Where to start? After filling up my "commuter" F250/460 truck a few weeks ago for triple digits, I decided it was time for a gas saver. Spent the weekend with my family test driving the most run into the ground commuter cars around (trying to find a cheap one). Really feeling crappy for both my price range and the type of cars I was looking at, I get up Sunday morning, turn on the computer, go straight to Craigslist-Cars/Trucks, the first add to pop up just a couple minutes online: 1969 Firebird 400 at just a little over the price as the gas savers. The smirk on my face must have said it all because my wife said "what are you up to"? After saying it might be crazy, I don't know Firebirds, but I know a solid car when I see one and at this price it's either too good to pass up or a scam!

Well I end up being the first caller and get the details, decide to buy it as long as I can come and verify a few things. At that time I knew enough to check date codes and VIN on the Block based on my past Chevy experiences. By the time I get to see the car this guy's phone is ringing off the hook, every ring making me hurry even more. Quickly verify the VIN on the front of the block and see nothing but some surface rust on some more recent dents, the vinyl top was removed as the "start" of fixing it up (no rust under it anywhere!) and the engine wasn't running as the alternator, A/C pump and valve cover removed (again the "start" of fixing it up that never went anywhere for 6 years), Interior aged and cracked, cheap paint job, bad tires, etc...a little rough, but a solid 400 FB!

So I get it home a couple days later, had to get the logistics worked out, and find out (based on what I can find online) its originally Palladium Silver/Black Top, Black Interior, Original 400/330hp with everything original except carb 1970 date on it, Turbo 400, A/C, Disk Brakes, 2.56 axle (weird?), wrong wheels (hubcaps?), also has original Protecto-Plate, warranty, registration, and I'm guessing 136,000 miles. The story as I was told: originally purchased in Oakland, CA, moved to the Sierra's in 1971, sold sometime in 80's to early 90's (I'm guessing to a kid based on the $99 paint job/cheap fog lights/bull horn/late 80's stereo/air shocks in the rear), then traded in to a local Pontiac dealership in 2001, a friend at the dealership knew the guy I bought it from was wanting a project and made him a deal on it, at the time it was drivable but smoked heavily, he parked it in the garage and tinkered until the day I bought it.

So got it home and had to clean up the garage to start another project and just now getting serious into what to do with it. I want to keep the value there is in the car but don't want to restore it right now (would rather clean it up and enjoy it and restore someday as a father/son/daughter project). It appears a PHS is a good investment just to know what was original and what not to do (I wanted spoilers but don't want to devalue it, read all the threads don't want go down that road just yet and also the hood tach, always thought that was the coolest). I have a rebuilt '73 400 available from my brother to drop in as an interim engine so I can take my time with the original and know that paint/body/top is the first thing. Thinking of leaving the interior for now...

Well had to tell someone my story that hopefully appreciates it and where I am in my thought process, my coworkers and friends just don't quite get why I am on cloud nine with this purchase, but my wife loves it and has already gotten behind the wheel to see how it feels!!!

Any one have thoughts on what to start with and what NOT to do...

Oh and the catch22, still have to figure out that commuter car thing, don't think the 400 solves my fuel mileage issues

Looking forward to many posts ahead (hopefully not this long)...