If it were not for Mr. Leno, I would never have known about 75% of the cars he showcases. He should be know as a great auto historian and not merely a collector and enthusiast.

@cbruno12180

2 жыл бұрын

How awesome is he!! Can just buy any classic car he wants and have it totally rebuilt from his own house with his own group of great technicians too!! What a life he has well deserved too he worked hard for it

@tonkajammin

2 жыл бұрын

IMO Jay is the Godfather of Automobilia

@stevie65able

2 жыл бұрын

@@tonkajammin Well said. Perfect description of Jay Leno.

@johnburns4017

2 жыл бұрын

A historian using the video medium, not paper.

@QS-si3cq

2 жыл бұрын

He also gets many things wrong and spreads bad information amongst enthusiast communities as a result. I'm still trying to get people to stop believing that WS6 doesn't mean "wide suspension 6 pieces" because of him (it DOES NOT mean that; it is just a set of random letters and a number).

From Firebird Nation website. According to "The Fabulous Firebird" book by Michael Lamm, these items were nick-named "cocktail shakers", and were used only in the convertibles to counter body vibration. These cannisters contained spring loaded weights suspended in oil.

@LoveBandit1000

2 жыл бұрын

Good explanation I found online: ""The half-frame body construction doesn't have very good torsional stiffness (compared to a full-frame car or a full-unibody car), so "F"-body convertibles had a lot of "cowl shake" (what you see when you go across railroad tracks, etc. when you watch the windshield and cowl area shake back and forth, which you don't see on a coupe), and road surface irregularities at highway speed can induce the same phenomenon under certain conditions. The "cocktail shakers" have a heavy weight inside that's free to move up and down, with a spring above and below it to hold it centered vertically, and the can is filled with oil to damp the weight's motion (Corvair convertibles had the same thing, BTW). These become vibration dampers at certain frequencies and reduce the visible "cowl shake" to what Chevrolet felt was an acceptable level (as a substitute for properly-designed convertible body structure). If your car doesn't have them any more (many were trashed because people didn't know what they were and they were heavy), don't worry about it from a functional standpoint - you'll just have more "cowl shake" without them than you'd have with them in place.""

@theundergroundlairofthesqu9261

2 жыл бұрын

Neat! In modern times, Ford has been bolting some 25 lb. steel/rubber vibration dampers to pickup truck frames, for customers who complain of vibrations.

@melvinharvey8279

2 жыл бұрын

had those in my1969 camaro

@gregparrott

2 жыл бұрын

That's an apt name. I had them in my '68 Camaro convertible.

@keithstudly6071

2 жыл бұрын

They had these in the 1965 thru 1967 Corvair convertibles. They helped to compensate for the chassis stiffness lost in the convertible.

I love the calm and casual car talk. It's like we are sitting at a bar together. Doesn't have a reality show or documentary feel

@Spike9803

11 күн бұрын

Eactly! ars and motoryles always get guys together. I love car shows, drive nights, etc.

Such a fun car. Pontiac was at the top of their game, well ahead of their time. Thank you for sharing this gem with us. Really well done.

@wallacebentley6655

2 жыл бұрын

I think GM really made a poor decision in dropping PONTIAC. They understood performance, looks and fun. I've owned between 68 and 93 a GTO, a Le Mans, a Grand Prix and a Bonneville. All were great cars. I think, pure performance aside, although it was no slug, the 93 Bonneville was my favorite. Quick enough, comfortable and a quite, smooth ride that still managed to handle well. I had a class mate with the hi po Sprint. Really nice car. All it needed to make it complete was dual exhaust.. Never understood all the performance mods and no duals or at least a cool looking and great sounding single like the first Barracudas had.

@tiki_trash

2 жыл бұрын

I had a friend that had a Tempest Sprint. It was white with the black Sprint stripes.

@TheOfficialCaseMade

Жыл бұрын

GM was the only thing holding GM back. Every time one of their lesser subsidiaries had a genius idea, they felt threatened that it would hurt their "big sellers" and immediately axed it... The Corvette was the worst offender.

Hey Jay, You hit one out of the park with this video. I owned this same car, a 1967 Firebird Sprint, convertible, 4spd, electric roof, etc. I was in school at U Mass, Amherst in 1977. In April of that year I was in a motorcycle accident and broke my back. I spent 8 weeks in the hospital, and lost the whole semester. When I got released from the hospital I was in a back brace and could barely walk. I lived off campus. I couldn’t even walk to the bus stop; I was all screwed up. My housemate had just bought this old 1967 Firebird Convertible (a Sprint) and he sold it to me for $300.00; I will never forget that favor as long as I live. The car had a new roof (electric), the 4spd, it had an inspection sticker and it ran. Getting that car was the first good thing to happen to me in that whole ordeal. My Firebird Sprint had a tired pushrod GM 6cyl motor (the OHC 6 was long gone). I had the hood tach, but it was out of the car in the trunk. That $300.00 Firebird burned oil and had a leaky exhaust, but it changed my life. I was mobile again. The car made me smile at a really bad time in my life. I couldn’t work that summer, so by late fall I had to sell the car to pay rent and buy food. The car needed work, but I could hardly lift the hood to add some oil and STP. Still, it broke my heart to part with the car. I’ll always remember that 1967 Firebird Sprint Convertible. Over the years every time I scan eBay, or in the old days the “WantAd”, I look for a Firebird Sprint convertible whether I have the jing to actually buy one or not. I was grinning ear to ear watching this video. Thanks for restoring this Firebird Sprint. You don’t even know me Jay, but will you do me a favor please? Next time you drive your Sprint will you slap Deep Purple “Highway Star” in the cassette player and run the car through the gears for me? Thanks Bro. Jim Vann

@MichaelRCarlson

2 жыл бұрын

Great story! Highway Star was what I listened to in my 68 as well, how funny is that!

