As a lifelong fan of the 1974 Pontiac Firebird, it’s painful to see what happened in a recent viral video. Some idiot, behind the wheel of my dream car, decided to show off in the middle of an intersection, and the result? A beloved classic muscle car smashed into a light pole. It’s a sight no Firebird enthusiast wants to witness.
This hits especially close to home for me. Years ago, I had to sell my own 1974 Firebird due to a dire family medical emergency. Letting it go was heartbreaking, but seeing one wrecked in the hands of someone who didn’t appreciate its value makes it even worse.
The footage, uploaded to social media, shows a stunning 1974 Pontiac Firebird lined up at a stoplight alongside a 1970 Chevy Chevelle SS and a Chevy Camaro. These three beauties had clearly just left a car meet, catching the attention of onlookers eager for a quick show of horsepower. But instead of driving away like a responsible owner of such a rare car, the driver of the Firebird decided to burn rubber with a few reckless donuts.
Of course, as these things tend to go, it didn’t end well. Just as the Firebird tried to speed off, the driver lost control. The car veered sharply, slammed head-first into a light pole, and left the front end a mangled mess. The left headlight was shattered, the grille was crushed, and the hood looked like it had been pushed back into the windshield. It’s a heartbreaking scene for any Firebird lover, especially considering how rare and difficult these cars are to find today.
It’s infuriating to think that this classic, a car I once owned and still dream about, was in the hands of someone who didn’t respect it enough to treat it with care. While showing off might seem fun in the moment, this careless driver not only wrecked a piece of automotive history but also ruined the day for everyone who cherishes these iconic machines. Luckily, no one was hurt, but this Firebird may never be the same.
Shawn Henry