Production numbers-----new guy here, so bear with me if this is already posted somewhere else, or has been discussed a million times already.
How many `68 convertibles were produced with the Sprint package(OHC w 4bbl.)? I may have found one to buy, but didn`t even realize this combo existed ! Is it real or a fake?

Oh it's real. The sprint package is a nice one to have, speaking from an OHCer 1bbl owners POV. I don't know the actual #'s but figure on a few thousand units, both conv & coupe. The OHC-6, both 1bbl and 4bbl were not as popular as the V-8 versions. Low sales #'s and the second gen 'bird killed off the Pontiac OHC in line six. The 2nd gen base 'bird had to use the Chevy in line six cylinder, with no 4bbl version. Snap it up since the prices for these OHC cars is a good bargain now.

Actually the OHC was fairly popular considering. The OHC accounted for 21.4% of '67 sales, 17.3% of '68 sales and 24.0% of '69! Contrast that to what happened when the Chev six was offered - '70 saw only 6.4% of Firebirds with a Chev engine. That increased slightly to about 10% in the late seventies. Had the OHC still been available at the same time, I'll bet that the numbers would have been much higher, possibly close to 50% during the "gas shortage".

Who knows why Pontiac chose to drop the OHC instead of offering it in the Ventura body? Most likely reason was the cost to build them, but by then the tooling was paid for.

My first car was actually a Sprint cpe. w/ 4bbl.,so I`m somewhat familiar with the engine, just never knew of any convertibles with the OHC-4BBL. So, does anyone know or have any advise on where I can find out how many of these were actually produced? I know the # of Sprints produced in `68, and I know the # of ragtops produced in `68, but I don`t know how many ragtops were Sprints?

Mike, another member here Quenton (PMI USA) probably knows more about those particular OHC Sprints than all of us put together. Send him a PM or email. Great guy with mucho knowledge.

Total Sprint production for '68 was 2525 units. I haven't seen a breakdown of coupe vs convertible for 1968 but suspect that the number is between 300 and 400 based on other years and the usual conv. to coupe ratio of 1/6.

Fred Simmonds of GM was cited as a source for the 1969 Sprint production numbers, showing about 250 Sprint convertibles of which about 210 were manuals from what I remember. Maybe he has the '68 production numbers too. Apparently he's the one who found the old documentation that is the basis of PHS.

Some digging here might garner more info:

http://sohcsix.yuku.com/

Thanks, I will pm him with a few more questions, in the near future!

Now this is some really good info.-----major thanks!!!

O.K.---now a really loaded question-----given the info. and numbers above to be correct(or at least somewhat close), how much is one of these worth(approx.) in fair to good condition, been repainted, near full restoration, and no apparent rust, with a 4spd. console, and std. interior ??????????

We have the production break down for 1967 and 1969. I'll dig into the numbers later this week to see if I can find the break down for 1968.

There were 551 '67 Sprint Convertible Firebirds.

The "worth" of the car is relative to many factors, including such things as the color combination. They are typically less than the 400 V-8 cars of the same vintage and condition, even though there are fewer of them. Being rare doesn't necessarily mean being valuable.

Oh how I wish some people selling parts would realize that.

That would be great if you can find production numbers for the `68 Sprint conv.`s ! Thanks alot for the help with this. By the way, are you 'Quenton', if so you have been recommended by other members of this board for good info. If I buy this car, I`m sure we will be doing some business, as I have already looked over your list of perf. parts and services.

Yes, that's me.

The 1969 production number for Sprint Convertibles is 267; still digging for 1968 numbers, though I found one reference that claims the breakdown for 1968 does not exist. It might be contained in the 1967-1969 Firebird restoration guide, which I do not have.

When I ordered the PHS for my 1967 Sprint Convertible, the production breakdown was part of the package. Perhaps someone else has run their '68 VIN through PHS and might be able to provide some info. I have a 1967 and 1969 - no '68 yet.

One of those 267 Sprint drop tops is here in Columbus. I met the owner by chance.

There was a red one here, manual trans, about 3 years ago. Pretty far gone, though. Owner wanted $4500 for it because it was so rare.

One sitting in my garage in Tranqulity NJ.3spd manual....

I just might have to make a trip across the river and visit you

Any time Mike all fgf people welcome!!!

So, what do you all think is a fair(avg.) price for one of these 'rare' birds in good condition, restored in `95, 4spd. w/console option, supposedly no rust-ever(I haven`t seen it yet, in person).....?????????
Give me some numbers, highs and lows

The low is easy ...

The high is completely up to you. Don't get emotionally invested in the car. That's an easy way to spend too much. However, in just a few years, what you spent on it will feel like a bargain, almost regardless of how much it was. (Within reason, of course.)

