Pink is a color many enthusiasts don't want on their muscle cars. They say it's too feminine and looks out of place on a vehicle that's supposed to burn rubber when the pedal hits the metal. But that didn't stop the Big Three from offering pink hues on muscle or pony cars back in the day.
Chrysler's Panther Pink / Moulin Rouge is perhaps the most iconic. Offered for a few months as a "spring color" in 1970, it found its way on several Dodge rigs, including the Charger, Challenger, and Super Bee. Plymouth offered it on the Barracuda, Road Runner, and GTX. The short-lived hue reportedly returned as a special-order paint in the Dodge catalog in 1971.
Pink was also a regular presence in the first-gen Ford Mustang's color palette. In 1967, Ford produced a few cars in Playmate Pink, while Dusk Rose was offered as a special-order hue. A year later, Ford introduced Passionate Pink, followed by Hot Pink in 1969. Playmate Pink returned in 1972.
General Motors began offering pink color options under various names in the 1950s. And these so-called feminine hues found their way on cars from nearly every division. The pink Cadillacs ordered by Elvis Presley are perhaps the most iconic.
But for some reason GM stopped including pink in its regular color palette in 1964, just as the muscle car segment was gaining traction. The hue didn't officially return until Cadillac began offering Mary Kay Pink in 1991, but Chevrolet made a couple of special-order exceptions during the golden muscle car era.
One happened in 1972 when pink became a special color for fleet vehicles. That's right, it found its way on a few Chevrolet C/K pickup trucks. Then there's the lovely Pink Mist hue that Pontiac offered on the Firebird in 1968. A short-lived shade, it was part of the brand's "spring special" campaign, which also included Carnival Red, Windward Blue, and Marigold Yellow.
Needless to say, Pink Mist was far from popular at the time. In fact, if it weren't for the 1968 convertible you see here, we probably wouldn't even know this hue existed. According to the owner, this may be the only Firebird ordered in this color.
But it's not just the exterior paint that makes this Poncho special. The white soft top and the Parchment Morrokide Deluxe interior (that's Pontiac talk for white) make for a unique color combo. But wait, there's more. This Firebird is also a celebrity classic because it was initially purchased by Nancy Sinatra.
The elder daughter of Frank Sinatra, Nancy became famous in 1965 when she released her most iconic hit, "These Boots Are Made for Walking." By the time she reportedly bought this Firebird, Nancy Sinatra charged on Billboard's Hot 100 with 14 songs and started in several movies. The muscle car is now owned by Ken Barnett, who bought it at auction in January 2022 for $62,700.
As far as the vehicle's condition goes, it received a body-on restoration some years ago and looks fairly pristine inside and out. The Firebird rocks a 400-cubic-inch (6.6-liter) V8 good for 330 horsepower, which was among the most potent engines available at the time. In addition to the brawny V8, the Firebird was equipped with "nearly every available option."
Needless to say, the color combo, options list, and pristine condition make this Firebird one of the finest 1968 Ponchos out there, while the link with Nancy Sinatra makes it a hot collectors' item. Check it out in the video below.
Ask Ciprian about cars and he'll reveal an obsession with classics and an annoyance with modern design cues. Read his articles and you'll understand why his ideal SUV is the 1969 Chevrolet K5 Blazer. Full profile
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