International Firebirds Lot#1

International Firebirds
Lot#1

International Members		Rank
Canada	41	1
Australia	17	2
Netherlands	12	3
UK	10	4
Germany	10	4
Sweden	9	5
Norway	6	6
Denmark	5	7
Austria	4	8
Switzerland	4	8
Poland	3	9
France	3	9
Philippines	2	10
Finland	2	10
Mexico	2	10
Bahrain	1	11
Brazil	1	11
Chile	1	11
Cyprus	1	11
Czech Republic	1	11
Iran	1	11
New Zealand	1	11
Scotland	1	11
Thailand	1	11

Red '68 Convertible Firebird (127291 bytes)

Red '68 Convertible Firebird (146206 bytes)

This '68 convertible Firebird was one of the very first international Firebirds to be added to the site. The owner recently contacted me to let me know the car has know been sold to Shane Pearce. He also sent along some new pics and the following information:

"Hi Firebird Gallery ... it's been tooooo long between drinks! I can update you a lot on the "international" page. The very 1st image (my old red '68 Convertible) was sold to Shane Pearce in Sydney Australia. We are best mates and are both members of the Pontiac Car Club of Australia. I have attached pics of Shane's restoration of the car. I know you like good resolution so I've added the separate photos as well as a combo shot. Shane had the worst luck ... within one week of purchasing the car from me, he was run up the back by another car. The '68 was off the road for nearly three years as he fixed everything *properly*."

This incredible and immaculate 1981 Trans Am is a true survivor. Its owned by Murdock Mclean and he writes:

"My T/A was made in Norwood, Ohio for the Canadian market. There is 15,000 original miles on it. It has a 305 CI HO engine, automatic, it is fully equipped except AC. It has Maroon exterior and Tan interior. I ordered the car without any Eagle emblem on the engine hood .The car has never never been driven in the winter nor smoked in, the last time it was out in the rain was 1981.It has over "100" coats of hand rubbed wax. The four barrel carb was used "4" times, twice in 1981 and twice in 1990.I have the original factory build sheet and a copy of window sticker. It has the original Tires, Spark Plugs, It has the original plastic covering the carpets entering the rear seat. The last time it was driven after dark was 1981,it still has the new car smell, it is stored and covered in a heated garage. I have a log book documenting all maintenance and gas mileage, also a binder with all the factory info that came with the car. There is extensive Chrome and SS Braided Hose in the engine compartment. I also have the original Pontiac brochure from which the car was ordered. Presently there is a set of Chrome wheels on it, I have the original Stamped Steel wheels in my garage. The car is taken yearly to the local Pontiac Dealer and checked over. It has been appraised as close to a 100 point car as you can get without completing restoring. It still has the original "OK" white chalk factory initial on the radiator shroud."

Murdock MacLean
RR# 3
New Glasgow
Nova Scotia

This Australian bird is not your average Firebird. This is an extremely rare Ram Air I Firebird. Its owned by Geoff Swavely and he writes:

"Both myself and another club member each have a 1968 Ram Air 1 TH400 Firebird 400. Mine has not been well looked after and has been off the road for 11 years as I slowly find parts and restore it. The car was an alpine blue car, with a huge list of options. Both Ram Air I cars were delivered new to Stacks Holden Sydney Australia early 1968 (Zone code=40, Dealer code=01), hence they are Ram Air I not II cars... (I have attached some "near finished" pics). Jim Mattison from PHS recently visited Australia, and he knows both of us (you are probably aware that Jim has a special "passion" for 1st gen Ram Air cars!). He awarded Larry's car the best car in show at the 2001 Pontiac Nationals in Australia ..... it really is *that* good."

The third and final Firebird in the Swavely collection. Geoff owns this 1 of 663 '92 Trans Am. Geoff writes:

"Well ...this rounds out my collection .... 1 of 663 '92 Trans Am convertibles. This car was originally a Canadian delivery car and has many options ... basically a GTA without the 350! I have had to replace the nose, redo the brakes, change the lights to suit rules out here in Australia, along with seatbelts. The car is otherwise a very clean example of a factory 3rd gen convertible. It has 111,000kms on it, and also gets used. It is a great car to drive. The "block heater" option is still original and unused!!!"

Pics of this Australian Trans Am were first submitted to the Gallery By Geoff Swavley. At that time it had been sold to some new owners and after several years I'm happy to say they have contacted me and provided some new images of this great looking T/A. The new owners are Greg and Sue Snape. Greg writes:

"G'day, could you please update the pics of Jeff Swavely's '71 TA. Jeff sold the car in 1990. We found her in 1998 and after extensive research found her to be the only GM export '71 bought to Australia new."

Thank you,
Greg and Sue Snape (its her car really)

These "Twins" as Greg calls them are owned by Greg and Sue Snape. They already owned the '71 Trans Am seen in the 2nd picture (see previous entry above) and recently added this stock '70 RAIII Trans Am to the stable. Greg writes:

"G'day all, have to update you on a real nice edition. We now have twins!!! We weren't looking and a real nice un-restored, numbers matching '70 Ram Air 3 T/A fell in our lap. The American owner bought her over here when he married an Australian lady. Found the build sheet when cleaning her up. TH400 and 3.55, black trim. Don't need to convert to right drive so she won't be touched. Already put 4000 miles on her."

This is the last of the cool Firebird images that Geoff sent me. Like two other cars above this '72 Formula used to belong to Geoff but now belongs to another Australian.

This 1990 Formula is owned by Anders Erikkson of Uppsala, Sweden. The car was imported to Sweden from Texas in 1992. Anders purchased it in 1995. After six years it still only has 31,000 miles showing on the odometer.

Anders is a member of The Trans Am Club of Sweden and hosts his own webpage called Firebird Links. Stop by and check it out sometime.

This 1969 Firebird resides somewhere in Finland. It was sold and the current owner is unknown. The information provided below was the last info I received on this Firebird.

"Engine: 69" 400" +030 stock crank. TRW forged pistons, polished and shotpeened stock rods with ARP bolts. Compcams 280 Magnum Cam. Edelbrock Torker II intake and Holley 750 vac carb. Moroso Air cleaner and valve covers. Mallory Unilite distributor with Accel Super Coil. Coyote Headers.

Heads: 69" 72cc (milled 1.5mm), K-liners, 1,77/2,11 valves, Compcams Dual springs, Crane retainers, Harlan Sharp 1.65 roller rockers.

Wheels are 16" with VR 225/50 tires (from 89 WS6 Trans/Am). Trans is TH350 with stock converter and rear is 3.08 10 bolt between 3.50-3.90."

This 1979 Trans Am is owned by Francois Lemelin of Quebec, Canada. The TA is equipped with the 6.6L 403 and the standard 3-speed automatic transmission. The car is basically stock except for a set of chrome traction bars and new tires (P295/70R15 on the front & P245/60R15 on the rear). Hopefully there will be more info on this car coming soon.

E-mail: Francois Lemelin

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