The first-generation Firebirds had a characteristic "coke-bottle" styling. Unlike the Camaro, its bumpers were integrated into the design of the front end and its rear "slit" taillights were inspired by the Pontiac GTO. Both a two-door hardtop and a convertible were offered until the 1969 model year.
   It was released five months after its Camaro twin and usually cost around $500 more. Unsurprisingly, the Firebird was outsold by the Camaro.
   The base model had a 230 in³ (3.8 L) OHC six-cylinder, single-barrel carburetor motor developing 165 bhp (123 kW). The next model, the Sprint, had a four-barrel carburetor, developing 215 bhp (160 kW). Most buyers opted for the V8s: the 326 in³ (5.3 L) two-barrel 250 bhp (186 kW, the 'H.O.' (High Output) engine of the same size but with a four-barrel carburetor 285 bhp (213 kW), or the 400 in³ (6.6 L) from the GTO 325 bhp (242 kW). A Ram Air option was available, with hood scoops and stronger valve springs. The 230 in³ (3.8 L) engines were replaced by 250 in³ (4.1 L) ones, developing 175 bhp (130 kW) single barrel, and 215 bhp (160 kW) four-barrel. An H.O. version of the 400 in³ (6.6 L) was offered from 1968, with a revised cam, and developed 330 bhp (246 kW), while power output on the other engines increased marginally. In 1969, a $725 optional handling package called the Trans Am Performance and Appearance Package was introduced, with GM paying $5 to the SCCA for every car sold. Of these first Trans Ams, 689 hardtops and eight convertibles were made. There was an additional Ram Air IV engine option for the 400 in³ that year to complement the Ram Air II; these generated 345 and 335 bhp respectively.
   Despite the 1969 model year being the last of this generation, production in fact went into 1970, totalling 17 months, due to problems with the 1970s.
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