This is Mark B's magnificent 1969 Pontiac 350 Firebird, freshly imported into Tasmania from Karratha, Western Australia. It's a striking - and quite unique - version of the model, featuring a revised nose cone, heavily swaged front and rear guards and and a set of purposeful looking vents just aft of the front wheels. I've inserted a few pics from the UMPH archives to demonstrate how Mark's car differs from the vast majority of Firebird / Camaro twins that we see here in Oz, although I'm not suggesting that there aren't any others like it anywhere else in our vast brown land.
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| Is it just me, or is this Firebird very, very l o n g ? |
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| This one's stumpier, for sure! |
Mark has helpfully provided some specs and a bit of background to get our collective motors running, as outlined in the following few paragraphs:
The Firebird was manufactured in Norwood, Ohio, and is a fitted with a 350 cubic inch GM V8 engine, a Super T10 Borg Warner 4 speed manual transmission, and an Edelbrock carby and intake. He reckons it's got the best sounding steel exhaust ever, and it also features a new staggered four core radiator (handy for WA's stinking hot weather!), a new power brake booster and master cylinder, plus new front ball joints. The power steering and wiring has been hidden from view and runs behind the inner guards for a clean look. After-market Koni front shocks and NOS 1974 HQ gas assisted pump-up rears combine with new tyres all-'round to ensure the car rides and handles like a dream.
Several years back, Mark's WA-based Uncle Andrew was touring the States when he bought the Firebird from its original owner - a guy going by the very American-sounding name of Charles D Norris - and had it shipped back to Oz. Mark's not sure if Charles D is any relation to the Chuck Norris but, interestingly, the crime-fighting martial arts movie star Mr Norris did drive a 1976 Pontiac Firebird in a few of his action flicks.
Mark - a Tasmanian FIFO - had been working in WA's Pilbara region for about 12 months when he drove to Karratha to catch up with his uncle, who proudly showed him his pride and joy. After a few coldies, Mark suggested that if Andrew was ever going to sell it, to please give him first offer.
He had already mentioned this to his wife, Natalie, and asked that if given the opportunity, whether he should I buy the Firebird to create some family memories for them and their four children, Jack, Chloe, Olivia and Sophie. Happily, Natalie didn’t take any convincing as she had fallen in love with it, too.
In November, 2021, Mark got a call from from his uncle to say that it was time to sell the Firebird and that, if he was still interested, they should talk. Mark most definitely was, setting out on his very next day off for the five hour one-way drive to Karratha. A price was agreed, the car was shipped to Hobart where it arrived just in time for Christmas and the rest, as they say, is history!
According to Mark, it was the best decision he and Natalie ever made. As he says, "seeing the smiles on our children's faces, along with the memories we have and will make, will last a lifetime." And if you want proof of that, just check out the photo above!
Did you enjoy this post? If so, why not check out the rest of the uppermiddlepetrolhead site? There are loads and loads of classic, sport and performance vehicles, as well numerous of Tasmanian car shows and motorsports events.
U M P H
(uppermiddlepetrolhead.blogspot.com.au.)
Photos of Mark's car by Mark.
Comparison photos by the Canberra Correspondent.
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