It costs the same to restore a fastback or a convertible as a coupe, and the coupe is going to bring a lot less when it’s done. That’s Mustang world wisdom, but it has something to teach you should you be interested in this 1969 Firebird coupe offered on ebay. The car is a project, but there’s not really a case where putting it back to original makes economic sense, because it’s a relative stripper with a six-cylinder engine residing in the power spot. However, there’s something special about this six-pot model, which makes it worth a second look. You can grab it for somewhere between its current bid of $4300 (short of reserve) and the buy-it-now tab of $10,000. You’ll have to drag it home from Roxboro, NC.
Any value guide will tell you that this Firebird doesn’t make financial sense to restore. The one I consulted has this car at about $4K in this condition, and $25,000 in perfect number one condition. That’s including the five percent hit it takes for being a six-cylinder. The good news there, however, is that the Sprint Six, Overhead Cam engine gives it a cool factor that’s worth noting. And it adds value. The discount for the six-cylinder would otherwise be twenty percent. And therein possibly lies the case for restoration.
As for what you’re getting, the seller is insistent that he doesn’t know whether the 70,000 miles indicated on the clock have rolled over already. I doubt it really matters. Curiously, he also says that there are new rings and bearings included, “only because I have them.” This is a runner, mind you. Some fuel system components are noted as being new, and some tune-up parts have been renewed. But you’re going to need to get under that hood and put your work boots on, judging by the image of the engine bay. The body, in addition, needs attention in almost every panel. The interior is not so bad, with a kit needed to spruce it up. Handsome color, too. This one and the teal Pontiac offered in the era are two massive favorites of mine.
So what do you do with this car? You forget costs, pretend it was your grandma’s ride, and restore it to six-cylinder, overhead cam glory. It might be lore more than truth, but the magazines often say that the six-cylinder models (of various types) get all the attention at shows. People have seen their fill of the V8s, by this logic. And with this being a Sprint Six, there’s definitely a curiosity factor that you want to take advantage of. This not to mention that forgetting the dollars and cents part of this restoration will ensure that the car will be kept alive. Are you the person to do the hobby a favor and save it as an OHC Sprint Six?
Boat owners, here’s your new anchor. OHC 6 fan? No sir, not me, and for 2 words,,,,timing belt. While it was a novel idea, the only other OHC 6 was the Jeep, and a much tougher rendition. Another one of DeLoreans ideas, and not his best. I knew a guy with a Tempest Sprint OHC 6, 4 barrel. It had plenty of steam, on par with many small V8s, but a cloud of smoke followed him, and not tire smoke either. I see nothing but a shredder for this car today,,oh, save the wheels,,
I have a different view of the Sprint 6 OHC. I was taken for a joyride in a 67 Pontiac with the HO sprint. Not only could that car fly it could handle as well. John D. had a clear vision to build a more refined car that could hold its own with the European cars to the time. One of the first to have a OHC engine and a timing belt. Those 2 ideas are still with us even today. Not to say the Sprint engine didn’t have its problems with guide wear and follower issues.
This car is pretty far gone however and would not be my pick to purchase and restore.
Not no where worth 10k .imo. Bin is 8500 now. I could see 2k obo.
Bucket of painful rust restoration IMO.
Regardless of OE drivetrain restoration expense will exceed the car’s finished value. Someone with the ducats to spend shouldn’t be concern with such details. Bragging rights might be involved.
The low production OHC 6 (70+ hp over the L6) and HD Muncie 3 speed was a rarity then with less than 1500 produced for the model year (~1%). It’s rarer still today. Once restored it won’t be just another ’69 Firebird. At a car show it will garner more attention than any of the 1969 R/A F-bodies. If I only had the time and money.
I had a 1969 Sprint convertible restored it early early 1980s and sold it 1994. Saw it at Autorama 2012.
If it’s a real sprint 6, it’s got a four barrel and a huge exhaust pipe. I’m a big fan of these engines, having restored a 67 tempest with the ohc 6. Mine was a one barrel and a power glide, but it was a good running reliable mill that would run 70 on the Jersey turnpike all day to work at 20 mpg. Back then, pre internet, finding a cam was a chore, but it’s much easier today.
I say if you could grab it for a low number, keep the engine and make it interesting. I’ve been looking for another ohc 6 tempest for a while. The one tip I have, if it’s been sitting a bit, crank it until the oil light goes off before setting the choke. Everything I’ve read and heard through the Pontiac-Oakland club says that oil starvation on startup is what wears these engines.
