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The first Firebird was made at Lordstown, Ohio, in
early January 1967.
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Pontiac offered both a coupe and a convertible on
February 23, 1967.
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The basic structure of the 1967 Firebird was based on
the Camaro.
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The sheet metal of the front fenders, door skins, and
rear quarters were borrowed from the Camaro.
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Pontiac added the split front grille, a beaked hood,
and taillights patterned after the GTO.
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External features included
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sculptured body styling
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twin grilles of a bumper-integral design
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front vent windows
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three vertical air slots on the leading edge of
the rear body panels
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Although the frame and shell was borrowed from the
Camaro, the engines were built by Pontiac.
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It may be thought that European and Japanese cars
favored the overhead cam engine while American cars
favored pushrod overhead valve engines.
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However, Pontiac fielded an overhead cam (OHC) inline
six cylinder engine with 230 cubic inch displacement
(cid) (3.8-liter) producing 165 horsepower (gross
rating) fueled through a one-barrel carburetor.
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The OHC engine could be beefed up with a four-barrel
carburetor and an increased compression ratio (from
9:1 to 10.5:1) and thus produce 215 hp.
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The six cylinder engine could be mated to one of
three transmission options:
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Three-speed manual
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Four-speed manual
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Two-speed Powerglide automatic
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Because the horsepower pony race was on, many buyers
chose the V8 engine to compete with Mustang and
Camaro.
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Again there were four V8 engine options:
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250-hp two-barrel 326 cid
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285-hp four-barrel 326 cid
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325-hp four-barrel 400 cid
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335-hp ram air four-barrel 400 cid
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Four transmission options were available:
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Three-speed manual
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Four-speed manual
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Two-speed Powerglide automatic
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Three-speed Turbo-hydramatic automatic
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Bucket seats were standard.
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Two body styles (coupe and convertible) were offered
and came with any of the Tempest or GTO power trains.
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However, the two body styles were marketed in five
"model-options" created by adding regular production
options (RPOs) in specific combinations.
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Production records were not kept according to the RPO
packages, but by the number of sixes and V-8s built
with standard or deluxe appointments.
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The model-option such as Sprint, H.O., and 400 are
described in the optional equipment section below.
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