We’re used to seeing some excellent 1st Generation Pontiac Firebirds here at Barn Finds, but most of those cars feature a V8 under the hood. That makes this 1968 model worth more than a passing glance because not only does its engine bay still house its original OHC six, but the condition of the vehicle is stunning. It is a two-owner vehicle in need of a new home, so it has been listed for sale here on eBay. It is located in Dover, New Hampshire, and while the bidding has reached $18,300, this remains short of the reserve.
It seems that this Verdoro Green Firebird has led a sheltered life. Its first owner used the vehicle purely as a Summer driver, and he kept it parked up in a climate-controlled garage when it wasn’t in use. When that owner passed away, the seller purchased the car from his estate. He then continued this trend with the vehicle, and apart from a repaint in 1996, it remains untouched. The seller says that the car has never seen rain, and when you consider its overall condition, that’s a claim that is easy to believe. The paint might now be 25-years-old, but it still holds an impressive shine. There are no chips or marks that are worth mentioning and no dings or dents. The big news surrounds rust, or more accurately, the lack of it. All of the steel in this Firebird is original, with no history of prior repairs and no evidence of rust anywhere. This Pontiac is said to be structurally sound, and with trim and glass whose condition is a match for the panels and paint, the buyer shouldn’t need to spend a dime on this car’s appearance.
When we open the doors and take a look inside the Firebird, the trim is in great condition for an original and unrestored survivor. That is to say that it isn’t perfect, but it isn’t anything to be ashamed of if you rocked up at a Cars & Coffee. The carpet has some wear and dirty marks, it looks like there might be a couple of cracks in the wheel, and a couple of the smaller plastic pieces show some discoloring. Beyond that, the upholstered surfaces are in excellent condition, with no signs of wear or significant problems. The same is true of the dash, pad, and headliner. It isn’t an interior loaded with extras, although the pushbutton radio should provide in-car entertainment on the move.
Some of our readers, especially those with a soft spot for performance classics, will possibly be disappointed when we lift this Pontiac’s hood. However, I see this car as a breath of fresh air because it still features its numbers-matching 250ci OHC six-cylinder engine. The original owner chose to have a 3-speed manual transmission bolted to this, while he also ticked the box beside power steering on the Order Form. The 250 might not have been the most powerful beast on the planet, but it still offered 175hp for the driver to make use of. To place that into some perspective, the entry-level engine offered in the Chevrolet Camaro delivered 140hp, while the Mustang owners had to cope with 115hp. Thus, the Firebird stole a march over its opposition if you pointed all three vehicles at the ¼ mile. While this journey would take 17.1 seconds in the Pontiac, the Camaro trailed at 18.6 seconds, and the Mustang would bring up the rear at 19.2 seconds. Both the Camaro and Mustang could produce better fuel consumption figures, but in 1968, few people were worried about that. The owner of this classic has committed to meticulously maintaining the car, and it gets a bi-annual complete fluid change as part of this process. The drivetrain remains untouched, with no history of any rebuilding work. The Firebird has 63,000 miles showing on its odometer, and given its ownership history, I wouldn’t be surprised if the owner holds evidence to verify this. He does have the original Window Sticker and other documentation, including PHS paperwork. He says that the car runs and drives perfectly, so this is another aspect of this classic that won’t be consuming the buyer’s hard-earned cash.
I know that we will have readers who would want to swap a V8 under the hood of this 1968 Firebird as a priority, but I hope that the person who buys this car doesn’t follow that path. Finding a six-cylinder Firebird that is so beautifully preserved is a rare treat, and it deserves to remain in that form. The bidding has been respectable, but it hasn’t been intense. Therefore, it will be interesting to see if it reaches its reserve, and if it does, what it finally sells for.
Just when I thought I had my car cravings in check along comes a Verdoro green 68 Firebird! This was just like by friends in high school same color exterior/ interior even down to the 3-speed. With exemption to his being a 67 and having a 326 engine. Had a kid give me a ride in his either 67 or 68 with the OHC HO and he scared the pants off of me. That was a strong running handling car. I would keep the 6 but maybe update it to HO specs with the 4bbl intake and carb, some exhaust work. I love that color!
A guy I knew had one of these with a 4 speed and I had to challenge him with my 64′ Malibu SS 283/2bbl 4 speed and we were dead even to about 60. Definitely keep the 6!
This ’68 OHC 6 Firebird is amazing. Dark Green just works so well with some cars and Firebirds and GTOs are just two of them. All those mechanical specs shown in the eBay listing can be summarized by saying “This Firebird is a blast to drive”.
@Rough- Absolutely! I had the great good fortune of driving the convertible version of this car in 1969. Just an amazing blend of more-than-adequate performance and driving fun for a 16-year old with more luck than skill.
This car is cool. If memory serves, Delorean was trying to build something akin to the Jaguar E Type. Cool car. This is the nicest one of these I think I’ve ever seen, and I’ve been interested in these for a while.
The OHC 6 is no slouch in the performance department when given an upgrade to the Sprint-style 4 bbl carb, antisway bars, adding straight exhaust and other performance goodies plus sticky tires. The 3 speed won’t put you back into the seat like a 400 will but you could have some fun from stoplight to stoplight not to mention the twisty’s. All the while, averaging 20-25 mpg.
Oh my goodness!!! I think it is wonderful to see a car like this. Immaculate from Day 1, different, and drop dead gorgeous all around. And Verdoro Green, which is an amazing colour (was the colour of my Dad’s first ever new car, 1969 Pontiac Laurentian). If I had the room……
best,
BT
Please Car Gods……protect this beauty from an LS swap.
