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Car Of The Day: October 1, 2010; Johnny Lightning '69 Pontiac Firebird Convertible
Topic Started: Oct 1 2010, 01:00 AM (391 Views)
Swifty
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The Mustang II is a Mustang too!
Posted Image

Todays car of the day comes from Firehawk73's collection and is Johnny Lightning's 1969 Pontiac Firebird Convertible.

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HowStuffWorks
 
After less than two years on the market, Firebirds, including the 1969 Pontiac Firebird Sprint Convertible, enjoyed a facelift. Overall length grew 2.3 inches, width by an inch. Wheel openings were flatter, and windsplits decorated bodyside panels and front fenders.

Change was most evident in the Endura plastic front end (doubling as a bumper), where the split grille was narrower and the quad headlamps sat in seperate compartments. Slim, fluted taillamps continued, but in a revised rear panel. Overall, the car had a heavier look, adopting some of the GTO's character.

Base engine was again 175 horsepower 250-cid overhead cam six. Sprints got a more potent 230 horsepower edition, breathing through four barrels instead of a single throat carburetor.

For $121, Sprints also included racing stripes and sport suspension. Contemporary testers found the Sprint delightfully responsive on the open road, especially with four speed.


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Quote:
 
Base V-8 was the 350, delivering 265 bhp on regular fuel. The 350 HO earned a few modifications (new heads, higher-lift cam) and came with a heavy-duty three speed and dual exhausts. Ordering the 350 HO no longer brought side stripes.

Next step: the muscular 330 horsepower 400, including hood scoops, special handling suspension, and chrome engine dress-up componets. The 400 HO engine was gone, but two Ram Air versions could be ordered. With its high-output cam and oversize valves, the Ram Air IV could deliver quater-mile times near 14 seconds.

Interiors displayed fresh instrument-panel facing and a new steering wheel. Options included Rally II wheels and, for the first time, all-leather bucket seats. Shoulder belts were standard in coupes; bench seat were optional, though rarely installed. Close to one -fourth of Firebirds halted with front disc brakes.


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james_autos
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Minivan
Your new avatar is really cool, but can't you slow it down a bit?
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Swifty
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The Mustang II is a Mustang too!
I slowed it down by half. Is this better?
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Dean-o-mite
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Muscle Car
Swifty
Oct 1 2010, 10:12 AM
I slowed it down by half. Is this better?
I had the same thought as James and even laughed as I read his message....then I saw yours and realized I was already seeing the slowed-down version. Its still hard to take the images in at the speed its going. One can really only look at one car per flash as it is. I love the idea!! Awesome

Dean
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Swifty
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The Mustang II is a Mustang too!
I slowed it down again. And I've taken the liberty of adding the individual pictures to Photobucket. I've made a seperate post with the images for anyone who wants to examine my handiwork:

http://swiftysgarage.net/topic/6734625/1/

Thanks for all the interest in my signature. :) I'd also like to take a minute to say what a nice Firebird this is!
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accobra64
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Minivan
Thanks Swifty for doing this feature.
I have a couple of the JL 1970 Pontiac Firebird convertibles including one just like the one featured here.
I have never been able to exactly pinpoint a specific reason but something just doesn't seem right about this casting. Is it too wide in proportion to the length?
Other opinions would be greatly appreciated.

Cheers. Cobra
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Swifty
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The Mustang II is a Mustang too!
I think it has something to do with the front fascia- no one seems to be able to do a good first generation Firebird. JL's versions are bad, and Hot Wheels' '69 is even worse (their '67, however, is pretty good). And yes, a lot seem to be to short and fat.
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accobra64
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Minivan
Swifty, I don't have any problems with the 1967-68 JL Firebird castings.
I have always liked that one.
I think that you may be right about the front fascia on this casting.
But again, this has never been one of my favourite real Firebird automobiles.

Cheers. Cobra
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