HPP: The advertisements for Sounds of '68 list Singer as a major sponsor. Does it seem odd that a sewing machine company would be involved with a TV show geared mostly toward teenagers?
GB: Singer was our biggest sponsor. In those days, Singer electronics was the thing-we had all the Singer components. In the context of today's electronics, you'll absolutely crack up laughing when you see all the Singer equipment and where we put it. The typewriter, the TV, the tape deck-they were like big horses compared to today, but that's what we had to start out with. That's what we had to use. We didn't have the ultimate electronics that we have today.
HPP: How difficult was it to build the Singer home entertainment units into the Superteen Firebirds?
GB: Home entertainment units? (Laughter) That's exactly what they were. Everything was a custom operation. It wasn't formed to fit into the cars. There was no budget to do that, but they wanted it to be visual as an open home entertainment unit in the back seat.
HPP: What happened to the Super-teen Firebird brand name after the Sounds of '68 TV special?
GB: The Superteen Firebird was so popular that I began making parts for the aftermarket; customizing kits using Superteen Firebird components that dealers could put on Firebirds rather than shipping their customers' Firebirds way out here to California.
Singer was the biggest sponsor...
Singer was the biggest sponsor of Sounds of '68 and it gave the company the opportunity to show off its high-tech home entertainment offerings including portable AC/DC TV, typewriter, and stereo speakers. The reel-to-reel tape deck is from Muntz, and the storage unit is custom-made from hand-rubbed walnut wood.
Those aren't Martian antennae....
Those aren't Martian antennae. It's a TV antenna to bring in reception on the Singer TV (presumably while you were parked). Check out the three-piece adjustable rear spoiler and racing-style gas cap. The retail value of the Superteen Firebird in 1968 was $12,000.
HPP: The Superteen Firebird was also chosen as a model kit, manufactured by Model Products Corporation (MPC). Why did MPC manufacture a hatch-roof Superteen Firebird model kit, when the giveaway Superteen Firebirds were convertibles?
GB: MPC had existing tooling for a hatch-roof model kit. We never built a hatch-roof Superteen Firebird.
HPP: What do you think of the Superteen Firebird almost 40 years after you created it?
GB: The Superteen Firebird was a major success. It was more famous than the TV show's host Ed Ames and its special guest Aretha Franklin. And the model kit was one of the best selling ones that MPC ever made. This type of a car is such a collectible. It means more to the people who are into collecting unique, high-profile cars than a million dollars because they love to have them.
The Bird featured brake cooling...
The Bird featured brake cooling ducts, non-functional side pipes and split rear bumperettes.
The custom nose assembly was...
The custom nose assembly was designed and built by George Barris at Barris Kustom City. Check out the French-made Cibie headlights. According to Barris, these ultra-rare headlights were difficult to source.
HPP: Is Pontiac ready for another "Superteen" creation, perhaps a GTO or a Firebird, or one of the new G-series cars?
GB: I think it would be a very popular retro-style limited edition car today. Since classic styling is prevalent on the Mustang and the upcoming Camaro and Challenger, I feel Pontiac could also join the marketplace with a GTO or Firebird.