1969 Pontiac Firebird

Coupe

350 HO High Output Model

Manual

223379U116515

Clear

Gasoline

This is a Matador Red 1969 350 HO model Firebird with a 350HO WN code engine with the 48 heads and optional 4-speed manual transmission. The 350HO engine is noted by many as one of the most overlooked high performance engines of the Muscle Car era. It’s rated just 5HP less than a 400 at 325HP and actually has 400 heads matched to the pistons, 10.5:1 high compression ratio, larger intake manifold than a standard 350, larger carburetor, a hot 068 cam, dual exhaust and heavy duty suspension. This was Pontiac’s response to performance at a lower price than a 400. Wikipedia reports this is the hottest 350 GM engine of the era and could easily beat Chevy’s SS396 in addition to cars from GM’s other divisions that had a 350 motor. I purchased this car in 2005 from a party who worked at GM’s Proving Grounds in MI. He had some older documentation including an appraisal of this car dated July 10, 1992 done by “Top Hat” John who is quite famous according to his website. A photo of that appraisal is included. The JVC cassette player that that is referenced in the appraisal was in the car when I purchased it but has been removed and replaced with a correct AM radio. I also have a receipt from an engine rebuilder in 1994 that references rebuilding a Pontiac 350 engine but unable to determine if the receipt was related to this car or another car. Also have the original Body Broadcast Sheet that was under the rear seat. Very difficult to read due to age but the serial number is definitely readable and matches the car. There is also what might be the original window sticker as the paper feels quite old, faded color & yellowing and some tape which might have been used to attach to the window. This is originally a West Virginia car sold by Ideal Chevrolet Sales (yes Chevrolet) in Hamlin, WV. PHS paperwork has a factory ship date of 12/05/68. When we were redoing one of the seats there was a tag with October 1968 stamped on it. When I purchased the car it had an early 70’s WV registration sticker on the windshield. The rear side windows have Royal Bobcat stickers on them. Not sure if it had the Royal Pontiac Package or just the stickers although the engine has been rebuilt so even if it did have that performance package it no longer exists today. The car originally had a vinyl roof but I opted against installing a new one during the restoration. Car runs great and sounds great. A frame-on restoration including rebuilding the motor, transmission, rear end and most mechanicals (steering, suspension, brakes, etc) was completed early 2009. The car has been driven about 3,000 miles since the restoration. Interior was partially restored including seats, carpet, dash carrier. When I had the new dash carrier installed I had a gauge cluster installed instead of the warning lights. The transmission does not appear to be original but it is a 4-speed Muncie. I cannot see any serial number so it might not the original. The original Hurst Shifter was replaced with a new Hurst shifter as part of the restoration. The engine has the serial number stamped onto it. During the engine rebuild the cylinders were bored .040 over and the cam that was installed was a 51-223-4 Comp Cam. Rear end internals were upgraded a couple of years ago with an aftermarket Positraction unit. Made quite a difference in performance. All new updated suspension components including Edelbrock Performer shocks, new coil and leaf springs. New brakes, sway bars, a custom stainless exhaust system with Hedman Headers were also installed as part of the restoration. All the bushings were replaced. Where available Urethane bushings were used. Floors and frame rails were mint with so no need to replace. Wheel wells had some rot and the fenders had been patched with what looks like lead so I authorized replacement of fenders, quarters and wheel wells with new reproduction parts. Trunk has some surface rust mainly caused by the restoration team leaving the filled master cylinder in the trunk which ended up leaking brake fluid and peeling some of the trunk paint as can be seen in the picture. I did not get around to spraying with new spatter paint but I do have it and will supply with the car if requested. I also have new trunk and taillight gaskets that I will provide as the ones from the rebuild let a small amount of water in when the car is washed. Original wheels were steel with full wheel covers. I have mounted Pontiac Rally 2 wheels that are powder coated in the original factory color scheme. Original wheels were steel with full PMD hubcaps. There are 14” x 7” wheels on the front and 15” wheels on the back. Spare is also a powder coated 14”x 7”. Even when new the 69 Firebirds seemed to sit higher or appeared to sit higher in the front than the rear. By putting 15” wheels on the rear, the rear sits slightly higher than the front without the need for playing with the suspension or sacrificing tire width. During the restoration I opted to have a 400 hood installed along with an aftermarket correct style hood tach. I have the original hood which you are welcome to if your shipper will take it when the car is picked up after purchase. The car was painted with 4 color coats then 6 clear coats before sanding. I have installed an aluminum radiator with a dual electric cooling fan system as these engines were notorious for running hot on summer back days when new. I drive the car to Cape Cod in the summer and in that traffic I don’t want to take any chances with it getting too hot. I have most of the restoration receipts and when they are totaled up, including the cost of the car I have close to $50,000 invested. I can pull together a pdf file with many of them if you are serious about purchasing the car. My goal was to make the car better than factory and look like my first 69 Matador Red 4-Speed Firebird that I purchased in June 1971. Lots of great memories from that car and I also have lots of great memories from this car. The last two years I have driven this less than 600 miles total. A car like this needs to be driven not kept in the garage. It is great looking with excellent paint but not presently show car status although the one Pontiac show I participated in 2012 it was awarded Class Runner Up. It would take some additional TLC and work to be a show car. Items that need work are include the headliner (showing signs of age), left kick panel had been cut for what I assume would be a speaker (I have a new panel that I did not get around to installing but will go with the car), clock does not work, windshield washer is not working, AM radio was rebuilt 12 years ago but is not working well now, there are 4 mounting holes at top of console (below the dash area) which look to have been made for mounting something and there are a couple of minor rust bubbles; on the driver’s door and on the panel in front of the windshield. There may be some other minor items which I don't recall at the moment. Pictures are provided where possible. The original carburetor was not on the car when I purchased it. I found a correct date code & number carburetor which I paid $900 including complete restoration (not just rebuilt). If you purchase at the Buy It Now price I will include the carburetor in the sale. Presently there is a Holly Street Avenger Carburetor on the car. I chose the Street Avenger for both performance and ease of starting in colder weather. This carburetor has an electric choke. I will make the car available for inspection but your inspector must make an appointment. I have done my best to describe the car, however, it will be 50 years old in October and there have been prior owners so I do not know the full history of the car and what may or may not have been done to it from a modification standpoint or authenticity standpoint. I’m not aware of any major issues from a driving standpoint but I am not a mechanic or industry expert so again I recommend you ask questions now and/or have an inspection. The speedometer reads 88,503 miles but there is no way to validate if this is correct or not due to the age and mechanical limitations of the odometer. Note that the State of Rhode Island does not title any vehicles that are 10 years old or older. The current Rhode Island vehicle registration will be provided. There are no warranties; either written, implied or expressed. Please ask questions before bidding. All sales are final. Thank you for your interest.