Performance Review: Pontiac Firebird 400 - [1967]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Pontiac Firebird Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Pontiac Firebird 400 is the 3 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 1967. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 1968 Dodge Dart Hemi 7.0 V8 and the 1968 Plymouth Road Runner 426 Hemi V8 1st Gen.This particular Pontiac Firebird has a 6554cc 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 1510 kgs (3328 lbs) this makes the Pontiac Firebird 400 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 2024 Mazda CX-90 S 3.3 Turbo (340 bhp)

In terms of power the 6554cc 16V V8 engine produces 325 bhp (242 kW) @ 4800 rpm similar to the 2024 Mazda CX-90 S 3.3 Turbo (340 bhp) or the 2023 Porsche Cayenne Coupe 3.0 V6 Turbo (348 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated V8 throws out 410 lb-ft (555.8 Nm) @ 3400 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2024 Ford Mustang Dark Horse 5.0 V8 (418 lb-ft) or the 2022 KTM X-Bow GT-XR 2.5 Turbo (429 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 2003 Jaguar XJ R 4.2 V8 Supercharged (240.2 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Pontiac Firebird.

The Pontiac Firebird has a Power to weight ratio of 215.2 bhp per ton and 271.5 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 1967 Firebird competing with the 2003 Jaguar XJ R 4.2 V8 Supercharged (240.2 bhp per ton) or the 2012 Audi A5 RS5 4.2 V8 Cabriolet (240.0 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 271.5 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 1967 DeTomaso Mangusta 4.7 V8 (296.5 lb-ft per ton) or the 2013 Audi A8 4.2 TDi Quattro (296.4 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 6.20 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 6.4 secs, this made the Pontiac Firebird 400 as fast as the 2019 Toyota Supra SZ-R 2.0 Turbo (6.20 secs) the 2019 Toyota Supra SZ 2.0 Turbo (6.20 secs) the 2017 Volkswagen-VW Arteon 2.0 TDi SCR 4Motion (6.20 secs) the or the 2014 Peugeot 208 Gti 1.6 Turbo 30th (6.20 secs). This Pontiac Firebird 400 is also faster than the 2024 Mazda CX-90 S 3.3 Turbo (6.30 secs) the 2020 Audi A1 Sportback 40 TFSI S tronic S line (6.30 secs) the 2018 Ford Fiesta ST 1.5 Turbo 5 door (6.30 secs) the and the 2018 Ford Fiesta ST 1.5 Turbo (6.30 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the Firebird and the 1969 Ford Mustang Mach 1 390 4 Speed

When talking about the performance of the Pontiac Firebird on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 13.63 secs @ 100.4 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 1969 Ford Mustang Mach 1 390 4 Speed (13.57 secs), the 1999 Nissan Skyline R34 GTR (13.59 secs), and the 2014 Audi A4 S4 3.0 V6 S-Tronic (13.59 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 1967 version of the Pontiac Firebird 400 has a maximum speed of 120mph.

Top Speed of the 1967 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 1967 Pontiac Firebird 400 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:

1967 Firebird Rivals List.

A Brief History of Pontiac

Car Comparison