Ford was on a roll post-war, catching the opposition flat-footed with the Thunderbird and the Mustang. The former effectively created the Personal Luxury Car segment, while the Mustang was the genesis of the Pony Car sector. General Motors took three years to produce an answer to the Mustang, but it proved a worthy competitor. The Camaro and Firebird cousins did not initially sell in the sheer volume of the Mustang, but cars like this 1968 Pontiac Firebird still managed to capture the buying public’s imagination. This gem is a tidy and solid survivor with 89,000 miles on its odometer. It has no apparent needs and would suit an enthusiast seeking a high-end driver. The seller has listed it here on eBay in Havre de Grace, Maryland, Bidding sits below the reserve at $20,100, but the intense interest suggests the price will soar before the auction ends.
General Motors joined the Pony Car party in 1967 with the Chevrolet Camaro and the Pontiac Firebird. The GM models didn’t initially sell as well as the Mustang, but examining the figures confirms that the Camaro and Firebird coaxed buyers away from Ford showrooms. This 1968 Firebird is a tidy classic finished in April Gold with a Black vinyl top. The seller confirms it received a repaint under the care of its previous owner but that the work didn’t extend to areas like the door jambs. There is one admitted minor panel repair near the left taillight, but the seller states that the steel is all as it left the factory. There have been no replacements or repairs, with the exterior and underside remaining rust-free. The paint has no significant issues, and the vinyl looks flawless. The tidy presentation extends to the trim and glass, while the Rally II wheels and trim rings appear in as-new condition.
Firebird buyers in 1968 could choose from eight engine variants to power their new purchase, and this car’s original owner selected the entry-level 350ci V8. They teamed it with a two-speed Powerglide, adding power steering to lighten the driver’s workload. This V8 may have been the least potent in the group, but it still produced 265hp and 355 ft/lbs of torque. The Powerglide saps the performance potential, with this Firebird taking 17.9 seconds to cover the ¼-mile. Had they chosen either of the manual options, a sub-16-second ET was there for the taking. However, if the driver points this classic at the open road, it should cruise comfortably at 70mph. The seller states this beauty has 89,000 genuine miles showing on its odometer, although, with a large slice of its history unknown and no mention of documentary evidence, the claim must be taken at face value. There is a slight exhaust manifold leak, which is surprising considering the car features a relatively new stock exhaust. The previous owner upgraded the carburetor and intake, meaning there might be a few additional ponies under the driver’s right foot. The Firebird runs and drives, with this YouTube video confirming that the engine runs sweetly, with no smoke or odd noises.
The Firebird’s interior is as tidy as you could hope to find, with the only apparent additions limited to a sports wheel and an 8-track player. The Black vinyl upholstered surfaces look excellent, as do the dash and pad. There are no signs of carpet wear or crumbling plastic, and the bright trim pieces are free from visible bubbles and pitting. The original owner ordered the car with some welcome comfort and luxury touches, including ice-cold air conditioning, an AM/FM radio, and a console with classy faux woodgrain trim. The only unknown is the health of the 8-track because every other item works as it should.
Although I admit a bias towards any classic wearing a Blue-Oval badge, I have long admired the First Generation Pontiac Firebird. I’ve always believed it held a styling edge over the Mustang and Camaro, but I struggle to define precisely that edge. This one is a gem, and the thirty bids submitted confirm I am not alone in my view. It might not have quite the cachet of a Trans Am or its more powerful siblings, but it still can turn heads and draw crowds courtesy of its condition. Recent sales results indicate the bidding will probably need to top $25,000 before passing the reserve, and I won’t be surprised if it hits $30,000 before the auction concludes. If you seek a tidy driver-grade classic produced by The General, perhaps this Firebird deserves a close look.
It’s the front-end treatment. The hoop bumper, the quad headlights…all add to the Coke-Bottle styling theme that the Camaro first brought over. Rebadged divisional brands don’t normally do it for me, but this generation Firebird was what was needed to finish the basic recipe…style-wise.
Driving is another matter. I have never driven a Camaro or Firebird, of any era…but some reviewers/recallers say the first generation of GM ponymobiles were pretty crude in the road-manners department. My introduction to this model was as a kid, reading Dad’s Popular Science magazines. When the Firebird was introduced, Dunne and Norbye solicited a young Mario Andretti to track test it and write his reviews, and – of course, given the venue – he wrote as if thrilled by the car.
Well, that’s the way buff book reviews went, back in those years. But I thought then, and still do now…a dang attractive style to it.
FWIW…the rear side marker, the Pontiac arrowhead, is a nice touch. In 1968, most GM brands did that…Chevrolet excepted, for some reason. Pontiac used its arrowhead. Buick used a red disc with a silk-screen outline of the three shields, with white lettering. I don’t remember what Olds or Cadillac used…but for 1969, it all went away with no-nonsense, pure-function red marker lights.
