| Q: |
1964 Pontiac Banshee
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How does the Banshee play into the history for the Firebird.
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| A: |
If I remember correctly, the 3rd generation Corvette was already
on the drawing boards, and the Banshee borrowed styling cues from
that car. A couple of things that distinquished the Banshee from
the Corvette was that the Banshee used a solid rear axle (to keep
costs down, and make the car more affordable than the Corvette),
and a unique clamshell door design. This was John Delorean's pet
project, and he really wanted it in production.
Two functional cars were produced (built by an outside coach builder). One was a 6 cylinder engine, the other had a V8. One was a hardtop, the other a roadster.
There was even a 4 passenger version that was proposed.
This was John Delorean's pet project, and he really wanted it in production. But GM wasn't interested in erroding the Corvette's marketshare, and the top dogs nixed the project. Delorean was handed the Camaro to build a Pontiac version as a consolation prize. This was also to be called the Banshee.
He wasn't too happy about it all, but he lost the power struggle and gave in. By the time he relented, the Camaro was well under devel- opement, and his engineers had little time to make the Banshee distinquishable from the Camaro. Something less than 12 months. As it was, the car didn't get to showrooms until Feb. 67. But they did suceed in creating a car that was much more than a copy of a Camaro. It's styling and drivetrain differences made for a classic design that is timeless.
Sometime during all of this, someone looked up the word Banshee
and found that one definition was that of a mythical demon-like
figure who foretold of a death in the family. Banshee was
dropped in favor of another Pontiac concept car dating back to
the 50s, the Firebird. I've seen photos of prototypes bearing
GM-X nameplates as well.
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| Q: |
Important Dates
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What are some of the important production dates.
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| A: |
I've never seen any official Start/End Dates for '67-'69 Firebird Production. Yet another thing the Billing History Files could provide... yeah, I know- this is all trivial stuff that really isn't going to make a whole lot of difference to most people ...however, it would be nice to know when the 1st '67 Firebird rolled off the line, when the last rolled off, etc, etc...
What I'm aware of....
| 12/66-2nd wk |
1st Firebird Produced |
| Feb. 23 '67 |
Firebird Debut at Chicago AutoShow |
| Jun-Jul '67 |
Production period for '67 Ram Air Firebird |
| 8/67-5th wk |
Earliest known produced '68 Firebird (in Registry) |
| 10/67-2nd wk |
Earliest known produced '68 Firebird RA I |
| Aug67-May68 |
Production period for '68 Ram Air I Firebird/GTO |
| January '68 |
Use of Fiberglass Belted Tires begins on Firebird |
| March 4 '68 |
Van Nuys, CA Plant begins building Firebirds |
| 3/68-4th wk |
Earliest '68 Van Nuys Firebird (in Registry) |
| May 14 '68 |
Aprox. date last '68 RA I Firebird produced |
| May 20 '68 |
Ram Air II engine becomes available for Firebird/GTO |
| May 21 '68 |
First Ram Air II Firebird (and GTO) produced |
| June 6 '68 |
Leather Option becomes available on Firebird |
| July 7 '68 |
Latest Invoice for Van Nuys '68 Firebird (in Registry) |
| July 29 '68 |
1968 Engine Production Log Report Released |
| Aug. 6 '68 |
Invoice date for last '68 RA II Firebird |
| 8/68-2nd wk |
Latest Build Date for '68 Firebird (in Registry) |
| March '69 |
Trans Am Option became available |
| 1969 |
Norwood, OH Plant added for F-Body Production |
| Feb 26 '70 |
2nd Generation (1970) Firebird Debuts in Chicago |
As always, comments and corrections are welcome....
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| Q: |
Mid-Year Changes for 68
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What were some of the mid-year changes that occurred for the '68.
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OK heres some of the items I have found over the last 30 yrs for 68s. Not
completely in order.
- Tall hood tachs (used up 67 ones).
- 2 bulb front side marker (went away around SEPT).
- Glove box bird (used up 67s).
- 'BIRD' emblem was discontinued from std. interior glove box doors and possibly from custom.
