Photo: Mecum
It’s very rare for the first-ever member of any car family to still be around, and when that happens, they almost never come in great condition. Yet as far as the Pontiac Firebird is concerned, the Gods have been kind.
Earlier this week, we featured a very special Pontiac Firebird convertible. Actually, it wasn't just “a convertible,” but the very first Firebird, Serial No. 001. And here comes Serial no. 002, the second one ever made, and at the same time the first to have been produced in coupe body style.
Both cars belonged a while back to former Golden State Warriors player Chuck Aleksinas. They were discovered by Gas Monkey Garage’s Richard Rawlings, who quickly got possession of them. Being so important, historically speaking, both cars were restored by the shop in front of the world during the Discovery Channel Fast N' Loud series in 2014.
Just like 001, this one too was meant as a show car, a fate sealed by the cowl plate accompanying it. It now sports the original “Silverglaze metallic paint with side stripes, a black vinyl roof and matching black Deluxe interior.”
Unlike the convertible sibling, which is powered by a 326-ci (5.3-liter) V8 good for 250 hp, this one has the High Output (HO) version of the powerplant with a Rochester 4-barrel carburetor, higher compression, and dual exhaust. All the extra hardware pushes the output to 285 hp.
Serial no. 002 has been a part of Rawlings’ personal collection ever since it was brought back to its former shine in front of the cameras. Together with the 001, it is going under the hammer in January, a duo the likes of which the world has probably never seen before.
Auction house Mecum was tasked with finding new owners for the cars, but no estimate is given on how much they are expected to make.
Both cars belonged a while back to former Golden State Warriors player Chuck Aleksinas. They were discovered by Gas Monkey Garage’s Richard Rawlings, who quickly got possession of them. Being so important, historically speaking, both cars were restored by the shop in front of the world during the Discovery Channel Fast N' Loud series in 2014.
Just like 001, this one too was meant as a show car, a fate sealed by the cowl plate accompanying it. It now sports the original “Silverglaze metallic paint with side stripes, a black vinyl roof and matching black Deluxe interior.”
Unlike the convertible sibling, which is powered by a 326-ci (5.3-liter) V8 good for 250 hp, this one has the High Output (HO) version of the powerplant with a Rochester 4-barrel carburetor, higher compression, and dual exhaust. All the extra hardware pushes the output to 285 hp.
Serial no. 002 has been a part of Rawlings’ personal collection ever since it was brought back to its former shine in front of the cameras. Together with the 001, it is going under the hammer in January, a duo the likes of which the world has probably never seen before.
Auction house Mecum was tasked with finding new owners for the cars, but no estimate is given on how much they are expected to make.
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