@lorencelampin6746

2 жыл бұрын

What a story! Thanks for sharing. I can hear the music.

@Spike9803

2 жыл бұрын

@@lorencelampin6746 Glad you liked the story, it's true every word. "I love it, I need it and beat it... Alright, hold tight... I'm a highway Star!" You know what I'm talking about!

@Spike9803

2 жыл бұрын

@@MichaelRCarlson Highway Star is one of the best driving songs of all time! Every kid with a manual transmission in his car back then was a highway star. It's true that story, I lived it. It's surprising what the right motor vehicle can do for your attitude. I'll never forget that 1967 Firebird Sprint, or my pal Hurls that sold it to me for short money (he's still a good friend 45 years later). That Firebird was the best car I ever owned. Maybe not the nicest, but the best.

@icanfartloud

2 жыл бұрын

Jay doesn't read these comments goofball

I love how Jay has millions of dollars worth of some of the finest cars in the world, and his go to work/run around to do errands car is a six cylinder Firebird. I guess it goes with his wardrobe.

@donjones4719

2 жыл бұрын

Good one. And actually, Jay has said about quite a few of the cars featured that he commutes in them, from 19-teens and 1920s up thru this one. Also said it about his 1909 Baker Electric and talked about it in a convincing way, how it handled street commuting speeds OK.

@rickj1983

2 жыл бұрын

Just because he wears jeans doesn't mean anything other than he's comfortable in jeans.

@JohnK-ph3vw

2 жыл бұрын

Sometimes, simplicity is the best, most comfortable option.

@richmonroe203

2 жыл бұрын

If you live in Los Angeles, especially in the San Fernando Valley, you see him driving around with many cars from his collection.

@brentfarvors192

2 жыл бұрын

Better question is: How does he afford all of those...? Especially in Commiefornia...? I get he was the king of all time late show hosts, but, that is at least half a billion in cars in his many garages...?

I'm actually old enough to remember that engine. Back in the days pumping gas, the station owner made us wash every windsheild and always check the cars oil so I got to see everything that was out there.

Wonder if Leno realizes how his knowledge, teachings and collections truly are preserving a little bit of history as it slowly fades into the forgotten 💗

I love this car. Looks, engineering and all. Tasteful Americana

@donaldhollums3278

2 жыл бұрын

I doubt there are any “Made in USA with global components” on this jewel from Pontiac!

@johnburns4017

2 жыл бұрын

Nice looking indeed, and taken a leaf out of the Jaguar book. It is well proportioned as are Jags. The overall lines are based on the E-type for sure.

@terryeasterday580

2 жыл бұрын

To me it looks like a... Full sized Hot Wheels ! Those Red Line tires... Super Smexy!

@henryfrederick137

2 жыл бұрын

@@donaldhollums3278 ppp]

@donaldhollums3278

2 жыл бұрын

@@henryfrederick137 🤔?

I like how Jay picks interesting cars rather than just the most powerful engines.. Although he has other toys with plenty of extra power, some are just a masterpiece of engineering..

@iamtherealzombie

2 жыл бұрын

Jay has the luxury of owning dozens of cars, some that are hugely powerful, others that handle well and others that are just interesting or unique. Most do not have this luxury, so they go for the more powerful car because it usually is the easiest way to induce a grin whilst driving.

@sunnyray7819

2 жыл бұрын

@@iamtherealzombie I believe you are correct... Most of us, if we can only have one, want pleanty of power...

In a world of misinformation about older cars, Mr Leno is a breath of fresh air. I can’t honestly recall a meaningful misstep in the information he shares. Thank you again!

The 67/68 Firebirds are my favorite. My brother had a 67 400, was an awesome car. Could always tell when he turned into the neighborhood, because you could hear it.

I LIKE the six with your modifications PLUS the handling, braking, and suspension tweaks. I DON'T NEED THE SPEED, I appreciate the balance of power and handling.

This is a very good looking car that does not look like a 53 year old design.

@toyota420xp

2 жыл бұрын

Ya it does

@melvinharvey8279

2 жыл бұрын

@@toyota420xp that is just funny ...i meant mean😆

“Is it fast? No, it’s fast enough!” Perfectly said Jay

@toddstermer

2 жыл бұрын

Jay, you’ll be interested to know that your favorite (?) GM car, the Corvair, also had the cocktail shakers in all four corners of the convertibles.

One thing I love about Jay is he seems to always find that worn part and he upgrades it. It’s nice knowing all the top builders and manufacturers in the area to get your parts made!

