While it might not be 100% rust-free, this 1968 Pontiac Firebird appears to only have one minor area of rust, and this is something that should be very easy to address. Otherwise, it is a clean and solid vehicle that is ready to be driven and enjoyed immediately. Located in Cardiff by the Sea, California, the Firebird is listed for sale here on eBay. Spirited bidding has pushed things along to $14,100, but the reserve hasn’t been met.
While the owner doesn’t come right out and categorically state it, I get the impression that the Cameo Ivory paint that the Firebird wears might not be original. The owner gives the impression that the car may have undergone a repaint at some point, but he refers to the paint as being “older.” I believe that the car has spent the vast majority of its life in California, so it is no real surprise to learn that the floors and frame are free of any rust issues. In fact, the only visible rust is a few bubbles that you can see in this photo, just behind the rear wheel arch. The black vinyl top is beginning to look slightly tired in spots, but it is far from a lost cause. I’ve seen these given a polish with the same sort of product that is used to polish fiberglass boats, and the result can be quite surprising. Some of the chrome is also beginning to show its age, but I would be inclined to attack this with a quality polish to see how it would respond.
The engine bay of the Firebird doesn’t present that well, but that’s probably about the only negative thing that I can say about it. What the next owner will get is a 350ci V8, Powerglide transmission, and power steering. With 265hp on tap, performance from the Firebird was quite reasonable, and it appears that the engine is in good health today. The owner says that the Firebird runs and drives very well and that it feels smooth and powerful. You will find a walk-around video at the bottom of this article, and this was shot with that 350 running. It sounds as clean and sweet as you are ever likely to want.
The interior of the Firebird presents very nicely and remains completely original. The black upholstery on the seats is free of any rips or tears, while the center console is in very nice condition. The surround for the shifter is misaligned, but I think that this can be fixed. The dash remains unmolested, with the original radio still present. The dash pad is free of any cracks or fading, while the carpet also appears to be free of significant wear or fading. One nice positive with this car is the fact that it comes equipped with air conditioning.
This 1968 Firebird is no trailer queen, but it is a clean survivor that can be driven and enjoyed immediately. Its rust issues are insignificant, and having these addressed would be a pretty inexpensive sort of operation. For the person who is hunting for a clean pony car that can be driven and enjoyed immediately, this is one that would be well worth considering.
May I point out, that not all cars from the “insane” Californian’s are rust free. All the beach cars, are likely to rust somewhat. Hundreds of foggy moist days without sun, can cause a lot of rust issues, but not really underneath. We recently bought a Porsche from the beach, somewhat cheap, because every seam, gap and molding had some rust. I see the newly painted trunk but still rust in the trunk photo and other places not recently painted, the rear deck does not fit and the quarter looks repaired and full of bondo, likely hit pretty good, not to mention the front bumper.
The seller is a bit or a dealer based on his completed listings. Most likely the car isn’t from the beach. The pictures show typical rust that a “beach” car would have.
Steve R
I will add my professional opinion as a rust expert, light color vehicles rust out FASTER than dark color vehicles as they reflect the sun and stay more damp that a dark color that absorbs the heat and conducts the heat throughout the vehicle. Example, park this car outside in July next to a black one…..you can easily touch the white one, you could fry an egg on the black one!!
My family started Ziebart here in Chicago in 1964 as Kurt Ziebart’s first expansion market out of the product inception in 1959 in Michigan.
I agree, it looks like lipstick on my exwife.
I always liked the lines of these but this one is rough. White paint easily hides a lot of that. If interested, inspect with a fine tooth comb so you know what you are getting.
Pretty sure there is more hidden rust, and price is already too high. The Firebird’s 0-60 times are probably better, but compared to my ex-wife’s 2018 Elantra Value edition, which produces 147 horsepower, gives her 42 MPG in return (rated @ 37, but that can beat on a regular basis). How’s that for lipstick!
Have owned a couple of early Firebird’s and always liked them. This one isn’t perfect, but fine for a daily driver. My wife would become an ex immediately if she ever drove a POS 2018 Elantra Value edition regardless of it’s performance and mpg! How embarrassing!!
I am actually considering cancelling my membership. How do I do so if I choose to do that?
Let these trolls pay dues.
Sounds like someone needs a hug.
