1969 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am Tribute

Description

A fair warning: I don't have nearly enough space to tell you all the incredible details of this spectacular 1969 Pontiac Firebird convertible. Treated to a full Pro-Touring makeover that includes big block power, a 5-speed gearbox, 4-wheel disc brakes, upgraded suspension, and a spectacular interior, it's perhaps the most amazing vehicle we've ever had in our Dallas showroom (750 cars and counting).

Perhaps this car's most striking feature is how it looks. Not that it's radical, but rather that something so radical can also be so subtle. The icy blue paint doesn't have stripes or graphics, but the finish quality is simply spectacular and worthy of a car at this level. However, it's only when you get close to it that you realize this is far, far more than just a Firebird with some flashy wheels. You'll note that the door handles have been shaved, which is a classic hot-rodding trick that works as well here as it does on a '34 Ford. The Ram Air hood has been skillfully modified to clear the towering big block engine underneath, a trick so seamless that you probably wouldn't have noticed without me telling you about it. The rest is simply beautifully finished to an extremely high level, with laser-straight bodywork, gaps that you can calibrate instruments by, and paint that's almost impossibly shiny. The real trick is how they managed to restrain themselves from making this a rolling billboard for high-performance and get it so right in every way. Take your time with the photos, it's worth it.

The interior got a fairly comprehensive makeover as well, starting with a pair of white leather Cobra Racing buckets and 5-point harnesses. They'll hold you in place no matter what you're doing. The rest of the interior is pretty much stock Firebird, all beautifully restored and finished. The wood-rimmed wheel is a little fatter than stock but really warms things up and the stock instruments have been restored and calibrated to work with the new engine. A custom center console is both comfortable and practical, and you'll note that the Hurst cue ball shifter shows five forward gears instead of four, but we'll get to that in a moment. There's also a top-flight stereo system based on a JVC AM/FM/CD stereo head unit with HD radio, and it powers a quartet of 6x9 Polk Audio speakers and an 8-inch Blaupunkt subwoofer, so it sounds amazing. The trunk is finished with carpet and a remote-mounted Optima and a white convertible top seals everything up.

Power comes from a GM ZZ502 crate engine which features four-bolt mains, a forged crank, a full roller camshaft, and polished aluminum heads to make 502 horsepower and 565 pounds of torque. A fully polished intake manifold, chrome valve covers, and clean routing of hoses and wires makes the engine bay show quality in every way, and thanks to the wonders of electronic fuel injection, it starts, runs, and idles like a production car. A Tremec TKO600 5-speed manual transmission easily harnesses the horsepower without a whimper and feeds it to a stout 12-bolt full of 3.73 gears on an Auburn limited slip, so you know it isn't going to break. The suspension is augmented with Hotchkiss components, Bilstein shocks, and a Unisteer power rack-and-pinion steering setup, as well as oversized SSBC disc brakes at all four corners. A gorgeous custom exhaust system tucks the pipes and mufflers up high for great ground clearance despite the lowered ride height. Finally, a set of 18-inch Dale Earnhardt Jr. wheels were fitted with staggered 225/45/18 front and 275/40/18 rear performance radials to keep it stuck to the ground.

Like I said, there's just not enough room to cover all the awesomeness that is this Firebird. If you're big enough to want to play with the best, give us a call for all the spectacular details. Call today!