The Pontiac Firebird was in its second year of production in 1968, having joined the Chevy Camaro to do battle with Ford and its sales phenom, the Mustang. As such, physical changes were minimal between 1967 and 1968, such as the addition of side marker lights and the absence of vent windows in the doors. The seller has owned this ’68 since 2005 and was intending a partial restoration, but his physical limitations won’t permit that, so the car is regrettably for sale. From a garage in Silverdale, Washington, this largely complete project is available here on eBay where the bidding stands at $8,200.
As far as projects go, this one looks to be more solid than most we’ve seen here on Barn Finds. Because the car is in a tight garage and doesn’t move around, photos of the entire car are hard to come by. But from what we can see, the body and its red paint look good except for the driver’s side rear quarter panel which came into contact with a concrete piling on a dark, foggy night. The interior is quite presentable, so not much attention is going to be needed there.
This seller is forthcoming with providing a list of to-dos that the buyer will have to tackle with this Pontiac. They include installing a new trunk lock, tracking down a coolant leak (although the radiator, water pump, and head gaskets were replaced), searching for why there is a leak in the top center of the windshield, replacing the weather-stripping around the doors, and other annoying things like that. Also, the window tinting that was installed by the previous owner is showing its DIY application.
The drivetrain is not original but did come from other Firebirds. A 350 cubic inch V8 is along for the ride from a ’73 Firebird and the TH-350 automatic transmission came out of a ’75. The gear ratio in the 7.5” rear end is suited to highway use and not drag racing (save gas, go slow). Both the battery and carburetor are missing but you’ll get an assortment of other parts that may come in handy. The wiring, fuel lines, gas tank, and front suspension components have been replaced, but that was a dozen years ago. The seller converted the front brakes to disc rather than drum.
As we said earlier, for a project, this car is better than most. It will need bodywork and paint and probably a disassembly of the engine to be sure all the gremlins have been worked out. If this were a numbers-matching car, it could top $50,000 when restored. But you’ll have to knock something off for the lost originality. Kudos to the seller for being honest in his assessment of the car.
That’s some serious filler on that damaged quarter panel. I wonder where else fantastic plastic is hiding?
Holey Kow, that’s enough mud to re-sink the Titanic (whos anniversary debacle is approching)…
My first thought exactly! If that quarter has an 1/8″ to 1/4″ of filler in it, how much plastic’s in the rest of the body? And even more importantly, why is it all there? The trunk floor may look good, but I when I see that much filler, and then I read that the windshield is leaking, I have to wonder just how “solid” could this car really be?
And what ever happened to paragraphs? Do seller’s realize how hard it is to read an ad when the description just rolls on and on?
The first thing is thank you for your service, and thoughts are with you for your recovery.
I’ll paragraph to help those that need the help.
While the body does have obvious repair as seen in the use of bonds, the remaining car looks intact. Granted it is in a garage, so photo detail is limited. In the event you don’t sell it, try to get help to roll it out of the garage for daylight photos including the bottom of doors and underneath to demonstrate structural integrity.
At the current bid of 8500, I’m watchful, as I have seen obsolete rusted out junk, not worthy of scrape price advertised 9n this site for much more m9ney.
Good luck
Kilo Company
The bondo seems by the pictures & text to be because of an accident and not rust. Though rainy, Washington State isn’t famous for rusted out cars, and that appears to be the case here. :-) Terry J
Why not push the car out for better photos and then push it back in?
Physical limitations on the pics perhaps? The amateur body work is a sight, but repairable. Pacific coast cars do tend to be solid but a personal inspection would be worthwhile just in case this was a ocean front car. Good price if it isn’t junk.
Extra icing on that birthday cake!
Deluxe interior and minimal rust is a plus, but previous collision damage and no AC is a downer. Not to mention the later powerplant. If this remains at sub-$10k it could be a nice project. Unfortunate about that quarter panel.
SOLD for $10,200.
Is this red or orange firebird from Washington still available?? Pls let me know, Thanks. Cash buyer… Greg Williams 413-537-0003 call or text