A true heirloom, Ben Miller’s 1967 Pontiac Firebird has been in the family since his grandmother Doratha “June” Miller purchased it as a two-year-old used car in 1969. It was her daily driver for decades, before Ben’s dad Jim took it over and transformed it into a show winning machine.
The ’67 F-body was originally motivated by a 326ci Pontiac V8 with a 2-bbl carburetor, backed by a two-speed automatic trans. It was also equipped with factory air conditioning and optional Pontiac Deluxe interior, complementing blue paint with a black vinyl top.
Ben got his hands on the classic ‘Bird around 2019, and that’s when the transformation began. The Pontiac was stripped to a bare shell and rebuilt with all the modern touches. “Me and my dad did pretty much everything, except for the bodywork and paint,” Ben told us. “We pulled the 326 and two-speed, the interior, the front subframe, and the rear and leaf springs out of the car.”
Modernization now comes from an LS1 powerplant that was improved with a cold-air intake, Trick Performance camshaft and Holley headers. Behind the LS is a GM 4L60 transmission and a 10-Bolt rear. Ben was sure to mention that the ‘Bird is equipped with a Holley transmission crossmember and accessory drive.
The Firebird’s handling and ride was improved with Ridetech air suspension that gets the Pontiac lower to the ground. Ben and his dad then added late-model sport side mirrors, and they chose a monochromatic look for the trim, which looks classy on this classic.
Jason Day is responsible for the outstanding application of the Silver Ice paint, which is set off by the U.S. Mags multispoke wheels wrapped in Nitto NT555 tires. Day finished it off by customizing the Firebird emblems.
The modernization theme carries to the interior with Corbeau buckets and a Alcantara-wrapped steering wheel on a tilt-column, Dakota Digital gauges, and a modified console with cup holder. In keeping with the beautiful Pontiac design, he chose a Shiftworks Shifter that has a factory look, but operates the overdrive trans, and he retained the Deluxe door panels.
“We named the car ‘June’ after my grandmother,” says Ben. “It’s a family project and we love bringing it here to LS Fest from our home in Owensboro. This event has a great atmosphere – we’ve been coming for 10 or 11 years,” he says. The 49-year-old insurance adjuster was sure to thank his dad and two boys, Brady and Alex, for all their help in preserving and enjoying this family jewel.