Did a tune-up on a Firebird very much like this (color and vinyl roof) for my work buddy, ‘Newt’, about 48 years ago. The tune-up went well but I’d knocked the vacuum line off of the Firebird’s power brake booster. I can still see Newt’s panicked face through the windshield of his car as he was backing out of my driveway and suddenly realized he had no brakes. Poor, poor Newt. The brake effectiveness was probably only 10% with no vacuum going to the booster. The cords and veins in his neck must have stood way out as he mashed that brake pedal for all that he was worth. Fortunately, my Dad came home from work about five minutes or so into our investigation as to what was ailing that Firebird. Dad straightened it out and added a screw-clamp.
Hahaha, literally just yesterday I was maneuvering some wires in my 72 cutlass and didn’t remember that I disconnected it. I don’t have to tell you, it was a scare!😂
Oh, definitely. If I’m unsure, I take pictures, mark things with a paint pen (more pictures!) and even make a simplified sketch. Definitely don’t won’t to get wires crossed or leave-off anything important.
The air cleaner says “350-4,” so if that’s accurate, this is not the base V8
Also offered in a 326.
326 was ’67 only. 350 for ’68 and onwards.
To further muddy things, Pontiac’s 350 was actually a 354.
i had a 69 loved the car styling . i dropped in a ram air 3 motor 67. worked it, car was fast but road like trash.. this was the 80s . but wish i kept it
This Bird is the word…. 1 gen was ultimately the best.. (IF I’m correct, they were 1st built in my home state of Ohio)
Pontiac 2-speed automatic is not a Powerglide but a Super Turbine 300 (ST-300).
I say that to others about the power glide transmission, not being the “across the line” verbiage nor the same part, nearly daily.
It’s not catching on though…..
Thank You
Correct, the Super Turbine 300 was the base Buick-Olds-Pontiac (B-O-P) 2-speed automatic for their A-body and F-body offerings from 1964-1969 and is often confused with Chevy’s Powerglide. The ST-300 was a relatively bullet proof unit, stout enough to back up the GTO’s 389 from ’64-’66.
Pitch that tranny anyway
Ford was on a roll? Um EDSEL
And both Mustang and Firebird/Camaro were built on econocar chassis, Chevy II and Falcon, so none of them drove very well at all
Let’s fill in the blanks.
1957 Ranchero 1959 Chevy catches up with El Camino
1958 Thunderbird 1970 Chevy finally comes out with Monte Carlo
1960 Falcon 1962 something called Chevy II?
1962 Fairlane 1964 Chevelle
1964 Mustang 1967 Camaro
1966 Bronco 1970 Blazer
Chevy always playing catchup
Mustangs are like buttholes, everybody has one!
The 1963 Pontiac Grand Prix & Buick Riviera Were Both Capable Answers To The Ford Thunderbird As Well As The 1962 Oldsmobile Starfire.
Edsel was done in 1960… Falcon, Comet, Mustang, Cougar,… that sounds like “on a roll” during the Camaro/Firebird era to me.
Hi, It’s nice to see one like I had in late 70’s!! I had a 400 w/ac ! Try changing the back 2 spark plugs!! The more i look at the engine compart…what’s up w/2 different value covers? I believe only 400’s got that…also, the inserts between the bumper/core support. I don’t get why no power brakes?… am/fm..ac delux int..v/roof!!! please provide info: engine/trans/ vin&engine code!! history would be nice!
Dad bought a 67 bird when I was 15. I’m 58 now. Did a resto with new qp fp & frame work. Put a period correct 326& turbine 300 in it Had no ps pb or AC but it was very nice to drive. Very fast car. Called it the Fire Buzzard because it would eat anything that was dead off the line. Sold about 8 years ago I almost cried when he told me. At least the new owner is doing a complete restoration on it. Wish him as much fun as I had
Great looking car in a totally period color scheme. I always loved the styling on these, even the grill which always looked like it was expressing concern over something.
Almost bought a 69 back in 1974
It was $400 at the top of my budget.
It needed tires and a muffler, but it was solid. I passed on it, as I did not have the extra cash for the repairs needed to get a sticker.
I still regret it to this day.
This Firebird is excellent as is. I suppose some fuel injection and CDI ignition upgrading is understandable. Perhaps even an argument for brakes and wheels. But all things that could be put back original. Anyone looking to dump more gas to ruin tires faster is living in a world that wasn’t as great as advertised to begin with. Had Detroit stuck with this being the top of the V8 world, making it more efficient with alloys and 8 speed sequential automatic, we’d be in a completely better world going for efficiency vs overcompensating displacement. That said, this car is beautiful and reflects that effort almost going in that proper evolutionary direction. My mom had the Olds Cutlass version of this Pontiac. It was a heavy toad compared to my dad’s Fiat 600 fastback coupe, but that Cutlass on the highway was like riding a quiet cloud.