@richmonroe203

2 жыл бұрын

Its called "money"

DeLorean was the epitome of a great man... Admittedly flawed (as we all are), but undeniably great.

@carrsllccarrillo6507

2 жыл бұрын

Him, Bunkie Knudson, Jim Wagners, Herb Adams, among others helped GM division #2 stick out from the rest. If wasn't for their contributions to the muscle car era it would of probably be a long history of mediocre cars in the automotive world.

06:06 This was my favorite part of this build in which Jay and his crew had bespoke rocker arms designed and built from scratch. He will go to just about any length to get the job done right. (Of course, he has the financial means to do so... but who wouldn't do the same thing, given the chance?) Yipee! I have been waiting many a full moon for Jay to finish this build. He touched on this Sprint in a few of his restoration blogs (just making my mouth water). I'm soooo pleased he has it finished now. This car would (in my humble.... but some say lovable opinion) be the ultimate daily driver.

@sharkbytecomputer

2 жыл бұрын

I like that Jay just loves all things cars and doesn't go and make everything crazy hotrod's. fix the major flaw of the car, using modern upgrades, but dont make it obvious and keep them mostly stock

@melvinharvey8279

2 жыл бұрын

Me too! I'd still like to do a lightweight 63 nova with a 215 Buick/ Rover etc.

@Schwinn2300

2 жыл бұрын

Even guys with financial means don't have Jay's knowledge and superb appreciation of cars with his ability to make limited but appropriate modifications.

@herrunsinn774

Жыл бұрын

Fast forward 8 months and I still love this video and this car. If I could have my choice of any of his cars (and I couldn't sell it) I would pick this Pontiac Sprint or his '66 Corvair, as they both would make great cars to drive every day and wouldn't put a person into the poor house just buying fuel.

@rogerdodrill4733

26 күн бұрын

​@@melvinharvey8279lots of Vegas have alum 215 .works well, same weight as 4 cyl& front discs that nova lacks I have 1.

I may have watched that exact car roll off the line at Lordstown, Ohio. In 1968 there was a class trip to Lordstown and we ended up the tour at the dyno station where they tested the engine on each car coming off the assembly line. Note, it was a test for Function, not power and was only about 10-20 seconds on the rollers. Anyhow the people at Lordstown called this the Sprint Six and were rather proud of these cars. When I was there I watched a metallic Blue Sprint Six convertible go across the rollers and will always remember that moment. A few years later while working as a gas station mechanic I learned about the weak point of the OHC six and it wasn't the rockers at that time, it was the oil supply to the camshaft bearings. With the low top end oil pressure seized or spun cam bearings were rather typical.

@donaldcampopiano8726

2 жыл бұрын

I had a maroon , lived in ohio and bought from a gm assembler in lordstown in 1976 for $4000, sold it fir 6000 in 1992. Loved the hood tact and hurst shifter; needed high test or it ran weak. 250 hp leaded gas

@opera93

2 жыл бұрын

@@donaldcampopiano8726 thanks, cool…..

@opera93

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks, good points.. I heard that too…. See my other, Comments .. My,Friend really liked*** the SOHC, SPRINTS,TEMPEST /engines of that Set,….

Hi Jay, love your videos! Here is the story on the Firebird dampers you asked about: When Pontiac was given the Camaro chassis to make their Firebird from, their engineers were unhappy with the way the Camaro convertable would shake around at speed. It was late in the development cycle for 1967 so they had to make a quick fix. They used a classical mechanical engineers solution of putting in dampers. They are a weight penalty, but worked very well. I think Chevy saw that solution and started putting them in Camaros too. I quess that today these little known canisters with weights and springs stand as a tribute to the superiority of Firebird over Camaro! A: Concerning vibration dampers. Front dampers weight 25 pounds while the rear dampers weight 50 pounds each and are attached by three bolts. In the trunk there is a support brace between the trunk floor and the trunk gutter (there is re-enforcing frame work under the edge that the brace welds to. One bolt goes through the support brace and the other two go through the trunk floor. Under the trunk floor there is a thick steel plate the has nuts welded to it for damper attachment…usually the nuts are rusted away. Im not sure if the 1968 mountings are different.

Surprising how many people aren't aware of the Pontiac OHC Six, I grew up with one of these. Thanks Jay

@TractorMonkeywithJL

2 жыл бұрын

I remember the Firebirds with sixes, I just didn't remember they were OHC. I had a 1967 hard top with a 326 v8, two speed auto on the column that my parents passed down to me in 1970. It was Coronado Gold with black interior. It was a fun car, but it had terrible brakes. All drums that would heat up and fade on you in a nano second.

The canisters in the back are mass dampers. There is a weight suspended by two springs one on top and one on the bottom the oil is like a shock absorber. It stops oscillations up and down under braking and acceleration as well as from bumps in the road. This makes the car more stable and predictable. I would guess it was a work around to compensate for weight differences as well as the lack of rigidity in the rear from chopping the top off.

@matthewelberson4140

2 жыл бұрын

I think they were called "cocktail shakers".

