive safety barriers. Fitch knew John DeLorean who was running Pontiac in 1967, and DeLorean sent Fitch 1 400ci Firebird and 1 OHC 6 cylinder with a four barrel (Pontiac Sprint engine) to play around with as an engineering exercise. When he was done with the 2 cars they where brought back to Pontiac for the evaluation and also to Lime Rock race track in CT. The Fitch cars ran back to back tests with Pontiac engineering dept cars called PFST. At the end of the tests Fitch felt his car was better suited for everyday street driving while the Pontiac PFST wasn't real a street car, more of a race car. My understanding is Pontiac never backed the Fitch car program other than send Fitch the first 2 cars, and Fitch busy with his other projects at the time, never really marketed them other than a few magazine road tests. Fitch doesn't remember how many cars he made in the end, it seem to be around 6-8 cars, all 400ci engines except the 1 OHC Sprint. The Sprint car had factory options of rally gages, console, tilt, wood wheel, deluxe interior, 4 speed, am/fm, hood tach, rally wheels, tinted glass, power disc brakes, and radial tires (actual option on Firebirds in 67). For Fitch mods there's Koni Front shocks, Lucas Flame thrower driving light, mesh in front of the light/grill, adjusted caster, rubber bumpers on the shaft of the front shocks (to change spring rate), re-valved steering and brakes, headlight flasher switch, one time wiper switch, light monitoring panel, leather steering wheel cover, Judson coil, dual exhaust, and the fins an the quater panels (they were to cooling the brakes and let air into the interior but never developed). Also for the 6 cylinder car Fitch want to supercharge it, but never actually developed it. A fitch opted car would sell for about $1000 more than the sticker price on a car. Fiberglass fins are designed to scoop air into interior of car for fresh air supply with all windows closed. Fins also provide easy identification of Fitch-Bird, as opposed to standard Firebird, and were definitely eye-catching. The Fitch-Birds were distinguishable from standard by a wire mesh grille and headlight cover at the front, and Butress-Back tops, trademarks that have distinguished Fitch's recent design efforts. On the test car, the built-in air vents in the Buttresses were non-functional. Fitch estimates cost of the Fitch Firebirds, complete with modifications, at approximately $1000 above the price of a well-equipped standard Firebird Sprint or Firebird 400, depending upon model desired.)
- Pontiac Firebird Sprint Turismo (PFST) (1967) (The PFST cars were tested with the Fitch Firebird. The PFST exhibited much less lean through test curves than the Fitch-modified Firebird 400. PFST is aimed at SCCA sedan racing class. While shy on power, compared with other sedan racers with 300-cid V-8 engines, the 6-cyl. PFST is a match for anything in handling. More efficient antiroll bar, wide rims, and racing tires gave PFST tremendous cornering power, yet breakaway was controllable. Fitch car handled in acceptable fashion, with roll more apparent from outside than while driving. The PFST uses a 230-cid 1967 Firebird Sprint basic engine because it has a greater rpm potential than the longer-stroke 250-cid 1968 engine. A high-performance camshaft, recalibrated carburetor (single four-barrel) and distributor, and fabricated dual exhaust system, increase output approximately 50 bhp. The PFST engine is a bit weak at low speed, but turns on above 4000 rpm. From 4000 to 6000 rpm, the PFST sounds like a real race car, and moves down the road at a rate surprising to those accustomed to big V-8 power. The cylinder head rework performed on the standard Sprint head obviously is effective. As impressive as the engine modifications were, it was the suspension that was the eye opener. PFST became almost free from body roll even in rapid transient conditions. Steering response of the car, which has a faster-than-stock steering ratio, is excellent. The PFST carried 15x8.5-in. wheels and 10-in. wide Firestone road racing tires. The PFST could probably be raced with success by a reasonably competent race driver without danger or difficulty. In short, it's an enjoyable club racer, good enough to win some local track trophies.)
