Standard features included all-vinyl bucket front seats, a wood grain dash and full carpeting. The base MSRP for these cars in 1969 was $2,831. Of the total production, 76,051 were hardtop models. The number still represents a very strong showing by Pontiac as it prepared to roll out the second-generation Firebirds. While total production was down over the previous year to 87,708, this only represented a drop of about 18 percent. Lastly, the 400 Ram Air SD topped them all at 345 horsepower. Ram Air upped that to 335 and was standard in the Trans Am. The first produced 330 horsepower, while the 400 H.O. There were three models of Pontiac’s 400 CID V8. This could be upgraded to a 4-barrel version of the same engine that produced a solid (for a six-cylinder at the time) 230 horsepower.Īs the buyer moved up into the V8 options, there were two versions of a 350 CID engine, a 2-barrel that produced 255 horsepower and a 4-barrel that produced 325 horsepower. The base cars came with a 250 CID six-cylinder engine that produced 175 horsepower. It also was distinguished by its larger tires.Įlsewhere in the line, engine options were nearly identical to the 1968 models. The car featured a special scooped hood, a deck spoiler, fender vents and, that year, a white with blue stripe paint scheme, exclusively. The packages weren’t more powerful than other available Firebirds, but the looks and the handling of the Trans Am set them apart from the others. Though only around 700 Trans Ams were sold, they represented a preview of what was to come for the Firebird. Otherwise, the car shared many features with the 1968 models.īut the big news was the new Trans Am package, a name that would stick with the Firebird for decades to come. The broader fenders and wider look gave the car a more muscular look. This also helped distinguish the Firebird from the similar looking Camaro. The most striking change to the Firebird occurred at the front of the car with the fact that the headlights were now separated from the grille and the use of a new bumper. But both cars were still selling relatively well, so the move paid off for GM. Both the Firebird and its General Motors cousin the Camaro did a rare thing in 1969 and underwent significant restyles even though a full restyle was coming the following year.
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