Father's passion for sports car is contagious

Keith Van Sickle faced a tough dilemma. He was picking out a new car - sounds simple, right? But not in the summer of 1967 when there was an abundance of hot stuff available on dealer lots.

Van Sickle narrowed his choice to two compelling and near identical machines: a Chevrolet Camaro or Pontiac Firebird. Both GM models had just debuted and the savvy shopper was torn between them.

Part of his stress was attributed to happy news. His wife, Victoria, had just become pregnant with their second child. Their trusty but tiny Triumph TR4 wasn't going to cut it anymore.

"Dad knew this would be his last sports car for a while," recalls Kyle Van Sickle, their firstborn son. "He wanted it to be fun but also usable for his growing family."

After much thought, Keith headed to his local Pontiac showroom. There he ordered a 1967 Firebird convertible. What tipped his decision? The doors. Keith thought the Firebird's doors sounded more solid and secure when pushed closed. The new father wanted his passengers safe, but he wasn't opposed to attracting attention, too. He selected Mayfair Yellow paint and an unusual engine called the Sprint 6.

The first couple of years the 'Bird was the family hauler as well as Keith's commuter. He was a chemical salesman and made frequent calls to clients around their home in King of Prussia, Pennsylvania. "He drove to New York, Connecticut and other surrounding states," Kyle said of his father. "He racked up some good miles those first few years."

A job promotion brought on a company car in 1969, leaving the Firebird all to Victoria, his wife. She was less than thrilled. "She seldom drove it," Kyle said. "There was no power steering and it had a heavy clutch."

Kyle fondly recalls his mother begrudgingly putting concrete blocks in the trunk for added weight and traction during the wintry months. However, things warmed up for the Van Sickles in 1972 when the family relocated to sunny southern California.

By then the family of three had grown to a family of five and a Dodge Maxivan was brought into the fold to provide primary transportation. The family moved to Elburn in 1979 and the next major milestone in the Firebird's story took place in 1987. Kyle, now a junior at Eastern Illinois University, got a job as a painter and needed a set of wheels to accept a higher manager position. Whatever he drove needed to be capable of hauling along a trailer full of painting supplies.

"Shockingly, Dad not only let me use the car but allowed me to mount a hitch, too," Kyle said. In 1990, he graduated and put his painting days behind him. Keith eagerly took the car back from his son and wasted no time in ditching the hitch.

Kyle's father also had the car repainted and had a new top, tires and exhaust system installed. In 1998, Kyle moved into his own family home with a large garage, leading Keith to let his son have the Firebird back permanently.

Kyle's interest in the family heirloom has only grown with each passing day. Now living in St. Charles, he's passed on his passion to his two kids, Mitch and Maddie, who love the Pontiac, too.

"(My father) chose it carefully," Kyle said. "I feel privileged to have dad's car."

• Share your car's story with Matt at auto@dailyherald.com.