How desperate is the seller? How desperate are you?

Before you shell out any money for the car, run the PHS. (Unless, of course it's in great condition and he only wants $5K for it.) I was once contacted by a buyer AFTER he bought a "Sprint" only to find out that the car was originally a 1-BBl car. He was unable to resolve the issue with the seller. It may have gone to lawyers to settle the matter, which was easily avoided if he'd have done all his homework before buying the car.

For the car you describe - being a convertible - it probably would be reasonable to expect to pay between $15K and $18K if it is truly a Sprint. The 4-speed option is less common than the 3 speed. The trans is probably a Saginaw. Peek under the car and see if it's a steel case transmission or an Aluminum case. If it's too dirty to tell, the magnet you brought along to look for bondo will come in handy. Compare your results against the PHS.

There's NOTHING in the VIN to tell you whether the car was originally equipped with a 4-Bbl. You must run the PHS. ( www.phs-online.com ) They have Fax-Back service if you are in a hurry. One word of caution, though, is that the PHS is not always 100% right. You have to compare it to the billing history to be certain they've done their high-lighting correctly.

Low side for a Sprint drop top in fair shape, $10 to $12K. In very good condition, $16 to $18K. Although the OHCers are more rare than the V-8 cars, the market leans to the bigger cubic inches. If you have a chance to buy a Sprint, go for it!

If those numbers are what the market is bearing for fair shape convertibles, then my recent purchase was a steal. I'd drop the bottom and top on "fair" by a couple grand.

Here's where it gets tough. You will spend as much or more to restore a Sprint as a 350 or 400, and it will be a thoroughly enjoyable and unique car. But should you decide to sell, you will not see the same increase in price due to your improvements as you will on a 400 car. If you plan to keep and enjoy the car, then this difference makes no difference.

Sprints are a lot of fun, especially when coupled to anything other than the two speed auto.

And don't forget the main reason for the six in the first place: better fuel economy, which means that you can drive the car more for the same cost. That may or may not be important to you but that's why I'm replacing the 400 with an OHC in my '69. I want to use my car every day like I used to when gas prices were lower.

Neither combo is stock but I have the numbers matching drivetrain in the shed.

400 cars only bring the high dollar if they have the original drive train. The paperwork only matters on numbers matching cars. Once the original engines are gone the playing field is level. Then they are all just 'fun' cars. If you have a fun car all you have to do to make it worth the most possible is make it quality and fun. These fun cars are going for high amounts too. A high quality non numbers matching 1st generation Firebird convertible can be worth upwards of $25K(easily). It has to appeal to many for it to be valuable on the market. If you are an investment minded 1st Gen owner then watch which cars go for good money and adjust your car to meet the market demands. I've seen some entirely non original cars tastefully altered bringing very good money lately. For a recent example here's a coupe that was altered and brings a good price. Notice that it started life as a 6 car. I think there was room for improvement so the price could have been higher;
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Pro-Touri...1QQcmdZViewItem

Here's a convertible that had lots of room for improvement and also had some good offers; http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1969-Pont...1QQcmdZViewItem

Agreed that anything goes with non-matching cars. Then it comes down to quality and features rather than originality. But a 400 in any body brings more buyers, and usually more cash, than an equally nice 350 2 bbl matching car at present. The original 350s haven't hit the desirable status that commands $$ above condition. This will change.

As for modifying to meet the market, I think that in the long run the cars that are most original will see the biggest increase in value. Think of all the modified cars of the '80s that we have to "fix" to make original again, or re-modify to current modification standards.

But as former owner of an immaculate Sprint LeMans, I can attest to the fact that selling a prime numbers matching Sprint means hearing many people saying "if only it had a V-8"...

They just don't know what they are missing, and as the Sprint requires a special kind of owner (one who actually maintains a car, not just drives it until it breaks), I was not going to sell until I found someone who appreciated it for what is was and didn't plan to GTO-clone it. And although I got above top-dollar for the Sprint, it didn't hit the level of a 326 HO or 400 car.

I put 3,000 miles on my Sprint from July through October, and enjoyed every minute of it.

Looking forward to drive my new old 1bbl ohc that just joined the nest here, looking for gas milage and fun. It is an unmolested origional with 77,000 miles and will be my driver. The bodies a little rough( so is mine) but the interior is a 9 out of ten, going to pull the rear seat out on wed to look for the build sheet, As far as the numbers going up I think sooner or later they will go up but your right not like a 400 car, but thoses cars are getting scarce so the next rise is going to be the 350 cars.

The 1bbl is no drag car, but it's still a lot of fun. What transmission is behind it?

Hey Quenton,
Did you ever come up with any actual `68 numbers ?

I can give testimony to that!