Hey all,
I had a thread in the tech forum but this is a more appropriate place for my topic. The tech forum helped me determine what things to look for and what things to avoid. I appreciate everyone's help and have narrowed down my priorities.

I am looking for a titled 67 or 68 firebird (don't really like the front of the 69), V8 4spd in decent shape to make into a solid driver. I want this to be a project so I'd like to buy the car for around $2k-$3k. I do not want to make a show car, just a powerful bad*** driver. A purchase within the next month or two would be great.

Drivtrain:
Original motor/trans are not necessary, but I would like them to be from the pontiac family from 67-69. I want the car to be in running condition (motor starts, trans shifts smoothly, clutch has life left in it). Tuneup/minor repairs are fine. Mild mods are ok, but no hot rodded drag motors.

Body:
No paint job needed. I can deal with minor dents, dings, and rust, but do not want to have to weld in new body panels. Replacing bolt on panels is fine. I'd really like a 400 hood and the spoiler (trans am?) on the decklid. Tach on the hood would be a plus, but not necessary. I can buy the hood later. Would like to avoid rotted rockers, rear window surround, doors and jams, and hood cowl. I would like the car body to be complete, missing emblems/ lights are ok I suppose.

Interior:
I can deal with non factory seats and carpet if they are from a camaro or something, but not the silly modern racing seats or gutted interiors. I'd like to avoid having to get seats upholstered or replacing dash.

Frame:
I do not want to weld in floor/trunk pans. If the frame to body pads need replacing/ cleaning up/weld reinforcements, I can deal with that. No bent frames.

Options:
It would be nice to have power brakes and steering, and AC. Power windows and rear defrost are not necessary.


Of course the rules can be bent if the price is right, but what I am looking to do to the car is make it into a safe, reliable, powerfull, comfortable, nice looking driver.

If anyone has any suggestions on how to change my request, where to look, or basically anything, please feel free to school me!

Thanks everyone, James

Suspension/Stearing/Brakes:
I can redo, but would like all of the components to be there.

Ok, the link below is to the car I am looking at now.
68 firebird, chevy 327, 4sp muncie, 410 posi rear
This is the description:
$2500
body work 90% complete, needs floor pans for driver front and rear and passenger front and rear,needs battery and spark plugs(runs but has sat for 2 years)
needs minor electrical (work like new ignition switch,spedometer,oil pressure gaige,marker lights put back in (taken out when doing body work,etc,,etc,etc)

I am waiting for the vin and to see the car.

Any thoughts?

Looks like a beast! I still think you might get a better deal by spending a little more up front.

Clean west coast car: http://monterey.craigslist.org/cto/2113678659.html

You could put a nice 400 in this and be way ahead: http://centralmich.craigslist.org/cto/2108921259.html

Another possiblity:
http://bakersfield.craigslist.org/cto/2106701047.html

One out your way:
http://syracuse.craigslist.org/cto/2103023081.html

This fits the description of a "bust" I was referring to yesterday.

This looks promising. Need more info though. Might want to much money for it.

Ok,
It seems like the cars you found all have solid bodies on them, but most have no motor/trans, or its not installed.

I'd really like the car to be a running car (drivetrain all hooked up and working). This way I know I can take it all apart, clean up, tune up, and put back together without needing to scavenge too much.

Spoke to the guy in Syracuse, sounds kinda sketchy. He doesnt hvae the title (can get the registration and transfer papers), and doesn't know the vin! Aside from that, needs floor pans and motor/trans are apart, incomplete, and not in the car! The body does look solid tho.

As for the NJ bust car...I am ok with the floor pans, my co-worker is itching for a project to work on and wants to help me with this. He is a professional welder. This may be a good oportunity, if the interior is complete and the drivetrain is solid. All I need is for this guy to call me back!

Thanks, I'll keep looking and posting links.

you really should up your budget if you want a solid running car.

Jarett,
Thanks for the input. I am finding cars that match my description in the $4k area. This is close enought to my $2-$3k range that the rules can be bent if the car is solid.

I found a 69 400 4sp in South Carolina for $5k. The listing is old (4 months) and there are few details so I hope to beat the price down a little. I spoke with the owner and am waiting for pics and more info. What I know so far is that it is "taken apart" and "has everything". I need to see pictures to interpret these statements. He said it has some body rust, the motor runs, and the trans is the only thing missing. He has the interior but I do not know the condition.
I will post pics when I get them.

Thanks again, James

Hey all,
I'm still looking for a firebird, but with no luck so far. I've mainly been checking ebay, craigslist, autotrader classic, and classiccars.com. Again, 67 or 68 V8 manual with a solid body/frame. Running condition with clear title. Convertible would be fine but not required.
Any suggestions?
Thanks, James

I posted a few today.

Gus, below is one I am interested in.

68 convertible 350

I have not seen the car, I am waiting for the owner to get it from the mechanic who has been taking care of it for many years for the owner. It is a 350, matching number with an auto trans. Not powerglide or turbo. Its an auto on the floor (I'm assuming this will be easier to convert to manual than on the column)

It has a tear in the roof, fiberglass hood with pin releases, and new carpet. Floor pans are supposed to be solid. Engine runs well. Cylinders for auto retract roof are not working. Owner says the body is in great shape.

I will check out the car when the owner is available. If the body and frame are really solid, it is truly drivable, and the interior is complete...does $6000 sound like a fair offer?

Does the fact that this is a numbers matching car really raise its value much? It isn't a 400 and I don't want an automatic.

Vin is 223678u107955

Thanks

Tough to get excited about a car with one pic. If you change the tranny it's not numbers matching anymore.

Fiberglass hood sucks IMO.

Check the body out and get a bunch of pics, then we can all discuss it.