The First-Ever Pontiac Firebird Is Scheduled for Auction

The first of the 1967 Pontiac Firebird convertible is set to auction at Mecum Auctions between January 7-16 in Kissimmee, Florida.

The American classic was recently restored to stock condition as a part of the private collection of Richard Rawlings, founder of Dallas-based restoration shop, Gas Monkey Garage and star of Discovery Channel‘s Fast N’ Loud. The Serial Number 001 Pontiac Firebird wears a new coat of Regimental Red paint, matching red interior throughout, and a traditional black convertible top. The model maintains the same L30 326-cubic-inch V8 engine it left the factory with and is fitted with a 2-barrel Rochester carburetor at 250 horsepower.

The first edition Pontiac Firebird features 80,380 “believed-original” miles and comes with the factory build sheet and documentation for proof. Though this may be the first-ever produced Firebird, its history pre-dates this current model. In April 2020, one of two 1964 Pontiac Banshee prototypes was listed for $750,000 USD. The Banshee was the sports car Pontiac considered producing prior to the Firebird. However, General Motors pulled the plug on the project making the Firebird the classic Pontiac sports car model.

Rawlings is also putting up the 1967 Pontiac Firebird 002 (second-ever produced) for auction. Different from the first Firebird, the second is a hardtop coupe finished with a Silverglaze metallic paint, including black race stripes along the side to match the black vinyl roof and interior. Restored and built to be more performance-focused, this version has an L76 High Output version of the V8 engine, including a four-barrel carburetor and an original four-speed manual transmission. The Pontiac Firebird enjoyed a 35-year production run before its discontinuation in 2002. This Pontiac Firebird is expected to fetch anywhere from $175,000 to $225,000 USD at the January 2021 auction.

In other car news, RM Sotheby’s is offering a rare 1961 Jaguar E-Type Roadster.