In answer to Fords Mustang and Chevy's Camaro, on January 27, 1967 Pontiac's General Manager John Z. DeLorean, a General Motors vice president and general manager of Pontiac Motor Division introduced the Firebird.

Built to sports car proportions with a new approach to "long hood, short deck" styling, the Firebird will go on sale February 23. It will be available in two styles, a hardtop coupe and convertible. Adding a new dimension to the personal sports car field, the Firebird will offer a choice of five engines, including a Pontiac overhead camshaft six-cylinder engine as standard and up to the optional 400 cubic-inch V-8. Standard equipment are bucket seats, three-speed manual transmission (with four-speed manual and two-speed and three-speed automatic optional), all-vinyl interior trims and the safety items previously announced on the 1967 Pontiac.

"The personal sports car field is probably the most rapidly growing in the industry. With the introduction of the Firebird we hope to attract new car buyers who want to step up to something extra in styling as well as performance in this segment of the market" DeLorean said.

Built on a 108.1-inch wheel base, the Firebird has an overall length of 188.8inches, is 72.6 inches wide and 51.5 inches high. The Firebird is named after a legendary Indian symbol which promised action, power, beauty and youth. It was first used in 1954 on GM's dramatic gas-turbine-powered car, the Firebird I.

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