Don’t….touch….a….thing.
I wouldn’t have given you $3 for this back in the early 80’s when I was in my last years of high school. Now, I wish I could afford to put it in my garage. Simplicity and rarity. I love it.
A high school friend owned one of these in the later ’70’s, same year, same color (with black interior), inline 6 w/3 speed (factory Hurst shifter as I recall) and it was a really sweet ride. The inline 6 had a nice European sound, was surprisingly quick and the car had such beautiful ines. GLTA!
You should seriously consider sending this to Jay Leno, I mean at least the ad because he has one and he said they’re very rare so he may be looking for another one. and he’s got a bunch of money and a bunch of cars.
My first car was a 1967 Firebird Sprint with OHC six it also had a three speed.
Paid $1100 for it in 1970. It was an outstanding, fun car to rip around in.
Leave it stock and enjoy it.
My dad’s first Firebird was a 67 Sprint. I was 7 years old when he pulled up in the driveway with it. I remember the red line tires and the fact the starter or generator was mounted low and would sometimes crap out from splashing water from the underside.
Never been a fan WHATSOEVER of Firdbirds with spoilers, ground effects and chickens on the hood but saying that by all that are shown on Barn Finds and seeing all the positive comments over the years I am definitely in the minority but this Firebird is extremely nice and would love to own and drive it.
I remember this car, or one just like it(?) for sale on rte. 4, in Enfield, NH, about 15 years ago. It sat in front of a local mechanic’s shop. I don’t remember the asking price, but it was a lot less than eighteen three!
That is some exterior green paint! – looks better than factory.
Carpet & most of the side trim appears tanish-grey, but seats & armrests are green – not sure if that is stock.
I’m not sure if the lighter weight same year Camaro with the same trans & rear & 250 ohVALVE motor & 1 bbl would be slower than this 1 bbl bird.
175 hp at 4800 rpm, and engine torque 240 pound-feet at 2600 rpm
Pontiac
vs
155 hp at 4200 rpm, and engine torque 235 pound-feet at 1600!!! rpm
Chevy
Of course, the Pontiac 4 bbl OHC 6 version is a different story
215 hp at 5200 rpm, and engine torque 255 pound-feet at 3800 rpm
The colors inside these cars would fade at different rates within a couple years. the Firebirds and Camaros I personally owned could have 3 or 4 different hues going on by the time the cars sold to me. Some colors like greens and reds seem to fare the worst. Things are better with vinyl these days – but far more boring in the color choices offered by the major manufacturers!
My first car was a 67 Firebird with an OHC six. It was a Sprint with the 4 barrel carb, 3 speed on the floor. Red with black interior and black convertible top. That car was a blast to drive! Surprised a lot of people with how quick it was, even had a guy that didn’t believe it was a six, had to show him. Said he had V-8’s that didn’t keep up with him like that. Loved when that 4 barrel kicked in! Sad to say, the “Bird went away a long time ago. Wish I still had it, but alas it is gone.
68 Firebird is nice with a big block, but the six ohc is an underperformer for this style of car.
Bob
Front discs and a five speed through the original shifter, if it can be done without any cutting. Thats all folks
That would be all for this beautiful car. No thanks.
I love this car!,as a broke kid in the 80s,I could of had many cool cars dirt cheap.some I should not of bought, others got away quickly, could of had a 67 lemans with the camera for $300,faded paint, and push button ignition, otherwise very nice…gone very quickly, or the most painful of all,a 70 charger r/t 383,needed a fuel pump, and quarter panels, but the high school kid just wanted to get rid of it, could of had for $100!,of course it sold by word of mouth in a day,yes ive said it before, and will again, ah the good old days!
I think you mean 67 Lemans with the overhead cam (not camera). Not sure what you mean by push button ignition. You mean push button starter? By the way, there is a 67 Tempest sedan showing up on my local Craigslist with the OHC 6. Asking something like $900. Needs everything.
Saw one at Mecum in Houston a couple of years ago. It was the Sprint model fully restored. It was a no sale at $26,000.
This one made it up to 26K but did not meet the Reserve.
Based on the number of stories here, there were a lot of OHC 6 early Firebirds made, along with good memories of them.
Too bad that most of the ones left have 8 pots in them.
Sorry!,I hate auto fill,I meant cammer,and the ignition switch was replaced by a push button starter switch, so no typo there,just didn’t spell it out quite thoroughly enough, have a wonderful day.
No worries. I’ve had my last two MGs running off an under-dash push button starter switch from Sears while I worked out their ignition issues.
i always loved the OHC 6. Add the four barrel, swap in a 4 spd and you have a quick and very unusual Poncho
My parents have this six cylinder 1968 Firebird. It was the same green color but my Dad repainted it in the 90’s to another color. The interior is original, black dash and carpet with the upholstery in white. The car was originally purchased by a man who was drafted 3 weeks after buying the car, he returned it to the dealer and my Dad bought it, trading in a 1965 Cutlass. They are in their 80’s now and it has not been driven for 20+ years. I would love to drive it one more time, for a 6 with a manual 3 speed I had no problems running alongside the 8’s. A beautiful and easy to drive car!
Thomas, I would be interested in helping you A) get it running and safe to drive “one more time” and/or B) purchase the car from you/them for a reasonable price. I’ve always had a soft spot for the underdog Firebirds and Camaros and would love to have an original-owner first generation F-bird. What color is it now?