Firebird emblems were embroidered...
Firebird emblems were embroidered on both front seats by Crager's Auto Interiors in Centerville, Ohio.
John's most ingenious modification to the chassis setup is the addition of Fourth-Gen brakes [done after the photo shoot.-Ed.] "I made up my own brackets, and the car stops great," he says. "I went with these because I wanted to be able to get OEM parts locally if necessary, and the rear drum-in-disc parking brake is clean and simple." The disc setup is controlled by a Hydratech Braking Systems hydraulic assist unit that makes up for the vacuum-challenged engine. It's connected to an original-style master cylinder and adjustable proportioning valve.
Inside
Crager's Auto Interiors in Centerville re-covered the seats and top. The thrones feature black vinyl and Medium Dark Flint cloth upholstery, which John color-matched to reproduction door panels, and black cut-pile carpet. Stock headrests are embroidered with First-Gen Firebird logos, and a '68 Firebird Rally gauge cluster took the place of the 120-mph stock unit. The original steering wheel, console, shifter plate, seatbelts, custom interior dash grab handle, and rearview mirror were freshened and reinstalled.
After our photo shoot, John...
After our photo shoot, John upgraded the original disc/drum braking system with the Fourth-Gen, two-piston calipers and 11-inch rotors shown here. It's controlled by a Hydratech hydraulic-assist unit (not shown) and a GM master cylinder and proportioning valve.
Delco's AM/FM radio was upgraded to modern internals by Tayman Electrical in Sarasota, Florida, along with outputs to Polk 4x6 speakers behind the factory-style kick-panel grilles and Blaupunkt low-profile 5.25-inch speakers in the rear-quarter well covers. A Kenwood KSC SW1 75W-powered subwoofer is hidden behind the convertible top well to make up for the bass missing from the rear speakers; it can't be seen, even from the trunk.
The End
Whereas many Pontiac collectors would go the concours route when restoring an early production '67 Firebird 400, John says he's pleased with the decisions he made for his vehicle. "I have a newfound respect for those who do numbers-correct Pontiacs," he says, "but I learned that's not me. I would prefer to expend my efforts on the car itself and exercise a little creativity in the process as opposed to acquiring parts."
"I tried to let my two boys...
"I tried to let my two boys do as much small assembly as possible," John says. "I just had to close my eyes and not watch when they were working around the fresh paint. They show promise-I only had to repaint one of the interior door tops."
Judges at the '07 Trans Am Nationals agreed that John's creativity and execution are top-rate. He took First Place in the Super Street class only days after finishing his '67 Firebird. In 2008, he was put in the Winner's Circle. "I've not really competed it elsewhere," he says. "I learned that I like cruise-ins and driving my Pontiac a whole lot more than competing in shows.
"As for Pro-Touring, it really appealed to me because I wanted an all-around driver. I love the other genres, but I can't imagine driving 300 miles a day and fully enjoying my '67 Firebird 400 any other way."