@richvandervoort2950

2 жыл бұрын

The typical term is tuned mass damper. Tuned mass dampers are fairly common as metal weights with rubber mounts today. My Ram pickup has a couple of these.

@captaintoyota3171

2 жыл бұрын

@@richvandervoort2950 offcially yes but in the day above poster is correct. So you BOTH are correct. Renault F1 used these in 05/06 to win wdc in formula 1

@glennbailey9165

2 жыл бұрын

They were added to remove cowl shake on the convertibles. I retired from General Motors Design Staff.

@gojoe2833

2 жыл бұрын

Corvair convertibles had the same weights...

Beautiful car indeed. My brother had a hardtop version, 3 speed on the column. I could not take my eyes off that car.

Around 1981 a friend of mine pulled into my driveway with a red with black vinyl top 68 Firebird. He opened the hood and there was this OHC straight 6 with a quadrajet carb. I had never heard of a Sprint Firebird before that or seen one for that matter. He still has it today.

My high school band teacher had a Tempest with this engine in 1968. I thought it was cool. Most of my classmates didn't care for it because it did not have a V8. This and the Corvair definitely had a European flair that was absent from most other American cars of the day. Of course, it is now very cool to own these. A great addition to Jay's collection.

@tomstulc9143

2 жыл бұрын

Pat my brothers in an I had and still he have a 66 tempest with the OH 6. it was tire burner. 180 HP with the 2 barrel carb . It's HP raito to weight was better than V8 ,raito.

@Jason.cbr1000rr

2 жыл бұрын

Whats a tempest

@Jason.cbr1000rr

2 жыл бұрын

@@tomstulc9143 did you drive both? How was the handling and what were the differences in all aspects. Thanks 🙂

@bassrun101

2 жыл бұрын

@@Jason.cbr1000rr Originally the 64 Tempest was based on the Chevelle Malibu platform. The GTO was the high-performance upgrade that later became its own stand-alone model. I believe Jay touches on that in the 1964 Pontiac GTO Convertible episode.

@JDAbelRN

2 жыл бұрын

Loved all the Pontiac designs.

I remember reading an article in one of the auto magazines back then, where the took that engine out and put it in a Jaguar XKE. It was a little faster in the quarter mile. Which pleased the American fans to no end.

I had a 68 firebird. Everyone wants a Camero? My dad had a 67 firebird convertible that was painted by Yosemite Sam's shop in Detroit Michigan. What a beautiful car.! Thanks for the video I really appreciate it cuz a lot of people just don't understand what Firebirds all about.

In the 60's this was a absolute dream. A great "SIX", and a four, or five speed transmission, and all the "handling" upgrades…nobody had it. Great fun.

Jay is pumping out the videos and I’m sure we all appreciate it. Yup back in the day 100,000 mile car was done, just wore out.

@777jones

2 жыл бұрын

Yes but 1960s body on frame cars were very repairable and restorable. This car will stay on the road for decades more.

@HypocriticYT

2 жыл бұрын

@@777jones very true but at that time replacing an engine was big bucks. Quite a few at the time were not body on frame but unibody technology.

@HypocriticYT

2 жыл бұрын

68 Firebird is an F body unibody vehicle

@barnabyjones5161

2 жыл бұрын

@@777jones this is a unibody car...

@777jones

2 жыл бұрын

@@barnabyjones5161 i didn’t know, thanks for the info guys!

Well done Jay, have a swim in your cement pond with the misses to celebrate, you've earnt it.

@gordocarbo

2 ай бұрын

Whats that supposed to mean?

I bought a new 1969 Firebird 400HO new. Loaded it up with most options except AC. $3900. Was a really great car, wish I still had it. I remember that OHCsix as well. Went to work for a Pontiac dealership in 1970. Had many high performance Pontiac parts. Had two Pontiac Ram Air V crate engines. Those were my best days. Wish I could live them over again. Am now 77.

My first car was a new 68 Firebird Sprint hardtop in 🍊 orange. I loved it.

Great to see Jay helping keep Pontiac cars alive, there's no group of enthusiasts who have more passion than Pontiac people! Bravo Jay!!

@daveedson8607

2 жыл бұрын

GM committed the unthinkable when they killed the 2 most innovative marques in their stable. Oldsmobile was the grand daddy of US automobiles, and Pontiac was the brand that made kids blood boil. What a shame! They should have taken a page from our Canadian friends and ditched the Chevrolet and made the Pontiac the entry level vehicle.

Fantastic job on the restoration. That Firebird looks like it just shipped from the factory. I love that you kept true to the original color. Gorgeous!

@JasonSimonSmith

2 жыл бұрын

Yeah golly such a great 60s color !

@donphillips5957

2 жыл бұрын

It was always my favorite.

I not only have heard of it, I have ridden in one. My Dad brought one home in early 1969 after his 20 in the Army. He only kept it 2 years but I will never forget it. I always got in trouble scooting between the front eats or between the drivers seat and the B pillar to try and watch the tach. Most of my life people thought I was on drugs talking about the overhead cam Firebird Sprint. I have fond memories of the back country roads we traveled on the way home and sliding across the back seat. I appreciate the devotion you have for that car.

