Disclosure: This site may receive compensation when you click on some links and make purchases.

Poncho Garage Project: 1968 Pontiac Firebird

b1

What’s this? Only 2/3 of a car? Just wait, there’s more car included, but let’s just say there won’t be a lot of disassembling needed if you decide to take this project on! I found this coupe listed here on eBay with an opening bid of $2,500. It’s located in Spanish Fork, Utah, where the seller planned to turn it into a “pro touring” custom but has changed their mind.

b6

I told you there was more car! The seller tells us that if you wanted to restore the car it originally had a white vinyl roof and a white interior, as well as factory air conditioning and power steering. While the VIN plate is shown, as far as I can tell it only specifies that it is a V8 coupe; you’d have to go to PHS to find out more details. On the far right of this picture you can see some new sheet metal in addition to the used metal above. I believe the blue shade on the underside of the trunk lid is the original color, if that’s so it’s Alpine Blue according to this paint chart, and that matches the VIN tag.

b2

Here are those new panels. The seller states that there is rust in the original trunk floor, which they back up with a picture, and that there were only small spots in the quarter panels and wheel houses, which has me wondering why buy new panels for the rear, especially since the front fenders don’t exactly look great. Nonetheless, new sheet metal is good, right? The ad also states that the rockers are solid both on the inside and on the outside. The doors don’t look bad from what I can tell in the listing pictures.

b5

Yes, folks, there is a front subframe included. It’s already been blasted and painted, and quite obviously has benefited from a brake and suspension upgrade. I suppose you could always go back to stock, and I might at least tone down the color on the red calipers, but I wouldn’t downgrade the brakes back to original.

b3

I’ll bet by this point you’re wondering about the stuff that goes in front of this firewall. To put it bluntly, it’s not included. The seller does say they have a line on a 326 engine with a Powerglide automatic for an additional $1,000, but it’s not included in the auction as-is. I know what I’d do with this project–because the car is so far from original anyway, I would work on making it my interpretation of a 1968 Firebird, with a modern drivetrain and a 6-speed manual–but that’s me. What I’d like to see is what you would do, and just to make it interesting, let’s give you a small budget (for this level of refurbishment) of $7,500 plus the cost of the car! Tell us in the comments!

Comments

  1. Avatar Dave Member

    And in case the 326 ain’t making it, there’s a nearby lawn mower engine ready for duty.

    Like 0
  2. Avatar MH

    Junk. Not worth restoring. Not enough demand and NO profit can be made after fixing it.

    Like 0
    • Avatar Rich

      I’m not defending this car by any means, but not everyone is into classic cars just to flip them for profit. It’s starting to get annoying reading comments about how rare a car is, or how much profit can be made from it. …..

      Like 0
  3. Avatar brakeservo

    Reminds me of that old AMC Gremlin TV commercial where the grizzled gas station attendant says “Where’s the rest of your car, Toots?”

    Like 0
  4. Avatar ccrvtt

    Love these cars but the only thing I’d want from this one is the front bumper. To use it as a wall hanging, of course…

    Like 0
  5. Avatar MikeK

    Lots of hours left to finish this one. I’d be a player at about 1500.

    Like 0
  6. Avatar dj

    The only reason to buy new rear quarters and wheel houses is major rust. And why buy new rears and use the crappy front fenders? I’m with MIkeK, $1500 max

    Like 0
  7. Avatar George

    I see possibilities…

    Like 1
  8. Avatar Julles

    Firebird in a box.

    Like 0

Leave A Comment

RULES: No profanity, politics, or personal attacks.

Become a member to add images to your comments.

*

Get new comment updates via email. Or subscribe without commenting.