I have this same car, condition, driveline combo and all, even the same interior color but with a tilt column. I couldn’t get 3k for it a few years back and the only thing I received was I guess one of the several dozen tire kickers and Camaro skinners that wore a trench around the thing looking at it returned a few weeks later and removed the front seats. Mine now resides in death row as I call it. When scrap hits 12.00 a hundred it and a few dozen will become soup cans. I would bet this never reaches the ridiculous reserve and if it does, the deal will not complete.
not a sprint, only has 1 barrel carb according to e-bay ad. top bid was $5700, seller has relisted it. The buy it now at $8500 is a crack pipe dream.
Yes it is. As I said I advertised one I still have a while back, the same exact car only green over tan. NO one wants this unless it is scrap price and then it seems many are being skinned into Camaros. I doubt at 57 hundred the deal would finalize but who knows. I used cars like this years back for long commutes. They were cheap, if you covered two or so years of care free use in the salt and slop of the northeast, it was great, your nice things stayed hidden and you still had the simplicity of old that this Mustangs, and Darts delivered.
AG said restoration expense will exceed the car’s value. That is true for 99 percent of restorations. Leave it with the 6 and drive it. Admittedly I have never squealed a tire and have no desire to start now.
The guy on Motor Trend found a tempest with an OHV six in it and reworked it. The car appeared to be a fairly decent old car
I’m actually kinda surprised that this thing didn’t sell and nobody bid the reserve, not that I think it’s worth the sellers $8k + ask but I have seen cars in a lot worse condition sell for more. Almost makes me want to buy it then do some clean up and get it running hit it with a Maaco paint job in my garage and sell it for $19,500
I don’t even see a claim that it is a Sprint. There was badging on the quarters that could have been lost to rot and on the hood (as I recall) proclaiming it was a Sprint. A one barrel carb would have to be adapted to the intake since a quadrajet 4BBLwas original. I don’t know where the idea it is a Sprint came from.
I had a ’67 from new and it still was not burning oil by the time it was sold with over 100,000 mi.
I don’t think I’ve ever actuallyseen one of these engines. I seem to recall years ago Car and Driver magazine had an ongoing project where they were putting one in an Opel GT? Or maybe I’m imagining that?
Not a Sprint this has a 1 barrel carb, sprint was a four barrel engine
Had my ass handed back to me by a Sprint Six. Early lesson in what these cars can do over a V8.
Was this not the first engine with a timing belt? Somebody educate me. By the way besides the four barrel and that great exhaust manifold, the Sprint had a hot cam. I threw away a cam still in the cam cover before I knew about this.
By the way there was a machine shop in Pensacola that would bore out cam covers and install pressed in inserts on covers that the cover was wore out. 99% of the time due to lack of changing oil on a regular basis. I didn’t mentioned that the shop made their own inserts.
It was the first American engine with a timing belt. The first mass produced car to use it was the Glas (German, later absorbed into BMW) in 1962. There was an American race car that used it in 1954.
Thank you Barry for the learning lesson. just a little more needless info. I have just checked Ebay for Sprint parts and the following is what I found:
OHC engine $1000.00
4 barrel manifold and exhaust manifold $1500.00 and a second one for $3900.00
New cam $300.00 plus
I have got a fortune in my garage.
Well, sellers don’t always end up getting what they are asking on Ebay, but it does sound like you are sitting on a potential pile of money there. I have a friend who I went to high school with almost 60 years ago who was always buying and selling cars and motorcycles and making money doing it. I remember him telling me his theory, which was “Always ask top dollar and be prepared to wait for the right buyer to come along who’s willing to pay your price. There might only be one guy who wants it that bad, you just have to find him”. It seemed to work really well for him, because today he’s a multi-millionaire and hangs out with Jay Leno. Me, I always lost money on everything I sold LOL!
In 1977, i bought a white with black interior 3speed sprint and my little brother at the same time bought a green one tan interior with a 4speed. I bought a header from Clifford research, did some tricks on the quad and had some fun with it untill my ex wife ran it into a side of house. Key word EX lol the guy i sold it to put on a 1 piece fiberglass front end that tilted up from the front. After owning many firebirds, gtos A and B bodies ( driving a 63 GP 4speed now) i rate that 69 bird one of better ones.
I would like to see a Pontiac, Buick, or Olds steering wheel one day in a Chevy.
I used to see things like that all the time when I worked at a Chevy dealership in the 70s. Brand new Chevys would come in from the factory with Pontiac steering wheels or wheel covers. Also Chevy pickups with GMC grilles or tailgates or wheel covers. Gotta love that GM quality control.
Seller has relisted this several times at 6K, needs to be cut in half, and even then….