Nice 68 Firebird Sprint And Great Video 👀🤠🇨🇦

I really like this car. It looks right. Preserves its original look. Has the right body and interior colors. Has the sprint engine. The right stance. The 5 speed manual is a perfect choice. The only thing not quite right is the buzzy exhaust note. Needs a different muffler and resonator combination. It looks great going down the road. Those weights in the trunk help with the body shimmy you can get with these bodies. They are mass dampers.

@JasonSimonSmith

2 жыл бұрын

Yeah big second on the rear stabilizer weights. Seeing them there makes a lot of sense on a car like this.

@KingCast65

2 жыл бұрын

Yah I have an 88 BMW 535is with straight SS welded exhaust, one resonator and Magnaflow. I am putting in another resonator to quell that rasp it's annoying. Anyway this car is dope AF. I had forgotten about it.

@SORGIGERMANICO

2 жыл бұрын

So I said it has to do with it not having the roof structure to it that's why they added the weights it was to help with the flex of the body or something, is that why? I swear I watched a video on that somewhere

@patrickshaw8595

2 жыл бұрын

@@SORGIGERMANICO Yes I ran Turbo Corvair Convertibles and they had those Mass Dampers. I have copied the work of other machinists in incorporating "Absolute Dampers" (their correct engineering term) into boring bars (cutting tools used by a lathe to bore true holes) too.

@davidphelps214

2 жыл бұрын

they call those mass dampers "cocktail shakers" in automotive lingo

Perfect interior and exterior colours, those original wheels were a great design then and still look great today. G.M. sure had great designers in the 60's. Beautiful restoration ,awesome car Jay.

@daveedson8607

2 жыл бұрын

That was when GM had car nuts in charge instead of bean counters who wouldn't know an overhead cam (or any cam) from a toilet plunger, and probably didn't know how to use the plunger.

I always love seeing Jay's child like enthusiasm & love for every car he shows.

Loved the article in Hemmings.

I can honestly say that I am overly familiar with this motor. My buddy in high school had a 66 Tempest Sprint. Just a three speed, but I thought it was a V8. Then a girlfriend in high school had a 67 Tempest Sprint convertible. Nice car! This was California. I later learned that this motor was available in the Firebird, Not very popular, as everyone wanted a V8. Ended up owning Series One and Series Two Camaros with the six. As you say, you just didn't see these vehicles. When I got married in the late 1980s, I found out my late father -n law had been a mechanic at the Pontiac dealer in Salinas CA. His specialty was the Pontiac OHC Six. He still had all the factory manuals! Unfortunately, I was not able to acquire them before his passing, and have no idea what my late mother in law did with them. Great job Jay!

It's been my favorite car since it came out in '67 when I was 9 years old! Seeing one now is always a treat. I've always wanted one.

WHATA A BEAUTIFUL CAR FROM ALL ANGLES AND THAT ICE BLUE COLOUR , PERFECTION

Love this car! My pops had a 67 convertible. I have fond memories of it during the late 60s riding with the top down around PR.

This is the type of car that I like watching videos of. I'm glad that the stock appearance was retained and the mods are hidden and the original character of the car retained. Great restoration.

A truly underrated piece of GM engineering. These engines are rare as hens teeth these days. Most had v8s swapped in and the 230I6 ended up in the scrap.

@TheKiltedYaksman1

2 жыл бұрын

250, not 230, but you're probably still right.

@leebarnes655

2 жыл бұрын

The 250 made it debut in 68 and had it's swan song after 69 along with DeLorean getting the boot. The 230 was around for maybe 3 years prior to it's swan song in 68. I'm thinking one could get one in the tempest at first.

It's always good having the Singer engine guys doing your work.

so good to see the Sprint get it's due. First time I saw one was in a salvage yard back in the early 70s. We would go to Leons used auto parts in Culpepper whenever we needed stuff and that's how i learned the difference in years and models of cars. Nice to see this one better than new!

I love this car! I didn't know there were 2 versions of this engine. Growing up a friend's mother had this engine (I don't know which version) in a LeMans rag top with a 4 speed. I got to drive the car a couple of times and rode as a passenger a ton of times. As Jay said in regard to the Firebird, the engine was perfect for the car and not overwhelming. It handled surprisingly well and for the day it stopped well. I had a lot of memories associated with this car and this video brought them all back! Thanks Jay!

@BuzzLOLOL

2 жыл бұрын

I think there were about 6 versions of this engine: 215", 230". 250" times 2 and 4 bbl. carb.s...

Gorgeous car. ❤

Great show Jay, I never heard of this Firebird, what a beauty. You are right the first generation Firebird was the best looking pony car in that era. This one is so unusual, I think you perfected it with the resto-modifications, it's more of a sports car with the upgrades and rebuilt inline 6.

GREAT story about the mostly unsung Pontiac OHC Sprint - I've been looking for one even since a high school friend had a Firebird convertible in 1968!

My new second favorite car of Jay's. I'm still waiting for him to show off that beautiful 1938 Bugatti Atlantic Electron Coupe that I see in the background of so many of his videos. That's been my favorite car since I was eleven. Couldn't happen to a better guy.

