1969 RAIV Bird converts

[yellowjudge]

Hi, that was 1 of the 3 blue blue ones I listed. I hope to to see if there are any more than 6 out there.

[StealthBird]

Yes, these are extremely rare! There was a a road test conducted (article appeared in the "portfolio" series of road tests on 67-72 Firebirds) that had a 69 Firebird RAIV convertible with auto trans. I remember reading this road test, and after reading all the text (no spec sheet or performance data chart was given), I realized this was one of the five RAIV ragtop automatics produced that year. Of course, the road testers at that time had no idea (nor did they care) about the rarity of that Firebird.

I have no idea how many of these cars have survived, but I would think that the original (and subsequent) owners wouldn't have used a 69 RAIV Firebird convertible as daily drivers too often.

[yellowjudge]

HI Mike, Did the article listed color of the auto car? I know of a yellow one.

[StealthBird]

I'd have to check the article again when I get home tonight. I recall the photos looked like it was a dark colored car. There was a shot of the Firebird at highway speed, and it took up the classic 69 Firebird stance. Squatting in back. It may have had a trunk full of test equipment, I'm not sure.

[StealthBird]

The article was from a 1969 issue of "Supercars", and was reprinted in the "Firebird and Trans Am Portfolio 1967-1972". The color of the car is unfortunately NOT mentioned, but it does NOT appear to be white or yellow, judging by the black & white photos. The article states their test car had redlines.

Comments made by the testers were critical of the fact that Pontiac didn't offer a/c with the RAIV engine. Their test car had the TH400, 3.90 gears, P/S, PDB, etc. They loved the stacked in-dash gauges, but criticized the hood tach, saying it was hard to read in the rain (do you NEED to see your tach in the rain?) , and their hood tach was stolen off their car while they were in a restaurant in New York City. They also mentioned the throttle stop (held the Q-Jet to 3/4 throttle so it wouldn't outrun the Goat) held their test car back to the tune of 14.21 at 103 mph. Their car also had a mere 200 miles on the odometer, and they said the engine was still "tight". Gas mileage was 8 mpg city, 13 mpg highway.