From SMOKE SIGNALS Feb, 2000 By Larry Hegstsad
This is the story of a real family car, a flashy red Firebird that we purchased when I was just out of college. It took us on our honeymoon, and drove us in style for over nineteen years. The story began in 1967 when I had just graduated from Forestry school at the University of Minnesota. Ford had introduced America to the pony cars with its 1964 Mustang, and other manufactures hit the showroom floor in early 1967 and I was primed for a new set of wheels. My thirty five dollar "56" Ford Business Coupe was falling off its frame and could hardly get me to the dealers shop and to dream. By then I had settled on the Firebird, and shortly after my employment with thte State Division of Forestry I was scheduled to be at a three day fire fighter training session in Grand Rapids, Minnesota. It just so happened that my uncle had the Pontiac dealership in town, and on his lot were two beautiful Firebirds. After watching me pace around the red coupe for a couple od days he drew up the papers and made me an offer I couldn't refuse. For $2750.00 I could drive it home. That included my Ford as a trade -in which he promptly told me to remove from his lot as an automotive embarrassment. Thus began my lifelong love affair with a Pontiac classic. But things were a bit tight financially in 1967. My pay was low, just over $300 a month, and Uncle Sam had his eye on me. I got my draft notice in September and my wife and I were married in November. We thought about selling the car but by then my wife was working as a registered nurse. To this day she claims the only reason I married her was to make the care payments. I entered military service in January 1968, and after basic training was shipped to Ft. Sill in Lawton Oklahoma. It looked like I might be stationed there for a while so my wife drove the "Bird" south and we moved into an apartment off post. Often times she needed the car so I'd hitch a ride in the morning and she'd pick me up in the afternoon. When driving onto the base it was amusing if she were to meet a troop bus and all the soldiers would rush to one side, almost capsizing the bus as they caught a glimps of a young chick in a mini skirt behind the wheel of a sporty red Firebird. I always let her believe that they were really just looking at her. But alas, Ft. Sill was not to be the epitome of my military career. I soon had orders for Viet Nam and shipped out in October of 1968. My wife and car went North to spend the second of many tough Minnesota winters.
After my discharge from the Army in late "69", I was assigned to a ranger station in a very small northern Minnesota community. Fortunatly for the Firebird, the station had a heated shop so on weekends I could give it a good wash, oil change, and whatever TLC it needed. My infatuation with the Firebird hadn't waned and by this time I had come to the conclusion that I would never part with this beauty. I had heard enough regretful stories of guys selling or trading their cars only to wish they had them back. Futhermore my car was still turning heads and I had numerous request to let people, especially young folks,when my "bird" would be for sale. NOT A CHANCE! Life settled into a routine of work, trips to the delivery room, family vacations, and career transfers around the state. Over the years the Firebird continues to perform, look sharp and provide us with a fun car to drive. Ironically, that very performance and attatchment, lead to its extended service far beyond normal automovtive expectations for the day. Finally after more than 19 years, and almost a 168,000 miles, we gave the Firebird a rest.
Now it was time to plan and save for the restoration project. The old 'bird waited patiently for replacement parts, many of which were obtained from the local Pontiac dealer, and for the time it would take to turn the clock to June, 1967. The kids were approaching collage age and there were other priorities for a limited budget. I did pull the engine, repair the radio, strip the interior, and did as much mechanical work as I could. Of course every layer I peeled off just revealed more wear and tear from all those years and miles. Eventually the Body work was started, but then came another transfer. That meant more delays, a new house, and finding another restoration shop. Yet the vision and goal remained: To restore the Firebird to it's original condition. And since I was the only owner there was never a question as to it's original condition.Incidently, I did find the build sheet tucked under the springs of the back seat.
Finally in the spring of 1998, with the body and mechanical work done,emblems replaced,new carpeting laid, and thirty one years, it rolled off the lot,she was ready for a trial run. The summer of '98 was a lot of fun. The 'bird needed some fine tuning, but Thursday nights were reserved for cruising, and the car shows yeilded a few trophies as confidence builders. The off season gave me a chance to really put the finishing touches on her with a reconditioned steering wheel and a new set of red line tires. As the new millenium dawns we look forward to more road trips, more family gatherings,and car shows. We may pick a few more trophies and awards, but the real joy and satisfaction comes from the admiring glances, the friendly conversations, and the astonished looks we get as the folks page through the photos and come across the old wedding pictures and see a young cople standing there beside the brand new Firebird with the words "Just Married" neatly lettered on the rear desk. Yes that's us. and we're all still together. This is really a one owner, one of the family firebird.
This photo was taken at the PBVAC's spring dust off cruise May 2003
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