HPP: How difficult was it to build the Singer home entertainment units into the Superteen Firebirds?
GB: Home entertainment units? (Laughter) That's exactly what they were. Everything was a custom operation. It wasn't formed to fit into the cars. There was no budget to do that, but they wanted it to be visual as an open home entertainment unit in the back seat.
HPP: What happened to the Super-teen Firebird brand name after the Sounds of '68 TV special?
GB: The Superteen Firebird was so popular that I began making parts for the aftermarket; customizing kits using Superteen Firebird components that dealers could put on Firebirds rather than shipping their customers' Firebirds way out here to California.
HPP: The Superteen Firebird was also chosen as a model kit, manufactured by Model Products Corporation (MPC). Why did MPC manufacture a hatch-roof Superteen Firebird model kit, when the giveaway Superteen Firebirds were convertibles?
GB: MPC had existing tooling for a hatch-roof model kit. We never built a hatch-roof Superteen Firebird.
HPP: What do you think of the Superteen Firebird almost 40 years after you created it?
GB: The Superteen Firebird was a major success. It was more famous than the TV show's host Ed Ames and its special guest Aretha Franklin. And the model kit was one of the best selling ones that MPC ever made. This type of a car is such a collectible. It means more to the people who are into collecting unique, high-profile cars than a million dollars because they love to have them.
HPP: Is Pontiac ready for another "Superteen" creation, perhaps a GTO or a Firebird, or one of the new G-series cars?
GB: I think it would be a very popular retro-style limited edition car today. Since classic styling is prevalent on the Mustang and the upcoming Camaro and Challenger, I feel Pontiac could also join the marketplace with a GTO or Firebird.
Superteen Firebird Amenities
Hood with full-length air scoops Custom hood tach housing Front body split bumperettes "Hawk's nose"-style front fascia Custom headlight assemblies/grilles with Cibie-type headlights Frontal area of the fenders bobbed and canted Brake cooling ducts High-performance three-piece adjustable rear spoiler Full sequential taillights Hurst mag wheels Firestone GT F70x14 tires Custom exhaust with non-functional side pipes Racing-style quick-release gas cap Rear body split bumperettes Silver Metallic Flake custom paint with cut glass for a "shimmering" look Custom vinyl graphics package Singer home entertainment unit cabinetry finished in hand-rubbed walnut replaced the lower portion of the rear seat and included portable AC/DC television with mobile antenna, typewriter, stereo/record player, Muntz tape recorder and playback system and stereo tape deck cartridge music system, stereo speakers and storage system.