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Pontiac Firebird - 330 hp just for fun

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Created on July 1, 1968

Reading time 8min

Written by:

Heinz Kranz

Photos:

GM Corporation

8

Archiv

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GM Corporation

8

Archiv

19

Pontiac Firebird (1968) - als Sportcoupé

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Pontiac Firebird (1968) - in einer Werbeillustration

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Pontiac Firebird (1968) - zusammen mit dem GM Firebird I Konzeptfahrzeug aus der Mitte der Fünfzigerjahre

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GM Firebird I (1953) - Düsenflugzeuge mit und ohne Räder

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GM Firebird I (1954) - Fahrer-Briefing

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GM Firebird I (1954) - wie ein Düsenflugzeug auf Rädern

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GM Firebird II (1956) - die zweite Ausbaustufe

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GM Firebird III (1959) - alle drei Firebird zusammen

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GM Firebird III (1959) - das Zukunftsdesign der Fünfzigerjahre

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GM Firebird III (1959) - die dritte Ausbaustufe

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GM Firebird II (1956) - raketenhafter Prototyp mit Harley Earl

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Pontiac Firebird (1968) - als Cabriolet besonders attraktiv

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Pontiac Firebird (1967) - elegantes Sport-Coupé amerikanischen Zuschnitts

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Pontiac Firebird (1968) - als Cabriolet

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Pontiac Firebird (1968) - die Heckansicht des Coupés, lieferbar mit Sechs- und Achtzylinder-Motoren

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Pontiac Firebird (1968) - elegante Linienführung ohne Schnickschnack

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Pontiac Firebird (1968) - klassischer Fastback, auch mit vorderen Scheibenbremsen erhältlich

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Pontiac Firebird (1968) - Interieur mit sportlichen Sitzen

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Pontiac Firebird (1968) - bei der Ankündigung der Motorunterdruck-Reifen-Pumpe

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Pontiac Firebird (1968) - einen zarten Gasfuss vorausgesetzt, benimmt sich der Firebird ganz manierlich

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Pontiac Firebird (1968) - Handling-Test auf abgesperrter Piste

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Pontiac Firebird (1968) - gerade Stiche nach der Bremsprüfung - keine Probleme beim Verzögern

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Pontiac Firebird (1968) - sportliche Armaturen im Innern, der Drehzahlmesser aber ist auf der Motorhaube

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Pontiac Firebird (1968) - der Drehzahlmesser auf der Motorhaube, bis 8000 U/min dreht man den Motor allerdings nicht ungestraft

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Pontiac Firebird (1968) - elektrische Fensterheber und von innen verstellbarer Aussenspiegel wie beim Mercedes 600

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Pontiac Firebird (1968) - Faltrad zum Platz sparen, aufgepumpt wird 1968 mit Druckluftflasche

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Pontiac Firebird 400 (1967) - in einer Zeitschriftenwerbung aus dem Jahr 1967

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Summary

In 1968, the Opel of the average citizen had just 45 hp, but its corporate brother GM/Pontiac had the Pontiac Firebird 400 with 330 hp. The magazine 'hobby' was able to test one of the first cars to reach Europe and came to the conclusion that less was more. The recommendation was to drive with six rather than eight cylinders, at a lower cost and with more driving pleasure. This report reproduces the original wording of the test at the time and explains why Heinz Kranz recommended less rather than more. The report is supplemented by archive photos from the time and a review of three generations of GM Firebird with gas turbines, which gave the Pontiac its name.

This article contains the following chapters

From gas turbine concept car to popular sports car
Styling and equipment instead of technical innovations
Fully equipped for Europe
Fun is not necessarily dependent on horsepower
The most powerful version in the test
Almost unemployed as a driver
You get the bill at the gas station
Almost too much comfort
It can also be too much power
Cavalier start against your will ...
The power and luxury of America
Good passive safety and lots of gags
The small Firebird as a more European choice
Test summary

Estimated reading time: 8min

Preview (beginning of the article)

Do you love Brahms, or do you prefer Verdi, Bach or Stravinsky? You could also ask about your preferences for a sporty Mercedes, Porsche, Ferrari or an American car called a Mustang, Camaro or Firebird. We had Stravinsky's Firebird ballet in our ears for a few weeks and a real Firebird under the seat. Do we love Stravinsky now? For many years, the Firebird was General Motors' fastest experimental car - back when the gas turbine still had a real chance of being used in passenger cars. One day, when the world's largest car factory was confronted with the huge success of the Ford Mustang, they abandoned Turbine Turbine and gave the Pontiac brand the name Firebird, with the proviso that they would make an equivalent bestseller under this name.

Welcome to Zwischengas!

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