- Royal Pontiac "Bobcat" Firebird (various sub-models) (1967-1970) (Royal Pontiac was a dealership located in Royal Oak, Michigan. Founded by dragracer Ace Wilson, Royal Pontiac began making modifications to Pontiacs back in 1959, and selling these cars to customers. The Royal Bobcat "kit" could be ordered through the mail by any enthusiast. It consisted of a large box containing thinner head gaskets, blocked heat riser intake gaskets, distributor recurve kit, larger jets for the carb(s), rocker arm locknuts, colder spark plugs (Champion J10Y), and the necessary gaskets (valve cover, valley pan) to perform the modification. It also included Royal Racing Team club decals, Royal Bobcat body stickers, a "GR-RRR" lisence plate, and "Royal Pontiac" license plate frames. This was a very popular kit in the mid to late 60's. The kit could also be installed by Royal, and for these they went a little further by also blueprinting, cc'ing, and milling the cylinder heads. In addition to Firebirds, the "Royal Bobcat" package was also available for the Catalina, Grand Prix, and GTO.)
- Lane "American Eagle" Firebird (1967) (No substantial documentation is currently known of the existence of this dealer modification package, but here is the information that was provided to FirebirdGallery by a previous owner of one of these cars. Lane Buick Pontiac Olds in Fairfield, California decided to build a limited number (14 according to the source) of special '67 Firebirds with what they called the "American Eagle" package. The dealership started with either a Polar White or Montego Cream Firebird. Each came with a custom interior coded either red, black, or blue. Next the following modifications were applied: 1) A lucerne blue stripe was added running the length of the middle of the car. 2) The air cleaner, riser, valley pan, and master cylinder cover were chromed. 3) The A.I.R. pump and alternator were polished aluminum. 4) A heavy duty radiator and dual exhaust were added. 5) All emblems were inset with red paint, and the slits on the quarters received the same treatment. These cars were rated at 260hp. They were equipped with the 326 2bbl V8 and contained the same crank and cam as the 326 HO. They were also outfitted with consoles, floor shifters, power steering, Rally IIs, full rally gauges, and manual drum brakes.)
- Myrtl Motors "Tiger" Firebird (1968) (various sub-models) (Myrtl Motors Corp. was located at 61-20 Fresh Pond Rd., Maspeth, NY. Myrtle Motors was also in the business of "tweaking" Pontiacs for customer enjoyment, just like Royal Pontiac. Although they never garnered the attention Royal Pontiac did, Myrtle Motors built some very stout cars. The mods performed by Myrtle Motors to the 428 powered Firebird were almost identical to the famous Royal Bobcat package. The cost ranged from $2,781.00 to $5,149.74. Myrtl also modified GTOs.)
- Canadian "Comanche" Firebird (1969) (Promoted as "a true North American Grand Touring car", it was sold exclusively in Montreal at Grant Hamilton Pontiac Buick, in Toronto at City Buick Pontiac-GMC, and in Ottawa at Surgenor Motors. The "Comanche" Firebird was only available at 3 dealerships in Quebec, Canada as listed in the brochure on the left. The dealers ordered a loaded Firebird from the factory, each with a gold leather interior (the only color available in leather). They were then re-painted a non-Firebird gold color with white accents. It is estimated that only about 30 of these were converted for sale to the public, and rumor has it Paul Newman may have bought one when he was filming in Montreal. Included options: Vinyl roof with special emblems, Marchal fog lamps, High speed driving lights with quartz bulbs, Special chrome hood louvers, Turbo Hydramatic or 4-speed close ration (either included a console), Variable ration power steering, Front power disc brakes, Remote trunk release, Radio, Door guards, Mirror group (vanity mirror and remote control mirror) Custom seat belts, Rally mag wheels, Special sport tilt steering wheel, Bucket seats (with the full leather interior), Rally Gauges with clock or tach, Floor mats (front and rear), Koni adjustable shocks, Special tire pump, Heavy duty air cleaner, Heavy duty radiator, Pirelli tires with special suspension, Power top (convertibles only), Rear defogger.)
- Bales "Boss Bird" Trans Am (1971) (The stunning "Boss Bird" Trans Am is a '71 model that was created by Dane Bales, Jr. It features a lowered suspension, SCCA road race style wheels, subframe connectors, worked SD 455 Pontiac engine, Doug Nash 4+1 manual transmission, Race style seats, Fiberglass Hood, Front-Fenders, and Doors, factory styled paint & graphics.)
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