1967 Pontiac Firebird 400 Convertible Project

Some enthusiasts will balk at the idea of performing a faithful classic car restoration because they feel constrained by the need to retain that car’s originality. Those individuals crave a project where they can allow their imagination to run wild to produce the classic of their dreams. If you are passionate about Pontiac’s First Generation Firebird but wish to create something genuinely unique, this 1967 Convertible might represent the starting point you seek. It is a solid vehicle, and thanks to a lack of engine and transmission, it will allow the buyer scope to choose their project path. Located in Marquette, Kansas, you will find the Firebird listed for sale here on eBay. The bidding has rocketed to $5,200, although this remains shy of the reserve.

It isn’t clear how long ago the owner parked this Firebird in the shed, but I suspect that we can probably measure the duration in years rather than months. There is clear evidence of its original Code “N” Burgundy paint, but the buyer will undoubtedly choose to strip this as part of the refurbishment process. It should be no surprise to learn that the buyer will face rust repairs, and these have afflicted all of the places we have grown to know and love in classics of this generation. It includes minor and repairable sections in the lower rear quarter panels and rockers, but the seller says that the floors will require total replacement. However, the frame rails are rock solid, and the doors open and close easily. That suggests that the car is structurally sound. The only area of concern that I can spot is what appears to be some rust developing in the cowl just above the brake booster. It may be nothing, but it deserves closer inspection to confirm possible deterioration. Problems in this area are repairable, but they can be fiddly. Most of the exterior trim is present, as are the factory wheels and the frame for the soft-top. These items seem restorable, suggesting that returning this Convertible to its former glory may not be difficult.

When it was shiny and new, this Firebird drove out of the showroom equipped with a 400ci V8, a three-speed manual transmission, and power brakes. That beautiful V8 would have produced 325hp, which was enough to launch the Convertible through the ¼ mile in 14.8 seconds. That represented a rapid wind-in-the-hair classic motoring experience. However, the tractable nature of a motor that also delivered 410 ft/lbs of torque meant that it could idle along happily low in the rev range with few complaints. Sadly, both the numbers-matching motor and transmission have gone, and what the buyer will receive for their money is a lot of fresh air. This could be what makes this Firebird an attractive project car. Sourcing a correct drivetrain would be pretty easy if the new owner craves a faithful refurbishment. Alternatively, there are plenty of more modern options if a restomod is on their radar. A modern engine and transmission would allow the car to retain its inherent charm while offering the prospect of fuss-free motoring. That has to be an option worthy of further consideration.

With bucket seats and Black vinyl trim, the interior of this Convertible would have represented a pleasant place to spend some time on a sunny day. Those days are a distant memory, but there’s no reason why the buyer couldn’t recapture this classic’s lost youth if they are willing to spend some money and effort. The seat frames look good, while most of the dash is intact. The factory radio is gone, but enough pieces are present to suggest that a trim kit would address the worst of this interior’s ills. A kit will cost under $2,000 but would have the interior shining like a new penny. The next owner will also need to factor a new soft-top into the equation, and depending on their choice of material, these retail for between $400 and $800.

If you were to throw your hat into the ring in a bid to take this 1967 Firebird Convertible home, what would be your approach? Would you source a date-correct engine and transmission to return this classic to its former glory, or would you follow a different path? There’s little doubt that it would make an excellent basis for a restomod build, which would combine the charm and presence of a classic Firebird with a modern drivetrain that would provide fuss-free motoring. With those thoughts in your mind, are you tempted to join the bidding war on this classic?