A beautiful car with timeless styling, 54 years on! And Jay's 'resto mods' clearly discreet enough to make it a real sleeper…Sad that the US doesn't have a 'national living treasure' like in UK; Jay well deserves such an acknowledgment!

My granddad would’ve been proud as he was a Pontiac man! He owned several during the time John DeLorean ran that brand including a 65-67 GTO!

That SPRINT is done perfectly! Looks absolutely beautiful...thankz Jay....

Ive always prefered the firebird/trans am over the camaro. This is a beauty.

@rogerdodrill4733

26 күн бұрын

Except 93/ 97 trans ams got kinda wild w plastic body add ons that Camaro was lacking

This brings back memories of the first times I went cruising at 16 years old in my friend's fathers Firebird in the late 1970's. I know it had the 6 cylinder but I don't think it was the Sprint (no hood tach and auto trans). I do remember we had to wedge a folded matchbook into the 8-track player to get it to play KISS albums.

@pontiaddict2992

2 жыл бұрын

The hood tach was optional on any Firebird for extra cost. It could've been a Sprint model as they also could be ordered with an automatic transmission. I've seen automatic Sprint 6's with no tach.

That's a good looking straight six. Pre 73 straight sixes are rock reliable and so easy and fun to maintain, repair and modify.

Having been born in Pontiac Michigan and growing up 10 miles north of the city, my friends and I were steeped in Pontiac culture (plus we saw all of the test mules being tested around town). As such, we saw plenty of the OHC Sprints around, and thought there were quite cool. Yes, 326/350 engines were more popular with the go fast set, but...these cars were so unique and well designed. Thanks for bringing this one back to its full potential.

ALWAYS wanted one of these and remember one down the street from me growing up in the early 60’s, 70’s It wasn’t the Sprint but color and convertible same. Life gets in the way when you’re not rich. I’d want the V8 because that’s American!! Regardless great car with any engine.

I knew this day would come eventually and I have been looking forward to it.. I think what you have done to this car is exactly what I would have. Make it safer and a little more fun to drive. Thanks Jay for the continuing our education in classic car 101.

I think this is my favorite episode I don't know how many times I've watched it thank you Mr Leno I really really enjoy this car

When I lived in Florida I knew of a guy who had one. He'd bring it to a weekly car show they had in town. It was a cool car to see and hear about. That inline-6 had some balls.

Another beautiful restoration by Jay and his crew of automotive magicians. Very tastefully done with just the right modifications to make it better that new.

I really appreciate the spirit of the smaller, lighter engine resulting in a sweeter handling driving experience. I recently got a 2010 Mercedes SL 350, lighter 6 cylinder engine + steel spring suspension (no ABC airbag suspension), much lighter in the nose and all the more enjoyable to drive as result.

I Got A Blue 67 Firebird Sprint OHC 3.8 It's My Favorite Of All The Cars I've Owned .🤠🇨🇦

What a lovely baby! My Dad had a '68 Le Man's that I learned how to drive on, it was a lovely dark red, with black leather seats. I had a chance to drive a '68 Firebird, but I turned it down, did not have enough experience driving standard transmission.I am still kicking myself in the butt for not taking the opportunity.

I really like how well you handled this gem of a car's restoration with mild, but very worthwhile up-dating tweaks. I remember as a teenager myself, in a small Canadian midwest-prairie town, a local fellow owning one of these rarities. He owned a coupe version of this sweet little OHC straight 6 Firebird. Indeed, a truly tasteful treatment of a true classic. :)

At last! I've been following this car right through your restoration episodes. A brilliant if unappreciated concept. And you are more than forgiven for the thoughtfully applied "restomod" upgrades. There's a lot to be said for being able to use "all the power all the time." A brilliant classic episode!

With the Red line tires, , I had that in a Hot Wheel. Back when I was 12 and , both the XKE and Firebird were my dream cars.

That's an astonishingly beautiful car.

Never knew about the overhead cam and I’m a huge Pontiac guy. What a beautiful car, so glad it stayed original (especially the wheels). Some resto-mods tend to butcher history

This was a build I have been following and waiting for like a pre-teen enthralled with the latest boy-band video. No disappointment. I absolutely love the color, look and stance of the Firebird. I was not familiar with the 4.1 engine so I find this type of car history fascinating. Thanks Mr. Leno for bringing a great car back and making it better than stock. I would love to see this one judged by the Europeans that normally look down on our super-powered, poor handling rides.

@James-oo1yq

2 жыл бұрын

This European would love to judge it. Where do I pick up the keys? 😁👍🏼

@trenchtown69

2 жыл бұрын

European here - long time listener/first time poster. I was pleasantly surprised when Jay started listing the merits of the V6, as you Americans tend to get a little worked up when a car will fit a V8. This to me is the exact opposite of the 1968 Camaro 427 COPO episode, which was more of the same. Rare, yes, pedigree, sure, but special? Idk, this seems more like my cup of tea.

@stephenholland5930

2 жыл бұрын

@@trenchtown69 It's an inline 6.

