It isn’t clear how long this 1968 Pontiac Firebird Convertible has been sitting idle, but the amount of accumulated leaf litter and debris inside would suggest that it has been a while. The owner would like to see someone revive what he refers to as a diamond in the rough, so he has listed the Firebird for sale here on eBay. It is located in Los Angeles, California, and has already attracted an impressive 42 bids. This has pushed the price to $7,500 in this No Reserve auction.
Usually, when I see a 1st Generation pony car that has been left exposed to the elements, I feel some intense pangs of dread. None of these cars had a great reputation for rust-proofing, but the fact that this one is a California car is probably an advantage. The panels and exterior look surprisingly good, with only a few repairable patches of rust visible in the supplied photos. That doesn’t mean that this is a rust-free classic because, with no top and the carpet intact, that represents an excellent rust trap that could have done some severe hidden damage. The owner makes no mention of rust issues, and the bidding would suggest that there are potential buyers who believe that if there are any, they should be repairable. The Aleutian Blue paint is now beyond help, and there is no convertible top. What can be seen of the glass looks okay, while I believe that the exterior trim is all restorable.
Peeking (literally) under the hood of the Firebird reveals something pretty intriguing, which I’ll get to shortly. The first thing to note that with a 350ci V8, a 4-speed manual transmission, power steering, and power brakes, this is a classic that comes nicely equipped. That combination should have been capable of firing the Firebird through the ¼ mile in 15.8 seconds, which was a respectable number back in 1968. We know that the engine is present, but there is a question mark hanging over the transmission. This has been unbolted, and its location is unknown. The seller doesn’t have any keys for the Pontiac, which means that he can’t open the trunk. He believes that the transmission is in the trunk, but he isn’t sure. He suggests that potential buyers should assume that it isn’t, which seems fair. The intriguing aspect of the Firebird is the condition of some of the components in the engine bay. Most of the hoses and clamps are in excellent condition, but it was the alternator that caught my eye. It still shines well, and its original adhesive label is in excellent condition. That would suggest that the Firebird might not have been sitting for as long as initial impressions would potentially indicate.
When you look at the Pontiac’s interior, we once again see evidence suggesting that the vehicle has been sitting for a while. It isn’t just the accumulated layer of leaf litter but the greenery growing out of the seats that would suggest a lack of recent activity. The interior is basically complete, but apart from hard items like the seat frames, the rest of the trim and plastic displays the deterioration you might expect after extended exposure to UV rays and the elements. It will require nothing less than a trim kit to whip this interior back into shape. The buyer would need to budget around $2,400 for a full kit, but that would return the interior to an as-new state.
This 1968 Firebird Convertible has me slightly perplexed. There is plenty of evidence to suggest that it could have been sitting for years, but this is contradicted by other evidence. It has generated some interest since it was listed for sale, suggesting that a few people can see the potential in this one. Do you agree with them, and would you be willing to take it on?
Surely this car deserved better storage. Sad to see this.
Looks decent from what is shown. That hood is gone. Does not matter as it should get a big block hood for looks.
Here we go again. “Big block hood”?
Please guys, there is no such thing as a Pontiac “big block”…
It also looks like the convertible top frame is missing, if so add another $1,000+.
Steve R
I wonder how much weight 1 of those alum snowflake wheels save over a plain skinny ’68 14″ factory steel wheel, if anything.
I thought the leaves stay on the trees in LA.
I’m more interested in the white Chevelle? in the background.
Looks like an Olds Cutlass/442 to me there in the background maybe?
66 Cutlass
Take out the back seat and peek into the trunk
Steve,
It’s even easier than taking the seat out. It’s a convertible missing the top. All ya got to do is make a long cut with a knife, thru the top well lining material, and you can access whatever is in the trunk.
Wait . . . There’s a fresh cut thru the top well material already, wonder what they found [or didn’t find]?
Looks like this was someone’s parts car, it likely had a complete power top assembly, and someone with a non-power top Camaro or Firebird wanted an upgrade.
And that air cleaner sure looks like it’s brand new, unused, as there is NO dirt showing on the pleated element. If someone was going to replace it back when it was a running car, they would likely have also changed out the emission hoses as well.
I’ll make a gentleman’s bet that the floors are toast on this vehicle, too many years sitting out in the open. Even the LA area gets rain, and with all that vegetation piled around the seats, the carpet padding may well have stayed moist 24/7/365.
How much for the 66 Cutlass behind it?
No shifter, hood doesn’t open, looks like rust on the valve cover, ignition hanging from the dash. Too many unspoken issues. pass
Looks like a 69 with a 68 front clip? Given the way its been stored (tragic) even in LA the bottom is probably toast. A tarp and a couple of cinder blocks would have gone a long way. At the current 7500 bid its worth taking a chance. Plenty of good parts there.
It’s a ‘68, telltale fake louvers behind the driver door, and Pontiac emblem side marker in rear, not the Firebird emblem found on the ‘69s.
Aftermarket intake manifold and shifter/transmission? missing. Indicates rode hard and put away wet. I have a soft spot in my head for these. (many miles under the belt with a dealer plate attached) And I had a ’67 Camaro convert for several years. So I would like to still have it. But not until a complete inspection.
Wayne, you’d better get that soft spot looked at, it could be serious!!
:)
I think it’s not as bad as it looks if goes for less than eleven grand it will be a great deal. I don’t think it’s a white Chevelle it’s a Cutlass
Jimmy Hoffa is in the trunk, along with the transmission and keys.
Depending on reserve price it’s definitely worth saving, as far as opening the trunk go in through the backseat or at least look for the trans
Whoever stored it like this needs an a** kicking.
I’m more interested in the Datsun and the Spitfire that show up in the background of the photos.
I now totally believe that there are many people out there
with more $$ than common sense. How / why would someone tackle
this pile of crap? I give up!!!
The seller says “it ran when it was parked” , but then says the transmission MAY be in the trunk ?
Looks like it was used as a composting bin. Floors likely gone too! No thanks.
Guarantee u theres rodent damage in that car.
Problem with So Cal isnt rust but because its so dry lots of mice and rats….I lived there 33 years.
A no reserve auction…?
Well, I have many reserve-ations regarding this car.
Big project, significant initial purchase price plus resto costs equals “pass”.
I could’ve been more concise and just said “junk.”
That is either a 66 cutlass or 442 in background. I had a 66 442 back in the day. Fun car!
Speaking of soft spots this guy should have his head exmaned, some people’s kids. Very said