During its 1967-69 first-generation run, the Pontiac Firebird was perhaps the third best-selling “pony car” (behind the Mustang and Camaro). Like its Chevy cousin, the car was little changed going into its second year, losing its vent windows, and gaining side marker lights as visual cues. This ’68 Firebird convertible is one of nearly 17,000 built, has been stored for two decades, and is missing its powertrain. From a barn in Gilroy, California, this roller is available here on craigslist for $12,000 OBO.
The Firebird had momentum going into 1968 and the sophomore auto outsold its freshman year by more than 25,000 copies. Its roots with the Camaro were obvious, but most of the sheet metal was all its own (like the Dodge Challenger and the Plymouth Barracuda in 1970-74). We’re told this drop-top may have had a 400 cubic inch V8 and an automatic transmission below the hood before they were both liberated, perhaps for another project. What remains is a roller with light rust that’s going to need almost everything else to come back to life.
We’re told this Pontiac has been stored inside for 20 years – but given the looks of the structure in one photo – Mother Nature still had access to it. The interior is described as “complete and in great shape”, but the upholstery and canvas top will require a rework. The Firebird has aftermarket wheels and four flat tires, so moving it around may be a bit of a challenge.
To help get the auto running again, the seller has a spare 400 engine that the buyer can have, but no mention is made of its health. This car won’t be numbers matching again, but perhaps it can be restored to period-correct status. The odometer says 50,000 miles, but that’s probably anyone’s guess. If you’re a local buyer, delivery can be arranged for a little extra coin.
I like the optional roof mounted mailbox.
That makes it a 1 of 1 !
This isn’t too far gone and the interior can be mostly saved. Since it’s not numbers matching, I’d convert to a 4 speed and locate another console. This can be a nice and fun car to own and drive.
ditto
You may be able to just replace the insert where the shift lever comes through the console, and keep the rest. A small trim piece usually screws to the console where the shift lever is located. If that lever is attached to a manual transmission, the trim just holds the shift boot in place. If the lever is attached to a slush box, the trim includes the shift indicator and a small light bulb connected to the instrument cluster illumination for illuminating the shift indicator at night. The necessary trim might even be available on the aftermarket, through NPD or other suppliers specializing in classic cars.
Firebirds are getting hard to find in good condition, especially convertibles. I’d give 10k for it.
Since the original drivetrain is gone, it will never again be “numbers matching”, so it is a blank slate. In other words, a perfect “restomod” candidate. Art Morrison Enterprises makes a three piece kit, consisting of a new front subframe, subframe connectors and a rear subframe that can contain either a Watt’s Linkage, a four-link rear-end, or a fully-independent rear suspension, if your bank account has enough zeros on the end of your balance, LOL! The new front subframe is both lighter and stiffer than stock, and is equipped with a rack and pinion steering gear, to replace the factory recirculating ball setup, so the handling should improve substantially. Here’s a link:
https://artmorrison.com/wp-content/uploads/AME_Catalog2023.pdf#page=18
You’ll need to strip the body to bare metal and repair any hidden rust first though, since this one looks like the definition of “indoor storage” was more figurative than literal.
Very crusty for typical caly car , going to need way more than pictures show, $10K is a good start to buying a decent driver, this is far from that. Excellent condition is a laugh.
I’ve owned a couple ’68 Firebird’s back in the days of my misspent youth and they were great cars. My buddy had a 69 Camaro at the time and there is no question that the Pontiac was a nicer car all the way around.
Baby brother bought a 1969 Firebird Sprint Convertible for $1200 when we were in college, Carousel Red, a.k.a. “Hugger Orange”, with a black top and interior, with a hood tach. We pulled the entire driveline, rebuilt the 250 OHC six, transmission Rochester four-barrel carburetor and replaced the rear end, leaf springs and shocks, along with most of the front end parts. Put it all back together by the fall of 1980, with plans to repair some body damage filled with Bondo, when it was stolen from our dorm parking lot in the spring of 1981! Ouch!