Performance Review: Pontiac Firebird 350 - [1969]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Pontiac Firebird Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Pontiac Firebird 350 is the 4 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 1969. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 1970 Monteverdi Hai 450 SS and the 1969 McLaren M6 GT 5.7 V8.This particular Pontiac Firebird has a 5798cc Naturally Aspirated Petrol powerplant with 8 cylinders in a V formation.

Alternative Petrol V8's includes the 2023 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170

The Firebird shares its Petrol V8 engine configuration with the likes of the 2023 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170 and the 2023 Ferrari SF 90 XX Spider 4.0 V8 Turbo. If you're looking for other fast cars which share the Firebird's Rear Wheel Drive, Coupe combination then how about the 1982 Fiat X1/9 1.5 8V or the 1965 Aston-Martin DB6 1965.

Power and Weight:

Weighing in at 1472 kgs (3245 lbs) this makes the Pontiac Firebird 350 in the same weight category as the 2023 Toyota Corolla GR Circuit Edition 1.6 Turbo or the give or take 50kg.

The Pontiac Firebird shares the same bhp with the 2022 Hyundai i30 N Performance 2.0 Turbo (276 bhp)

In terms of power the 5798cc 16V V8 engine produces 265 bhp (197 kW) @ 4600 rpm similar to the 2022 Hyundai i30 N Performance 2.0 Turbo (276 bhp) or the 2021 KIA K5 GT 2.5 Turbo (290 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated V8 throws out 355 lb-ft (481.3 Nm) @ 2800 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2024 Mazda CX-90 S 3.3 Turbo (369 lb-ft) or the 2023 Porsche Cayenne 3.0 V6 Turbo (369 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

If one combines the weight with power or torque performance for the Pontiac Firebird you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

The 2017 KIA Stinger GT 3.3 V6 Turbo (205.0 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Pontiac Firebird.

The Pontiac Firebird has a Power to weight ratio of 180.0 bhp per ton and 241.1 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 1969 Firebird competing with the 2017 KIA Stinger GT 3.3 V6 Turbo (205.0 bhp per ton) or the 2015 Peugeot 308 GTi 1.6 Turbo 250 (204.9 bhp per ton).

Power to Weight(cont.):

If you agree with the late great Carroll Shelby then arguably an even better indicator of potential performance, Torque. Use weight as well and you end up with - Torque per ton, with the Pontiac Firebird generating around 241.1 lb-ft per ton. If you're curious as to what other cars have as much torque to weight then look no further than the 2020 BMW 4 Series M4 Competition Coupe 3.0 Bi Turbo G82 (266.1 lb-ft per ton) or the 2010 Subaru Impreza STI CS 400 - Cosworth - Hatch (265.7 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 6.40 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 6.6 secs, this made the Pontiac Firebird 350 as fast as the 2022 Mini Cooper John Cooper Works Cabrio 2.0 Turbo (6.40 secs) the 2016 Ford Fiesta ST 200 1.6 Turbo (6.40 secs) the 2012 Subaru Forester STi tS 2.5L Turbo (6.40 secs) the or the 2011 Honda Civic 2.0i 16v VTEC Type R - FN2 (6.40 secs). This Pontiac Firebird 350 is also faster than the 2020 Abarth 695 70th Anniversario 1.4 Turbo (6.50 secs) the 2018 Abarth 595 Competizione 1.4 Turbo (6.50 secs) the 2016 Subaru Legacy 3.6 R (6.50 secs) the and the 2016 Abarth 124 Spider 1.4 Turbo (6.50 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the Firebird and the 2017 Bentley Bentayga 4.0 V8 Diesel

When talking about the performance of the Pontiac Firebird on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 14.48 secs @ 94.5 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 2017 Bentley Bentayga 4.0 V8 Diesel (14.41 secs), the 1972 Porsche 911 Carrera 2.7 RS (14.42 secs), and the 1998 Audi A6 4.2 Quattro (14.42 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 1969 version of the Pontiac Firebird 350 has a maximum speed of 120mph.

Top Speed of the 1969 Firebird equals the 2018 Toyota Sequoia TRD Sport 5.7 V8 (131 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 1969 Pontiac Firebird 350 then how about the 2018 Toyota Sequoia TRD Sport 5.7 V8 (131 mph), the 2011 Abarth 500 Essessee 1.4 Turbo (131 mph), or the 2011 Abarth 500C Essesse 1.4 Turbo (131 mph).

Related Links:

1969 Firebird Rivals List.

A Brief History of Pontiac

Car Comparison