Oh-boy, a twofer! They’re common at the grocery store and in other lines of business too. I know of one retailer that will give you something like seven dress shirts if you just buy four that’s like a 2.75fer, what a deal. With cars, frequently one can acquire a parts car with the primary purchase but the debate can turn towards which one is the better restoration candidate vs. which one is the better parts car. And sometimes you just end up with two parts cars and not enough parts to make one good one. I’m not suggesting that’s the case with this ’69 Pontiac Firebird and its parts alter ego but it begs the question and it’s worth a closer look. The cars in question are located in Warriors Mark, Pennsylvania, and available here on eBay for a starting bid of $7,600.
It’s always great to find a first-generation Firebird, they constantly play second fiddle to the ubiquitous Chevrolet Camaro of the same era. They are very similar cars, in some instances built on the same assembly line, but they are different too and have their own personalities. The Firebirds in question here are a real project. The emphasis is on the “project car” and the seller states that he has lots of new parts that go with the sale. The few hazy images reveal a Firebird that’s going to need a lot of parts so here’s the inventory: new front bumper with grille assembly, new hood tachometer, two new front fenders, two new front brake calipers, two doors, a trunk lid, two rear quarters, a new back bumper, a used Camaro differential and a Firebird 400 hood. All you have to do is put it all together!
But wait, there’s more! For power, this Poncho is going Chevrolet all the way. Pontiac went that way with the Firebird as a matter of corporate consolidation starting in 1982 but I imagine Pontiac fans would consider it heresy to stuff a small block in a ’69 Firebird. Anyway, perched on an engine stand is one of several million Chevrolet 350 CI V8 motors, of unknown origin, that has been rebuilt and seen only a half-hour running time. It has “194” heads which I think is the minimum that 350’s used (it means the size of the intake valves) with a cam that is “two steps up” whatever that means. Camshafts are usually described in terms of their lift, duration and overlap but since the provenance of this mouse-motor is unknown, it’s hard to relate the two steps up improvement to anything. But it’s better. There is a video available of the engine running that is available to prospective buyers. It would seem that the new owner will have to install this motor into the project car and attach it to an existing automatic transmission that is supposed to be in place but is not specifically referenced.
There is nothing said regarding the interior, the images provided are poor and non-revealing. There is a dash, instrument panel, steering wheel and a seat of some kind but that’s the end of the tour. The shopping list included makes no mention of interior parts so that may be a start mostly from scratch project.
OK, Firebird number two, also a ’69, has a complete Pontiac powertrain, engine, transmission and differential. It also has a driveshaft, complete rear floor (something maybe the “project car” doesn’t have?), center console, shifter, dash, steering wheel; wait a minute, are we sure we’re trying to restore the right car? This sale is a bit confusing, one will really need to have boots on the ground to figure out what’s what.
This is probably not a project for the faint of heart. Logically, you would assume the seller is trying to resurrect the better of the two cars but the Chevrolet engine, in place of a correct Pontiac engine, is one of the mysteries here. After all, that was one of the biggest differences in ’69 between a Camaro and a Firebird, the engine. Anyway, up for the challenge? It would be great to hear from a reader or readers who have bought a twofer and could share their experience with us.
Wow, this looks like my dad’s yard in 85′.
A couple 69’s ,along with a couple of motors and assorted junk.
Those poor neighbors.lol
Some fun times, especially when a motor swap or something would turn into a party that lasted til 1 am
I wonder if this guy knows the SBC won’t bolt up to the BOP trans
Nice cars when new, these have lead a hard life, too bad.
I confess that I have purchased a parts car only to realize that what I now had was two parts cars.
Like the cars and getting a parts car isn’t a bad thing but let’s start at a more reasonable price and maybe they will sell for $7000 not starts there!!
I like 69 Firebirds, however $7,600 for two parts cars a $200 small block Chevy and a bunch of unseen parts is a bit unrealistic.
Steve R
Hi Steve, I agree but I want to adjust your comment and remove the words “a bit”.
Why would you put a chevy 350 in a Pontiac. Pontiac blocks are classic in their own right. I have restored 2 69 Firebirds.
This jumble will take the buy in and SO MUCH MORE $ to get to a #1.5 or #2 condition – forget #1 = $100,000 for a car worth$30K. and WHEN DONE it will be worth approximately 30% of your investment. IF the better car were a real 400 car at birth with options….it is a MAYBE.
Go buy one done for 1/3 of what this will take.
Paolo hit the nail on the head. 2 parts cars. $760.00 maybe.
A friend of mine just got a 1973 no rust one of the best solid cars I have ever seen for 1500.00 deal of the year.
I’m currently restoring a ’69 firebird 400 convertible. I could see having a parts car at the right price, but these two are both parts cars and way too overpriced. Plus there’s no way to know the condition of any of the sheet metal. As Tom said, if either of these were a true 400 cars and the price was anywhere near reasonable, I could be interested. Plus I’m in Seattle. Bill
I had the great pleasure of owning a yellow/black 69 Firebird 400 back when they were new cars. That car remains my favorite car of my lifetime. But there’s just no way I’d pay 7k for these junkers.
God bless America
This probably should be made into a ’69 t/a for max $ return. & IMO a ’69 f/b dynacorn made into a t/a(or a challenger convertible dynacorn made into a hemi 4 speed) might be the only 2 ways to make profits on those new car bodies.
Even an accurate clone starting with a Dynacorn body will cost more than it will be worth, if built to a high standard. If someone were to cut corners and not use accurate reproduction parts that would cut its resale value even more.
Steve R