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1,200 Horsepower Pontiac Firebird Is the Best Way to Spend $87K

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1,200 Horsepower Pontiac Firebird 1967 Black Pontiac Firebird Auction

Some cars, including the Pontiac Firebird that was auctioned off, are truly priceless. Pictured: 1967 Pontiac Firebird
Photo:Chad Horwedel

Although the Pontiac brand is no longer around producing new cars, it still manages to impress now and again.

Take the recent appearance of the Pontiac Firebird in the news. The sleek black muscle car manages to live on in new and impressive ways. True, it might not be a new, flashy model to be paraded in dealership showrooms, but it’s still superior to most vehicles crowding up the highways.

That’s partly because this 1970 Pontiac Firebird is no ordinary car. Like the mystical phoenix, this Firebird descended into the fires of the Pontiac brand’s demise… only to emerge from the flames even stronger.

By stronger, we’re referring to its horsepower–a 1,200 horsepower Pontiac Firebird.

Who Wouldn’t Want a 1,2000 Horsepower Pontiac Firebird?

Attendees at the Mecum Chicago Auction last Saturday had the opportunity to bid on a retooled jet-black 1970 Pontiac Firebird that had been hopped up with an unprecedented 1,200 horsepower. How much were bidders willing to pay for this monster of machinery?

A reasonable $87,000.

While that final price might not rival what many other cars sell for at the Mecum Chicago Auction, its quality makes the price a real steal. Its 480-cubic-inch engine had been modified and bolstered with twin turbochargers.

Some might snub the 1,200 horsepower Pontiac Firebird because it’s been modified, and isn’t a true classic, but more and more buyers these days don’t care about original authenticity. They just want powerful cars.

“As Gen X’ers hit their 40s and have some money to invest in classic cars, many are opting for muscle cars restored with modern parts, so-called “restomods,” said Rick Drewry, senior specialist for collector cars for American Modern, an insurer of collector cars. “Boomers are starting to exit and Gen X’ers are coming in.”

While buzz surrounding the Mecum Chicago Auction might be distracted with with decade-old Ford GTs going for $300,000, the 1,200 horsepower Pontiac Firebird’s presence signals a new step in the brand’s never-ending journey: its inevitable reappearance in the auction market.

So don’t expect to say goodbye to Pontiac just yet!