My stepmother had a Tempest with this 6 cylinder Sprint set-up. It was a great handling car. At the time the family car was a 1966 Plymouth Fury II with a 383 V8 and automatic transmission. This was 1969 and I was 17. My car was a '64 Buick Special with a 225 ci slant 6 with 3 speed manual column shift. Ugh!

In 1968 I talked my (late) Mom into buying a "base" 6- cyl Firebird hardtop (red exterior and black interior), and our Pontiac dealership was right next to our High School, so pretty obviour since Camaro's and Firebird's were really popular, and then when she bought the '68 hardtop Firebird, she traded in our Chev Convair Monza hardtop (circa 1965 ?), so having a Firebird (bult in our hometown, too) was a big leap of faith ! My late Mom didn't like how low-slung the Firebird was (being a sports-car, naturally), so during late 1970 she traded the Firebird in to the Pontiac dealership to purchase a Pontiac Grand Prix (white with black exterior).

Another John Delorean brainchild was the Cosworth Vega. 1975-76 Vega with a double overhead cam, fuel injection, upgraded suspension, tons of fun, but not a great commercial success because it cost as much as a corvette and did not perform as well. DeLorean and the other designers wanted the car to have much more horsepower, but in the early seventies they were forces to reduce the emissions by dropping the compression ratio and using cam timing with minimal overlap. The aluminum engine block had no iron sleeves and the cylinder bores would wear out just like on the normal Vega 4 cylinder engine. For the mid seventies this car had some very unique features, light and agile with acceptable power, which make it a good package for the time. The engines can be modified to produce good power. I wonder if Jay would ever showcase this car? There might be 2200ish left.

@TheTussman

2 жыл бұрын

And the 1976 Cos-Vega was the fastest 0-60 car in America that year accd. to Motor Trend. Fun to drive, but everything was slow in that era.

@pissoff234

2 жыл бұрын

I own a 76 cosworth #2253

I've been waiting to see this car finished and featured - beautiful. The colors are eye-catching and the mods are done wonderfully. I heard about these engines as a kid, but only recall seeing one in a Tempest.

What a beautiful car!

Growing up in the 60s and 70s you got to see virtually everything made by most car manufacturers at one point or another. I've seen exactly ONE of these Firebird Sprints with the overhead cam 6 in real life. On the other hand GT500 Shelby's, real Cobras, L88 Corvettes, Hemi anything, no problem running into those in real life. In fact, I've seen more 215 aluminum V8's from GM Olds or Buick (head bolt quantity difference) or even Rovers than this OHV Pontiac. It's a rare find and I'm glad this car went to someone who didn't put an LS in it and call it a day. Thanks Jay...

@thebigpicture2032

2 жыл бұрын

The oiling was a real problem with the lifters worn by 20k so they were often pulled and replaced with a V8. I’ve owned two, one which had the lifters done and ran great and the other had a Chevy V8 put in it and I wouldn’t have known it was a Sprint car without PHS documentation.

Great restoration. It is so nice to see a different take on classic cars with a performance six and handling instead of the standard v8 straight line muscle car. My brother and I both have 6 cylinder mustangs and they definitely give a different feel and sound than the v8 cars. When a car is set up right with good weight distribution and balanced and not overpowered it allows you as a driver to have more confidence. It is fun to have too much power for a chassis but we all have seen what happens with novice drivers and v8 mustangs spin out. Thanks for all your videos Jay! I love my 4.0 overhead cam six cylinder mustang. I can see you really appreciate the six cylinder firebird sprint. It really means something when a guy can appreciate all types of cars and not just the popular ones. Sometimes the rare cars were unappreciated but still fun in their own way.

I owned my first OHC6 Sprint in 1968 when I was in the Air Force at Travis AFB in California. It was a 1966 Tempest Sprint with a Saginaw 4spd (that I did not care for). I sold it in 1969 when I bought a 1970 Plymouth Duster 340 Automatic. Then when I got out the service and went back to Portland, OR ; I found another 1966 Tempest Sprint and traded my Duster for the Sprint. I put a Holley 650 4 barrel carb. on it with headers and a M21 Muncie 4spd. I still miss it.

I love the sound of this car! It never ceases to amaze me the knowledge and passion that Jay has for his cars!

I just really love this car! I have had a persistent curiosity about this car. I have always tuned in for your shop updates on this specific car. Thank you for sharing it with us again.

It's definitely a head turner. Very clean lines and paint. Very nice project Jay, nicely done!

@stevebeecher2076

Жыл бұрын

I would say it's good way to have money in the bank with muscle cars even if you dive around feeling good its gives you a rush just keeping under the max speed limeit

Actually I was part of a 50 caravan of 3/4 USA Army trucks that has been just unloaded at the port of Pusan Korea heading for 2nd infantry division on the DMZ in 1968, the 3/4 where for replacement for the older vehicles that you would see in M.A.S.H as ambulances. Some of GIs car bugs mention that this was a new Pontiac engine. Believe the vehicles were international harvesters pickups.. it was the first and last time had the chance to drive one since we only had the older vehicles at my company. Really nice smooth powerful engine..

I’ve always been a fan of the firebird! That firebird looks absolutely amazing! Thanks for sharing Jay!

