Original price: $3,775.00 (In 1969 averages: car, $3,270.00; household income, $9,302;
home, $15,500; gallon of gas, $.35)
On loan from: Phil Mitchell, Sumner, Washington
Number made: 1 with code 611 fresh air inlet
Engine, etc.: 345 h.p.; 400 cu. in.
This is the only known 4-speed R/A III convertible with the code 611 fresh air inlet. Buyers usually didn’t know they had to specifically order the open scoops and would get what is called a 400 HO. This car will be “treated to a freshening” to bring the details up to a current standard.
The Pontiac Firebird was made from 1967 through 2002. It had the same platform as the Camaro. Pontiac had to pay a $5 royalty per car to the SCCA (Sports Car Club of America) for using the name from the Trans-Am racing series.
In 1967 Pontiac decided to go into competition with the Mustang and Camaro.
The Trans Am option for Firebirds was announced in March of 1969. It was based on the Firebird Sport Turismo and racing projects. The Trans Ams were white with blue stripes, a full-width rear airfoil and dark blue upholstery.
A pair of functional air scoops on the hood provided air for the engine. Standard Air Ram Air II V-8 engines had 335 h. p. but buyers could upgrade to the 345 h. p. engine. Trans Ams had a heavy-duty tuned suspension system with special springs, shocks, and stabilizers, and a limited-slip differential.
The Ram Air option for its additional cost didn’t have much of a power increase. Options included a four-speed manual or an automatic transmission. All V-8s came with a heavy-duty three speed manual transmission. Front disk brakes were also available.
The Chevrolet Corvette and Pontiac Firebird Trans Am were the only American high performance vehicles that remained in continuous production from their inception.
The final year for the Firebird was 2002
Source: https://www.conceptcarz.com/vehicle/series.aspx?makeID=121&modelID=101&h=14020#14020
See also: https://oldcarbrochures.com/static/NA/Pontiac/1969%20Pontiac/1969_Pontiac_Firebird_Brochure/dirindex.html (Original dealer brochure)