Numbers Matching 1 of 697 400 Ram Air Cameo White Respray

1969 Pontiac Trans Am

The first generation Firebird (1967-1969) did not see too many changes for the first 2 years. It wasn't until 1969 that the world was introduced to the Pontiac Firebird Trans Am! Extra power isn't what made the Trans Am exceptional. It was the improved handling and unique looks that set it apart. It was created to partake in the SCCA's road racing series. This Trans Am was given a de-stroked 303-cubic-inch V8 that never made it into the production car. Pontiac came to an agreement with the Trans Am series to pay a $5 licensing fee for every Trans Am sold in order to use the name.

For consignment an original original. From 1969 when the handling was greatly improved, power was mighty, and things were at their “beak”. This car is very nicely preserved, with a respray within the last 5 years. Only a 2-owner car with both residing in the same town. Surprisingly only 697 (689 coupes and 8 convertibles) were sold the first year which was quite a slow start for what would eventually become an American icon. Plenty of attention to detail to keep everything right even down to the period correct tires…rock on…I mean read on!

Exterior
A special dual intake scooped hood, deck spoiler, fender vents and white with blue stripe paint scheme that make it the best-looking Firebird in this writer's opinion. Cameo white in a recent respray, is peppered with blue accents in the form of dual racing stripes, and rear panel. The front of the car has the body matching bumper, and a chrome “beak”, split in the center egg crate grille, emblazoned with the Pontiac arrowhead badge. Dual horizontal headlights with chromed quad split signal lights hanging below, complete the racy looking front. A dual scooped hood makes its way rearward and has the stripes. All paint on this car is excellent gaps are good, with a few areas of misalignment on the hood front bumper area but it is very slight. A chrome side view sport mirror is attached and a really nice Trans Am badged spoiler is adhered to the rear deck. 14-inch Rally 2 wheels with PMD badges on the hubs, and period correct F70-14 Goodyear poly glass tires are on all 4 corners.

Interior
A swing of the doors and we are greeted with blue vinyl tuck and roll patterned door panels. These remain in excellent condition with their original cranks and trim, as well as pristine pulls and armrests. With a look inside the passenger compartment we see all very nice patina original interior. This includes blue vinyl buckets with black headrests, and these are nearly perfect. A wood burl appliqué center console races from the rear to the dash, and houses a glovebox, and the bird emblem within the wood shift knob. A look to the original dash and we see dual deeply imbedded into an angled forward dash, gauges, and other essential gauges in rectangular format on the right side. Noted is the odometer with an original 83,979 miles! Original radio which works, and temp controls are in the center above the shift lever, and a blue metal sprayed glovebox fronts the passenger. A wood encircled steering wheel, perfect, fronts the dash. Blue carpet in good condition floods the floors, and the dark blue headliner is nice and tight. I cannot forget to mention the trunk, which is showroom, and barely a mark on it, complete with original spare.

Drivetrain
A flip of the dual intake cowled hood, and we are in a numbers matching 400 cubed, #62 cylinder head Ram Air 3 V8 time machine, all shined up and running like a Swiss watch. This is topped with a Rochester Quadra-jet 4-barrel carburetor, and a numbers matching TH400 3-speed automatic. In the very back, a 10-bolt 3.55 Safe-T-Track rear is attached. All this is numbers matching, great blue painted and shined with supple rubber hoses and belts. All this produces 335hp which for 1969 is a respectable amount. Nice job under the hood.

Undercarriage
Snazzy shiny sparkling black undercoating and black paint cover all rust-free surfaces. Dual exhaust snake their way rearward, and on the way bypass independent coil spring front suspension and leaf spring rear suspension. Also noted are power disc brakes in front, and power drum brakes on the rear. It also handles much better with its lowered suspension, big anti-sway bars, and larger tires. All buttoned up underneath and very sound structurally.

Drive-Ability
Our crack decoder and partner in information crime to this writer was absolutely drooling to drive this example, so I acquiesced. With stars in his eyes he fired it up, and took it for a great test ride, and upon returning just had a big smile on his face and stars in his eyes. This mental picture should sum up how this car drives, but I will say all excellent. His diaper did remain dry throughout!

A true original, with a perfect respray, period correct tires, and a fantastic runner. Low production numbers put this car as rare, and even better still numbers matching, nice patina original interior, and that chromed “beak” make this one a real special offering here at Classic Auto Mall. A fine example of good 'ol American Muscle complete with great handling thanks to the SCCA aspirations of the time.

VIN Decode
223379N104775
2-Pontiac
2-Firebird
337-2 Door Sport Coupe
9-1969
N-Norwood, OH Assy Plant
104775-Sequential Unit Number

Trim Tag
ST 69 22337-1969 Pontiac Firebird Coupe
BDY NOR 505483-Norwood Body #
TR 200-Blue
PNT 50-Cameo White
06A-1st Week June Build
D80-Rear Spoiler