I mentioned my daily driver as a rough comparison to a feature car. It was a way cooler car than my daily driver. I said that in that post. I made comparisons of the weight, horsepower, fuel economy, and style. I said outright how I would rather have the feature car. But some crack smoking sheep screwing grandma mooching meth heads keep bringing up my daily driver.
Who on this sight wouldn’t rather have a vintage Z28 over a Elantra? I know I would. But for some reason these trolls want to abuse me. Worst part is I pay to look at this site whenever I want. These little brain dead urinal cakes are on here for free.
I told HowardA earlier today that I won’t let these juvenile little chunks of manure drive me away from this site. But I thought about it after that…I am paying to be here. These parasites are not. Why should I pay to be teased & taunted by people who are obviously scum?
So I want out. The webmaster doesn’t do anything, as far as I can tell, to prevent people who are obviously not gear heads to post garbage posts. So I shouldn’t have to pay to read the junk.
Scotty G, I am asking you why am I paying you for this?
I am now requesting that you close my account. These little cum guzzling freaks are driving me away from your otherwise great resource. I am better off without it, then I don’t have to deal with these immature little people.
They are the type of critters that, in my earlier days, would have been properly disposed of.
This is a different era, and I don’t know how to hunt down the little f&%c sticks. If I did, the little comments would not happen anymore.
I learned a lot on this site, and met a few cool guys here. But I really want out, and no…I don’t want a f%÷cking hug!
Stevieg, don’t leave, we need your unique opinion and advise on this forum. A wise man once told me when I was young and full of piss and vinegar that if you want to change people cause you don’t like what they say, you’ll never be done. When you’ve finished with #100, number 1 will be ready to go again. Guess who looses in the end. Be the bigger better smarter guy. I too pay to enjoy this site. What I do is give the finger while I read some comments. My personal way of venting. Feels good too.
On & On, thank you for the kind words.
I already cancelled my membership last night. I will stick around for a bit & see if the trolls persist. If they do, I will walk away. If not, I will renew my membership.
I have only so much tolerance for bulls$%t. Most of the guys here are awesome but there are a few that are just douche bags lol.
For being nearly 50 you should have a little tougher skin. From one of your previous posts- “If you don’t want to read what I say, then don’t.”
Follow your own advise.
Ya know what Rosco, you are right.
I work a lot of hours @ 2 jobs and am kinda tired & crabby lol. Maybe I need to take my own advice. Thank you for reminding me of my statement lol.
What’s up with the added A/C system when it has indash factory air? I’ve never seen this before in car like this.
If you are referring to the vents on the lower outside corners of the dash panel that is part of the Astro ventilation, which was standard on all 1968 Camaro’s and Firebirds. If it was equipped with factory AC it would also have vents above the heater controls, which it does not. This car also has the non-AC heater box on the firewall rather than the much larger and differently shaped unit used on factory AC equipped cars.
Steve R
Steve is correct, the center dash piece at the top which is flat wood grain (on this car) with the vent/heater slide controls below it would have had a chrome vent for the FACTORY AC, the only vent.
I live in Texas and don’t remember if I ever saw one without a/c. The control panel would also reflect it with no a/c position.
California cars, generally speaking, are rust free if they have been somewhat maintained with periodic car washes, occasional waxes in its’ lifetime and having been garaged. Cars that show California plates weren’t necessarily “born” there. Many thousands of people have moved to California with their rust-bucket (s) in tow and no amount of warm sunshine will reverse that. Cars along the ocean, no matter whether California, Hawaii, Texas, Florida..all will deteriorate faster due to salt in the air. Few of these cars of this vintage had galvanized sheet metal or were dipped in a bath of rustproofing at the factory, so almost any moisture or salt air will attack the metal, even mere rain.
Only an “insane” rube would bid tens of thousands of dollars on a vehicle without seeing it first or at least employing a professional vehicle inspector to do that for you.
Caveat Emptor or be the person P.T. Barnum so colorfully described.
Nice catch on the aftermarket A/C. I almost missed it. That’s a York-type compressor, likely an ARA conversion. A GM car of this vintage should have a Frigidaire A6.
I am reassembling one of these that someone else took apart 9 years ago. What I wouldn’t give to have this in my garage to use as a reference!
Nice looking but no underside pics!!! Is it a pig with lipstick???
Bid up to $15,950 but didn’t meet reserve.