• Seller: Andrew W olf (Contact)
• Location: Bremen, Indiana
• Mileage: 116,000 Shown
• Chassis #: 223378UI63723
• Title Status: Clean
• Engine: LS1 V8
• Transmission: T56 Manual

UPDATE – The seller just let us know that the car is sold!

UPDATE – The seller has asked us to rerun their listing, but with a lower price.

A project build allows its owner to create a genuinely unique vehicle that is personalized to their taste. While some enthusiasts focus on authenticity, others push the boundaries to create something special and jaw-dropping. That is the opportunity awaiting the winning bidder when they park this 1968 Pontiac Firebird in their workshop. The hard work is complete to return the body to a rust-free state, while the included mechanical components will unlock the type of performance that was the stuff of dreams when this classic rolled off the line. The owner feels the Firebird deserves a new home with someone who can realize its potential, listing the Pontiac exclusively with us at Barn Finds Auctions.

The 1968 model year didn’t simply mark the mid-point of First Generation Firebird production, but it was the only time during its brief three-year build history when total sales topped 100,000 vehicles. The owner has lavished an enormous amount of TLC on our feature car’s body, replacing a long list of substandard steel to return the body to a rust-free state. The roof and modified hood are untouched, but this shell sports a new trunk lid, rear quarter skins, door skins, front fenders, trunk extensions, rockers, and front floors. The rear features mini tubs to accommodate larger wheels and tires, while the smoothed firewall will improve engine bay presentation once everything is bolted together. Included are some additional components to help the winning bidder down their build road. The glass is all present, minus the windshield. The Firebird’s rear was modified to accept independent suspension, which was deemed necessary when we focus on this classic’s potential mechanical package.

The Firebird left the factory equipped with a 350ci V8 and a four-speed manual transmission. The V8 delivered 265hp and 355 ft/lbs of torque, providing very respectable performance. However, the included drivetrain will provide significant performance gains once the buyer hits the key because it is pretty mouthwatering. We are looking at a 5.7-liter LS1 V8 that sits in a front cut from a 1998 Chevrolet Corvette. It includes all the front suspension and steering components, clutch, master cylinder, slave cylinder, accessories, wiring, and computer, which should make coaxing the engine to life relatively straightforward. The power feeds to a rear-mounted six-speed T56 transaxle and the independent suspension previously mentioned for improved weight distribution and handling. The LS1 generates 345hp and 350 ft/lbs of torque, and with the Firebird and Corvette sharing almost identical curb weights, the 15.4-second ¼-mile ET this car produced off the showroom floor should comfortably drop into mid-13-second territory. As a bonus, the engine update should improve the car’s manners, making it more adept at dealing with urban traffic situations.

Although the photos seem to suggest differently, the only interior component missing from this Firebird is its carpet. However, since carpet sets retail for around $220, that doesn’t represent a significant investment. The Corvette front cut includes the gauges, and grafting these into the dash with a custom fascia would remove the stress of trying to calibrate different instruments to cope with the electronics that are part of the mechanical package. It could represent the ideal way to combine old-world charm with modern practicality.

This 1968 Pontiac Firebird is one of the most promising restomod projects we have seen at Barn Finds for a while. The build hasn’t progressed beyond the point of no return if someone craved a more “stock” approach. However, the mechanical upgrades would bless this classic with performance and handling that would command respect. In reality, much of the heavy lifting is complete, leaving the new owner with the joy of finishing the project to a standard that they consider appropriate. With the body in a rust-free state, the opportunity is there for the winning bidder to make their mark cosmetically by applying their preferred paint shade. Combining those factors makes this Firebird mighty tempting, and submitting a bid makes perfect sense.

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