Performance Review: Pontiac Firebird Sprint 3.8L - [1967]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Pontiac Firebird Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Pontiac Firebird Sprint 3.8L is the 4 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 3770cc Naturally Aspirated Petrol powerplant with 6 cylinders in a St formation.

Alternative Petrol St6's includes the 1965 Aston-Martin DB6 1965

The Firebird shares its Petrol St6 engine configuration with the likes of the 1965 Aston-Martin DB6 1965 and the . 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 1488 kgs (3280 lbs) this makes the Pontiac Firebird Sprint 3.8L 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 Mini Cooper John Cooper Works Cabrio 2.0 Turbo (228 bhp)

In terms of power the 3770cc 12V St6 engine produces 215 bhp (160 kW) @ 5200 rpm similar to the 2022 Mini Cooper John Cooper Works Cabrio 2.0 Turbo (228 bhp) or the 2020 Audi TT S Turbo 50 TFSI (225 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated St6 throws out 240 lb-ft (325.3 Nm) @ 3800 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2022 Mini Cooper John Cooper Works Cabrio 2.0 Turbo (236 lb-ft) or the 2020 Ford Puma ST 1.5 Turbo (236 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 2016 Ford Fiesta ST 200 1.6 Turbo (169.3 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Pontiac Firebird.

The Pontiac Firebird has a Power to weight ratio of 144.4 bhp per ton and 161.2 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 1967 Firebird competing with the 2016 Ford Fiesta ST 200 1.6 Turbo (169.3 bhp per ton) or the 2020 Abarth 695 70th Anniversario 1.4 Turbo (169.3 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 161.2 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 1999 Subaru Impreza RB5 - Classic (186.2 lb-ft per ton) or the 2011 BMW 3 Series 335i F30 (186.1 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 10.10 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 10.4 secs, this made the Pontiac Firebird Sprint 3.8L as fast as the 1966 Volvo 144 Grand Luxe 2.0 8v (10.10 secs) the 2019 Ford Ranger F-150 Raptor 2.0 (10.20 secs) the 1983 Alfa-Romeo Alfasud 1.5 Ti QV (10.20 secs) the or the 1974 Peugeot 504 2.7 V6 (10.20 secs). This Pontiac Firebird Sprint 3.8L is also faster than the 2019 Ford Ranger F-150 Raptor 2.0 (10.20 secs) the 1983 Alfa-Romeo Alfasud 1.5 Ti QV (10.20 secs) the 1974 Peugeot 504 2.7 V6 (10.20 secs) the and the 1970 GMC Jimmy 5.7 V8 (10.20 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the Firebird and the 1991 Porsche 944 Turbo Cabriolet

When talking about the performance of the Pontiac Firebird on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 15.57 secs @ 87.8 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 1991 Porsche 944 Turbo Cabriolet (15.50 secs), the 1996 Fiat Coupe 2.0 20V Turbo (15.51 secs), and the 1992 Renault Alpine A610 3.0 V6 Turbo (15.52 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 1967 version of the Pontiac Firebird Sprint 3.8L has a maximum speed of 114mph.

Top Speed of the 1967 Firebird equals the 2011 Renault Twingo 1.6 133 Renaultsport Cup (125 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 1967 Pontiac Firebird Sprint 3.8L then how about the 2011 Renault Twingo 1.6 133 Renaultsport Cup (125 mph), the 2011 Fisker Karma Hybrid (125 mph), or the 2009 Tesla Roadster Electric 248bhp (125 mph).

Related Links:

1967 Firebird Rivals List.

A Brief History of Pontiac

Car Comparison