- Knit weave vinyl inserts in the Custom option seats (contrary to myth that only early converts got the all madrid grain inserts, early hdtps did too.)
- Fuel gauge on standard gauge cars added 1/8 tank increments.i.e. 1/8,1/4,3/8,1/2 etc.
- OSRV mirror change to the ugly rectangular style.
- Bird glass ....no one can pin this one down as I've had every possible combo get these don't think it was a late model addition or early model deletion.
- 2 different lower style hood tach, along with RPM changes the face changed also. Both V-8s and OHC-6 were affected
- Addition of the trunk release as an option.
- Additional colors added to the lineup, called "Spring colors" (April)
- Everyone knows this one, RAII was substituted for RAI.
I'm sure I've forgot some, I will update as I remember. I will get into mechanical changes later. i.e. heard late 68s came with variable ratio PS. Got 2 cars built 5th week July thats got reg.PS so show me.
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| A: |
Thanks for your list of '68 Firebird Model Year Changes...
Here are a few more:
- Fuel Filler Door Emblem (Early w/Finger Lift, Later Flat)
- Seat Belts (Early using Metal Buckles on even Std.Inter.cars)
- 4Bbl Intake Manifold (9790140 early....9794234 mid-year)
- 4Bbl Throttle Brkt. (9792242 early....9797415 mid-year)
- Pwr LH Bucket Seat (Mid-Year Option)
- Variable Ratio Power Steering (Mid-Year Option. in addition to P.S. ?)
- Rally I's deleted from option list mid-year due to Tire Size Change
- Leather Seat Trim Option after June.. Custom Interior Only
- Switched from black washer fluid jar to a white jar
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| A: |
- Outside Mirror (Round/Rectangular)
- 4Bbl Intake Manifold
- 4Bbl Throttle Cable Bracket
- Hood Tach
- Seat Belts
- GloveBox Emblem
- Etched 'Bird' on Front Side Glass
- Ram Air I and Ram Air II engine
- H.O. & Ram Air Exhaust Manifolds
- Power Seat
- Leather Interior
- Variable Ratio Power Steering
- Fiberglass Belted Tires
- VIN started being stamped on engine blocks
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| Q: |
'68 Mid-Year Changes
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What were some of the mid-year changes for the '68 Firebird?
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| A: |
Your question is one that has puzzled many of us over the years.
One of the projects we've been working on with all the Registry
dat has been to try and establish the Production Part Variations
and Mid-Year (V-2) Production Changes.
- Dash Grab Handle (Assist Bar)- Color-Keyed
Included with (and exclusive to) the Custom Trim Option.
- 160mph Speedo
Standard on all '68 Firebirds
- Headliner Side Trim Moldings- Coupe
Not entirely positive here but I believe what you refer
to are the stainless trim moldings; possible unique
to the Custom Trim Option. Standard would have
been color-keyed or black moldings.
- 4-Speed
Optional on all models; avail. as a Wide or Close Ratio.
Close Ratio was mandatory option w/3.90 axle.
- Deluxe Interior- Custom Trim Option (Sales Code 554)
Available on all models.
Included: Woven-Vinyl Seats, Molded Door/Qtr Trim,
Deluxe Strg. Wheel, Pedal Trim, Dash Assist Handle,
Wheel Opening Moldings, Deluxe Whl Covers, Dual Horns,
Roof Rail Moldings, Interior Pillar/Headliner Moldings and
Glove Box "Bird" emblem.
NOTE: Some early cars w/this option came with Molded Grain
Knit-weave Vinyl Seat Trim; 2nd type was Knited Vinyl Fabric.
This appears to have only applied to a few colors.
Also, the Window Regulators (manual) were different between
Standard & Custom Trim due to length of Glass-Crank Mechanism
(the splined rod the crank-handle attaches to).
- Glove Box Door "Bird" Emblem
Standard on all '67 Firebirds; included with the
Custom Trim Option in '68. Also found on some
early production Standard Trim Firebirds. Some late
production Firebirds with Custom Trim do not have this
"Bird" emblem.
