Hi All.
I'm spanking new to this and my first post. Would love some idea's and eventually be asking for help.
My son and I picked up a 68 drop-top as a father son project. I've never done a restoration but we have a passion to do so. It originally had a 6 cyl, but comes with a 400 and turbo 400 tranny, neither of which are in the car. Wondering if we should restore back to original. Are the OHC 6's hard to come by?
The car was a base model. Our other thought is to stick with the V8, add disc brakes, ram air hood, rear spoiler, custom ineterior. Just looking for ideas from the experts who have been through this before. We picked the car up (true barn find) for 4K with a 67 coupe parts car. No rust and stored in... yep... a barn. I'm willing to invest another 15K into this and will have professionaly painted. I dont however, want to start down a path only to blow my budget and stick more into this than it would eventually be worth. Would love to hear thoughts and suggestions. Thanks!

The 400 clone will be a better bet in the long run.

Set it up the way you want it to be, and then enjoy it with your son for the next 20 years.

You can't go wrong.

My '67 is a father /daughter project.

Good luck, and keep us informed of your progress!

Craig

Just be sure to save all the original parts, if you ever want to switch it back to original. And take lots of pictures of every part of the car before disassembly, it might prove crucial when trying to fit everything together again (ask me how I know this...)

Good luck with the project.

Goran

I would say make it what you really want. As far as drivetrain, I personally would go with the 400, but a 6 would be pretty cool in my opinion, and I bet it could draw a decent crowd at a car show. As far as custom interior or paint, do what you like, take a look at other cars on the internet and get an idea what you like and go towards that (I originally wanted to make mine completely original, but then I realized that white is a boring and plain color, so I spiced it up and swapped the top and body colors).

Another thing that I found to be really helpful is to bag and tag every nut and bolt you pull off the car. I cant tell you how many bolts ive lost on the earlier projects by just throwing them into a box or container. Also pick up the chassis manual, I found it the biggest helper the digging into my first '69. and dont be afraid to ask any questions, because there are tons of people here all experience levels willing to share thier knowledge.

Good luck, and lets see some pictures of the project!

As an owner of both a 400 and OHC, both versions are great projects. I chose to save my base OHC coupe from the fiat most cammers fall pray to, the V8 swap. The OHC-6 is a great engine, and if you care to add some upgrades they can be as powerful as some V8's. They aren't cheep to rebuild, but neither is the Pontiac V8. Parts for the OHC are out there, and relativity inexpensive because most are pulled for the V8 swap.

If I were to take on another project 'bird, I'd op for another cammer, just because of the price of fuel these days. I get 16 to 20 MPG out of my humble 1 bbl 3spd manual base '69 'bird. But having a V8 gives one more of a grin when stepping on the gas. I'd have to side with keeping it original. But it's yours and your son's prerogative to do what you want. And that's what it's all about.

Welcome aboard Colorado! keep us clued in on the progress of your father/son Firebird restoration.

Welcome aboard Colorado...personally I'd go witht the 400 and keep the other parts as well. You can add the other bling on as you go and see fit...

a 'regular' OHC is not that valuable, so if you want more fun out of it go for the 400 setup...IF you sell it , I bet that non orig setup w 400 probably will sell for more $$ than the 'original' anyway

Depends on if your going to let your son drive it to school(don't know how old he is). The 400s can be dangerous cars in the wrong hands. I don't know how many times I've heard the same story from somebody about the one they, or their buddy, used to have that got wrapped around a telephone pole.

Robert

I appreciate all the responses!
I think we'll stick with the 400. My son is 15 and he wont be getting the car... maybe in 20 years... he knows this and is fine starting with something that has air bags. We spent the last two days stripping it down to a rolling body. I guess we'll start on the suspension next. I have more questions that I'll post as another topic.
Thanks again for all the suggestions!

I have a bone stock OHC 68 convertible. I've been tempted many times to change it but since it's a complete car I'll stay with the 6, although I may change it to a Sprint 6 when restoration time comes.
But had it been as you discribe yours I'd go with the 400, even though I have the same car I think you're making the right choice.

And welcome to the FGF forum.

The 400 is the only way to go. You ask what avenue should you take to keep from blowing the budget: Strip the car, total interior and front end. One thing I've noticed about rust free cars is that people don't seem to understand the car and in what areas to look, even people who one would expect to know better. The stripped car helps uncover the surprize areas.

You got that right. No point in painting over hidden bodywork of unknown quality.

This will be the hard part. At the end you will probably have more money into it than it is worth. It's inevitable. Just accept this fact and try not to keep a running tally like I do. It will only frustrate you.

You won't make money in the short term, but if you restore it nicely and hold on to it, it will eventually pay you back and then some.

Driving and enjoying is the payback. Just don't go broke in the process, formulate a plan and budget, and add 50% for what you missed. Anything left over is a bonus for the gas tank and insurance.

Converting from standard to custom interior requires replacing all the window regulators with either custom regulators or power regulators, switches, and harnesses.