Hiding in this garage is an American classic that has hibernated since the 1990s. It is a 1968 Pontiac Firebird, and in a line designed to set teeth gnashing for some readers, the seller claims it ran when parked. It requires total restoration, but the indications are it could be a satisfying project for its next owner. The Firebird is listed here on Craigslist in East Longmeadow, Massachusetts. The seller set their price at $13,500 OBO, and I must say a big thank you to Barn Finder Tommy T-Tops for spotting this promising Pontiac project.
General Motors joined the pony car party late with its Camaro and Firebird cousins, but this was because Ford and Plymouth caught it off guard with the Mustang and Barracuda that established that market sector. Pontiac wasn’t as keen on marketing the Firebird as many might expect. It had its sights on a grander prize by bringing its Banshee concept to market as a two-seat sports car. GM saw this as a direct and unwelcome competitor to the Corvette, nipping the proposed new model in the bud. Therefore, the Firebird was seen as its fallback plan. The seller doesn’t elaborate on why this car was parked. It is structurally sound and was mechanically healthy, making its current circumstances mysterious. The paint shade exacerbates this. It looks similar to Windward Blue, but there is enough variance in the supplied photos to place a question mark over that. Checking the Trim Tag will expose the truth, which might be the new owner’s first step if they plan a faithful restoration. The hood isn’t original, but since the same is true of the wheels, those items may be changed if the buyer craves a stock appearance. The seller describes the Pontiac as solid, suggesting any potential rust issues are relatively minor. They admit to some filler but provide no information on its location. Most trim pieces are present and restorable, and the glass looks okay.
The Firebird’s interior is complete, and it appears aftermarket additions are limited to a tach and a radio/cassette player. It doesn’t look particularly inviting, with everything begging for a deep clean. That would be the first step before deciding what needs to head out with the trash. The badly cracked wheel is a no-brainer, but the seats pose another mystery deserving investigation. The front covers may have been replaced, but I wouldn’t bet the farm on it. Their fit isn’t up to the standard delivered by the factory, but there are no apparent rips or tears. It is possible that replacing the seat foam and reinstalling the covers could produce a positive result without breaking the bank. However, with the back seat sporting a substantial seam separation that may be irrepairable, a complete cover set might be the most cost-effective solution. The door and rear trims look acceptable for a driver-grade restoration, the dash and pad are okay, and the carpet might be fine once cleaned.
The seller admits that although this Firebird sports a 400 hood, what hides beneath it is a 350ci V8. An automatic transmission handles shifting duties, while power steering lightens the driver’s load. This V8 would have produced 265hp and 355 ft/lbs of torque in its prime, propelling this Pontiac down the ¼-mile in 17.9 seconds. That figure sounds leisurely, and the harsh reality is that this car would play second fiddle to any V8-equipped Camaro or Mustang from the same model year. The seller doesn’t indicate whether the vehicle is numbers-matching. We know it ran and drove well when parked, but it is wise to remember that more than three decades have passed since that fateful day. Revival might be relatively easy if the engine turns, but budgeting for a complete mechanical rebuild would be wise. After all, it’s better to have the money and not need it than to need it and not have it.
This 1968 Pontiac Firebird looks like a promising project, and if it is as solid and rust-free as the listing suggests, returning it to its former glory should be straightforward. That could make it ideal for a first-time, although an experienced enthusiast might enjoy tackling a build that doesn’t pose too many challenges to an individual with their skillset. It has been on the market for under a day, and it will be fascinating to see how quickly someone rises to the challenge by taking it home.
160 mph speedometer. Oh the optimism of the late 60s.
This may be a true diamond in the rough but then again everything needs attention.
I’d stop in if it wasn’t 2500 miles away.
My 68 400. 4 barrel,4 spd, had a 160 speedo and i ran past that almost to the end a few times and could do so any time i had room. Once i felt the front end get light and just lifted off the gas and let it slow down on it’s own.That was kind’a scary. I miss that car, i got T boned and that was the end of it.
68’s had what they called flow-thru ventilation which is why they did away with the vent windows and put vents in the dash. Someone has hammered the hole bigger where they’ve stuck that tach in it. The engine isn’t in correctly from the photo as it’s way too close to the wiper motor and a V8 probably would have had power brakes at least. I owned/restored a 68 400 ragtop and the engine bay is just off. If it’s solid this might be a good restomod candidate.
Love those hood locks about in the middle of the hood,nobody’s getting in there!
When I see a steering wheel caked with muck, I don’t know why, but I get a strange feeling that the car was in a swamp or something.
I’d say there’s a good reason. This looks like it’s been in a flood.
Don’t want to say it wasn’t in a flood, but the interior can look this way just being in a garage without AC. would look a lot better if they would have pushed it outside to wash it and clean the interior. Pics in the sun would probably help too. I agree on the engine placement looking odd. Also it has an incorrect license plate light assembly. jack holding up the right side maybe because of a bad tire. Vinyl top is probably hiding some issues. No console, automatic on the tree, I’d probably pass on this one unless it was running and driving at this price. who knows if there’s fuel in the tank and how old it is. A good bit of work to get her back on the road again.
The title is also missing.
F bird. Says so on the fender.
I would so love to have another one of these but this one looks to be a mess. With no more info available i’d pass on it. I think it needs too much for me to deal with. What a shame!
Had a 67 with Built 400, 4 speed, it got rear-ended so went to Scrap yard & found 68 Camaro Shell & combined them. Last Motor was a Built 396 Chevy, Might put a LS in it next with Automatic. Have had lots of Fun in that car!
Goz, I had a 66 Mustang that I put a 351 Cleveland in…….
As your incident at about 140 with all the shaking I could feel the front start to take off. I slowed it down and realized I had no business trying to go that fast. WTF was I thinking ! Never went over 95 again.
Hi, Yaah I tried to my 68′ 400 to pin the needle in 75′. good thing I had 2 big guys along for the ride! about 130mph I could feel the front-end getting up a bit…I could turn the wheel L & R! got it to 147 or so, I was kinda busy at the time! don’t like engine compartment as well…how do you mount an engine..wrong? don’t get that…wouldn’t that f**k up trans?? I live in Maine, maybe I’ll make a trip?!
Front end lifting while cruising eh?
Turn the steering back and forth?
Ha…..
While I like the blue color, that doesn’t look like a factory color for a ’68 Firebird. The column shift for the THM A/T is a turn off, and I’d lose the vinyl roof in a heartbeat, although that may reveal significant rust. I’d also lose the aftermarket tach in favor of a reproduction Pontiac hood tach, They’re available on the aftermarket from NPD, among others.
Pontiac’s 400 in this era is a SB, so a 350 would fit perfectly. This doesn’t. Column shifter, no console and standard brakes also serve as evidence this was originally powered by a six and has a broken leaf spring. . Nothing wrong with a six here, makes for a nice drive. Still could have had AC. This is a nice, straight example of the best looking Firebirds ever made, worth restoring, but I see much deception in the few photos. The price is already ambitious, and no title to confirm ownership, it’s worth zero to me.
The good news is that MA doesn’t require a title for anything more than ten (10) years old, or at least that used to be true. I am suspicious of anything without a title, however, because the provenance may be suspect, a.k.a. stolen! It could be the owner just lost the paperwork, but the last thing I need would be to be charged with receiving stolen property because the paperwork was suspect or non-existent!
Drove a 69 400 ho back in the day 1971. Guy rear ended me going 60 mph. That said , that car was the real deal. This car is a faker. The 400 ho had a super decked out interior.