- Custom (Deluxe) Seat Belts
Separate Option available on all models.
Not included with the Custom Trim Option.
Inconsistent Usage. Research has found some
documented Firebirds with the Custom Belts
(brushed-metal Latches) yet w/o the Custom
Belt Option listed on the invoice. Speculate that
this was either a production-glitch or an early-
production pkg related to the "Bird" glass.
- Custom Pedal Trim
This was included with the Custom Trim Option
and also available on all models separately. Also
noted in Sales Literature that this trim was Std.
on all V-8 models.
- "Bird" Glass (Front-Side)
A White "etched" (silk-screened) "Bird" image was
applied to the Front Side Glass of some early production
Firebirds. No mention of this was made in any Factory or
Dealer Literature or Parts Catalog. Extensive research
has not revealed the criteria for which cars received this
unique Glass. Many have speculated but evidence has
shown this was not exclusive to: Custom Trim, "400",
Air Conditioning, Conv., PW, etc. "Bird" Glass has been found
on documented cars w/Build Dates as late as 3/68.
- Burlwood Console & Dash Trim.
Standard on all '68 Firebirds
- Hood Tach
Early Production Firebirds used the 1st Type
which was a Tall-Style Housing, Single Bulb.
The 2nd Type came into production when supplies
of the 1st Type were exhausted (around Dec/Jan)
There were also variations on the face design/colors.
- Radiator Support Filler Panels (R/L)
These were included with the "400" option and
all Air-Conditioned cars. Also included a lower
valance panel behind the front valance.
- Rally Gauges
Included a unique Wiring Harness (Dash, Engine, Lamp)
Fuse Box and Sending Units. Also, Speedo was unique.
This has been previously discussed on The List.
I believe there is a Web Site that explains what is
required to modify wiring for those adding Rally Gauges.
As with the Tach & Clock, all '68 instrumentation had
a Steel-Blue Face (background).
As always, the above information is subject to correction, revision
and constructive criticism. I openly welcome all.
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| A: |
As for the running production changes, these should not include option
availability. I would say to make a separate list of options so as not to
confuse the issue.
I would like to add the following to available options in later part of year.
- RA option changed from RA I to RA II ( no choice of either)
- Tire inflator for V-8s only
- decklid release
- spare tire lock
- Special spring colors
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| Q: |
Mid-Year Changes for 69
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What were some of the mid-year changes that occurred for the '69.
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| A: |
Not complete or in order but instead a start to a growing list. Know of anymore, let us know.
- Gas Tank Venting changed from cap venting to vent tube.
- Wire wheel covers discontinued mid year '69
- Head restraints became standard later in the year
- Power-Flo Ventilation
Keep them coming.
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| A: |
Production was extended but the exact date is not known. In the registry, the latest built '69 Firebird (Norwood) has a build date of September, 3rd week, 1969. I don't have the exact date when production stopped at all (3) plants.
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| Q: |
'69 Power-Flo Ventilation
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What is "Power flow"-pardon my ignorance. |
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| A: |
Power-Flo Ventilation (that's how it was spelled in the brochures) was an option available in 69 and 70 Pontiacs and Buicks, Firebird was 69 only. It was offered on non-AC cars, was about $15 and change, and was 2 blower assemblies mounted up in the cowl area which when turned on would blow air through the upper vents. The rocker switch in the Pontiacs was different than the Buicks, and looked like the ones used for power antenna, power top, rear defogger, reverb (big cars) and tailgate windows (wagons). The switch had AIR imprinted in the center, and HIGH and LOW imprinted on the ends of it. It was available factory or dealer installed, the dealer accesory kit could be purchased over the counter. It seems to have landed in a couple cars, since there were cars in which AC was NOT available, (Ram Air IV and Sprint) those are the most likely candidates. The only car I ever saw it in was a Palladium Silver 69 GTO convertible with the Ram Air IV engine, and it was not functioning. I own a NOS kit for 70 A and G bodies, a used set from I was told a 69 Catalina, and 3 more pairs of blower assemblies that resemble the NOS kit. Nothing I have fits the Firebird straight up.
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