1967
Pontiac Firebird 400
Use the photographs to explore materials and details. Equipment and restored finishes can differ from the version in your book.
Colours used
in this example.
A practical palette for the indicative finished example. Build colour gradually and keep the small details clear.
Suggested pencil shades, not exact factory paint matches. Test colours on your paper before building richer layers.
Build two or three light layers along the panels. Leave a narrow paper highlight beside the strongest body crease.
Keep the cabin slightly darker than the glass. Follow the seat divisions without filling every seam with black.
Keep the brightest strips white. Put a narrow cool grey band beside them to suggest reflected light.
Layer charcoal gently around the sidewalls. Preserve lettering and any whitewall areas before deepening the rubber.
Use light, open pencil strokes. Keep this area softer than the car and preserve clear edges around the mechanical detail.
Use light, open pencil strokes. Keep this area softer than the car and preserve clear edges around the mechanical detail.
Look a little closer.
Explore the details from different angles.
Reference photograph 1
Light blue 400 hardtop photographed on a road. The divided front grille and long bonnet are clearly visible. Image resized and converted to WebP.
Photo: Riley from Christchurch, New Zealand · Source · CC BY 2.0Reference photograph 2
Red 400 Ram Air hardtop viewed from the front corner. Twin bonnet openings and the dark-centred wheels are clear. Image resized and converted to WebP.
Photo: Sicnag · Source · CC BY 2.0Reference photograph 3
White 400 coupe photographed from a low front corner. A dark roof and bonnet-mounted tachometer contrast with the pale body. Image resized and converted to WebP.
Photo: Matt Morgan from Alameda · Source · CC BY-SA 2.0Comparison photograph 4
Gold 400 convertible seen from the front side. The black folded hood and dark wheel centres contrast with the gold paint. Image resized and converted to WebP.
Photo: MercurySable99 · Source · CC BY-SA 4.0Comparison photograph 5
Rear three-quarter view of the gold 400 convertible. Four narrow tail lamps and a chrome bumper define the rear. Image resized and converted to WebP.
Photo: MercurySable99 · Source · CC BY-SA 4.0Period finishes and details
Pontiac’s 1967 Firebird build information provides a firm starting palette. Regimental Red, Starlight Black and Cameo Ivory appear in the factory exterior list. The same document distinguishes standard interior choices from the Custom Option and records additional spring colours. Use the selected body colour consistently while retaining the drawing’s small badges. Detailed 400-specific badge colours and bonnet accents were not established by the colour chart and need a separate close reference.
- Regimental RedBodywork option
- Starlight BlackBodywork option
- Cameo IvoryBodywork option
Screen swatches are a colouring guide rather than exact paint matches.
Use 400-specific identification where present in the drawing. Do not infer stripe equipment from the exterior-colour chart.
In the photographs
The photographs show individual cars in their present condition. Their paint, wheels and trim can reflect restoration or later choices. Use the dated finish references above when aiming for a period scheme. Convertible body style instead of the featured hardtop.
In the coloured example
The pencil example uses cranberry red. It is a creative interpretation, not an exact paint-code match. Use the photographed trim for material cues while keeping the outlines and composition of your book page.
Make the details count.
Plan the Firebird’s divided nose before adding strong colour. Work from a light first layer so that the panel boundaries remain clear.
Finish the headlamp rings and bonnet openings with a sharp pencil. Preserve small white highlights so these details stay separate from the surrounding paint.
Keep the lakeside boat-ramp car park with a small timber jetty distant in quieter tones. A lighter background gives the car’s silhouette room to stand out.
Follow your curiosity.
Model history and further reading.