I've been looking forward to you finishing this restoration since you first got it and, boy, was it worth the wait. Wow, it just sits so perfect. I always loved the way the rear side marker light is shaped like the Pontiac logo. I vividly remember the OHC six and always thought it was a really cool engine. It still is. This just jumped up to my top five cars in the Jay Leno collection along with the '66 7 Litre, the hemi Dodge Coronet and a couple other American cars. Thanks Jay, you really made my day.

@leebarnes655

2 жыл бұрын

That rear side marker is 68 exclusive.

I've been waiting so long for you guys to finish this car! Always great to see stuff that's different.

Boy does this bring back memories. In late July, 1968 I came home from Germany, had 30 days leave en route to Vietnam (anybody remember that sorry war?), which I spent at home with my folks in Dallas. Mom and Dad thought i'd enjoy the Hemisfair, in San Antonio and we went down. Nice visit, yes. When we got back home after a couple of days, I looked at the cars the dealers had, and in the B-O-P dealer in Oak Cliff, I encountered a Firebird Sprint convertible, just like yours except for the color. Bright red, white top, red interior. If i hadn't been on the way to Vietnam, I think i might have bought it. Got home and decided to keep the VW 1600 I'd bought in Germany and Dad had taken care of while i was gone. I still wish I'd bought that Firebird. Oh well. C.W. howard.

Very well done Jay!! Love this video. Keep them coming please! We all love and look forward to your videos. Thank you!

A beautiful rare and stylish car, kudos to the restorers. All it needs now is a decent sounding exhaust.

Dang, and I thought I knew about every Detroit car. Really beautiful car. Right color, right options, right size wheels (with red lines!), interior color, wood steering wheel. Just perfect!

Best collection ever, love the diversity and range of different types and models

I love it for so many reasons . I suppose it’s a example of what could have been instead of what was . I remember a guy with a Pontiac lemans with a similar engine as a kid . Straight six is such a smooth engine . The original firebird is such a great looking car . Lighter better on gas and just a rarity now a scarcity. Awesome episode

Such a sweet, smooth ride! Jay knows how to pick them. I enjoyed this one immensely, so much so, that I quickly took the opportunity to view it again. 👌

gorgeous simplicity

When I was little my dad was a service manager of the Pontiac -Cadillac dealer in our town. I remember him griping about how nobody was going to buy this 6 when like Jay said, you could get the big V-8 and have less trouble than that overcomplicated 6 cylinder. But my dad hated new things unless he could see the upside right away. With the Sprint at that time he didn't. I love the late 6's firebird especially Jays! A gorgeous car!!

This is my all-time favorite Firebird body style, like you mention, as the generations of a model progress, they tend to get heavier and stodgier. I went to HS (early 1970's) with a guy who owned a hardtop version of this car, with the straight 6 and the three speed. Not much on fast, but it did handle nicely. I think a good restomod for this car would be using one of the aluminum block V6's that you find in the base Camaro's, along with the suspension mods like you made. Should be a pretty quick car. I wonder why, when the overhead cam head was designed for this straight-six, they didn't go for a cross-flow head, or like you mentioned, a twin cam setup (which would have worked well with cross-flow). Probably did the least they could to re-engineer the original head in order to add an overhead cam to keep development cost down. The weights in back must be for vibration/resonance control, they don't make much sense for front/rear weight balance since it seems they would make the car oversteer-happy if the suspension wasn't changed when using the lighter straight-6 versus a heavier V8. Very nice car, Jay, you did your usual knock-it-out-of-the-park restoration, and saved one of GM's lesser-known jewels.

@pontiaddict2992

2 жыл бұрын

The "cocktail shakers" as they were referred to had been placed in all four corners of all 1st Gen convertibles to dampen body flex and vibration not found in the hard tops. It had a heavy weight and spring assembly suspended in oil. In the early 60 Pontiac engineered a dual overhead cam 421 so they knew their way around the OHC setup but were trying to keep the costs down so it would be approved. That's why the rotating assembly was borrowed from the chevy 6.

@w41duvernay

2 жыл бұрын

Pontiac was going to do the roller followers, but found out the cost of them in production would have been too much, so they went to the cam followers that were in the Sprint ohc 6.

@Jason.cbr1000rr

2 жыл бұрын

Did he get a lot of chicks?? Girls? Hows he been is he alive and well?

That is the coolest Firebird I think I've ever seen, it kind of looks to me like a super econo version of a Jaguar XKE straight six. Must be rare. I never even knew that car existed. You did a good job on the level of restoration by not going overboard and still nailing it perfectly. You own and have shown so many rare American muscle era style cars and make them great fun to watch with all your extensive technical research done on each and every vehicle. Thanks again Jay for another great show. What's next?

@Sheisthedevilyouknowwho-ft9we

9 ай бұрын

Think I've read more than once, the fiberglass reinforced belt for the overhead cam, was so over-designed for strength, there's never been a documented case of one breaking; it ended up being 10 times stronger than the specs said it needed to be. And guys who own them say 6500+ rpm no problem. It loves to rev. A guy at a car show that had one in a LeMans said he got 24 mpg; keep in mind the 66-67 was a 230 cid, the 68'69 was a 250cid, and rear differential ratios change things drastically.