It’s easy to think of the Firebird as being Pontiac’s version of the Camaro, but John DeLorean engineered it to be more distinct. The later introduction of the Firebird gave Pontiac engineers time to give the suspension a different calibration including a rear trailing link or two depending on the team member—yes, the Firebird was not just a model, but was a team of five magnificent models with different purposes. Perhaps the most obscure of those is our Pick of the Day, a 1968 Pontiac Firebird HO coupe. It is listed for sale on ClassicCars.com by a dealership in Webster, South Dakota.
When the “Magnificent Five” debuted early in 1967, Pontiac had created a team of pony cars with different purposes:
- Firebird 6
- Firebird Sprint
- Firebird 326
- Firebird HO
- Firebird 400
The first came with an OHC-6 and a single-barrel carburetor, but a performance version called the Sprint came with a four-barrel and was capable of outperforming small V8s like the Firebird 326, which had a two-barrel V8. The Firebird 400 was the high-performance version, akin to a GTO pony car. Where did that leave the Firebird HO? Pontiac called it its “light heavyweight” thanks to a high-output 326 four-barrel with 285 horsepower. Aside of a standard three-speed on the column (with floor-mounted three-speed, four-speed, and automatic as options), it received a side stripe with “H.O.” on the front fender.
For 1968, the Magnificent Five continued, but Pontiac increased the base V8 to 350ci. For the Firebird HO, that meant a nice bump to 320 horsepower. Styling was marginally tweaked (the parking lights, side markers, and lack of vent windows were the biggest tell-tale), while equipment was similar otherwise. The HO continued into 1969, including a five-horsepower bump though the Firebird’s restyle also resulted in the elimination of the H.O. stripe. Throughout all this, the Firebird HO was always the rarest model of the five.
This Solar Red 1968 Pontiac Firebird HO coupe has the 320-horsepower 350 backed by a two-speed automatic. Little is given by the description, but I spy a white vinyl top, Rally II wheels, console, and AM/FM radio. There is no gauge package, but you can keep track of revs with the hood tach.
The Firebird HO is a sleeper Pontiac in the collector world. One magazine back in the day had a tuned Tempest with the same engine and it was beating Plymouth Road Runners. For $39,875, would you be interested in how you can do the same?
Click here to view this Pick of the Day on ClassicCars.com