Hello everyone. I'm trying to decide if my 69 400 4sp man is worth fixing up or just selling. I have owned this car for a while now and just keep putting off a full restoration. The frame is good but the rear is a typical 69 and needs fixed. I know its impossible to estimate but in general I would like some input from you experienced owners on what to do. Whatever info you need from me just ask
It all depends on if you plan on keeping it or not. If you want a 69 400 4spd then it's worth fixing. If not, then it's worth selling and buying what you do want. I have a 68 that I think is worth fixing, other people, like my grandfather, would say that its not. If you have the ability to fix a lot of it then I say fix it. If not then you might be better off selling it and putting that money toward one that is done.
Restoring a 1968 400 4spd, numbers matching Firebird Coupe, Verdoro Green. Larry
Do you want a Firebird to restore but your not sure if the one you have is worth restoring (i.e. purchase price + restoration costs >> than final value)?
OR
Do you want to restore the one you have to flip it to make a buck?
Engine Test Stand Playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLwoxyUwptUcdqEb-o2ArqyiUaHW0G_C88 restoring my 1968 Firebird 400 HO convertible (Firedawg) 1965 Pontiac Catalina Safari Wagon 389 TriPower (Catwagon) 1999 JD AWS LX Lawn tractor 17hp (my daily driver) 2006 Sequoia 2017 Murano (wife's car) 202? Electric car 203? 68 Firebird /w electric engine 2007 Bayliner 175 runabout /w 3.0L Mercuiser__________________________________________________________
Depending on condition, you could spend upwards of 30k on an excellent frame off resto (hired out).
Most cars are not worth that these days, unless they are pretty rare/special.
A body on resto would be in the 18k to 22k range.
I used to be indecisive. Now I'm not sure. I feel like I am diagonally parked in a parallel universe. 1968 400 convertible (Scarlet) 1976 T/A - 455 LE (No Burt) 1976 T/A New baby, starting full restoration. 1968 350 - 4 speed 'vert - 400 clone (the Beast!) 1968 350 convertible - Wife's car now- 400 clone (Aleutian Blue) (Blue Angel) 2008 Durango - DD 2008 GXP - New one from NH is AWESOME! 2017 Durango Citadel - Modern is nice! HEMI is amazing! 1998 Silverado Z71 - Father-daughter project 1968 400 coupe - R/A clone (Blue Pearl) (sold) 1967 326 convertible - Sold 1980 T/A SE Bandit - Sold
Thanks for the information Gents! I definitely have some sentimental value attached to the vehicle. It was my neighbors sons car and he kept it stored there at his parents for years. He would take me cruising in it when back home on leave from the military. I always wanted it but he insisted that he eventually would have a son someday to pass it on to. 4 kids later he finally had a son! Anyway, I ended up getting it during some rough times and paid a pretty good price to be fair at the time. Well 16 years later and it still sits ( now mostly apart ready to go to the shop) in my garage. I paid $1000 back then so I'm not hurting at all starting out. In comparison, which resto would you all suggest? The rear is by far the worst. Trunk pan, tail light panel, quarters all need replaced. The rust isn't into the area where the seats are and the rockers are solid. I guess my thinking is that if I'm replacing all that metal....go for the full. Are these 400 4sp cars worth it in final value.
You might want to order the PHS for it to specifically see what you've got. If its a numbers matching 400 4 speed, that would be worth saving.
I used to be indecisive. Now I'm not sure. I feel like I am diagonally parked in a parallel universe. 1968 400 convertible (Scarlet) 1976 T/A - 455 LE (No Burt) 1976 T/A New baby, starting full restoration. 1968 350 - 4 speed 'vert - 400 clone (the Beast!) 1968 350 convertible - Wife's car now- 400 clone (Aleutian Blue) (Blue Angel) 2008 Durango - DD 2008 GXP - New one from NH is AWESOME! 2017 Durango Citadel - Modern is nice! HEMI is amazing! 1998 Silverado Z71 - Father-daughter project 1968 400 coupe - R/A clone (Blue Pearl) (sold) 1967 326 convertible - Sold 1980 T/A SE Bandit - Sold
Where are you in Mo? I may be close enough to lend some support and I still have a few parts left. I'm in the middle of 1 restoration and have another 69 in waiting. I'm about an hour and a half north of ST. Louis
Jerry Tallman 69 455/4sp Windward Blue, deluxe parchment bench seat, under major restoration je_tallman@yahoo.com
I have a 69 well optioned coupe that I have been debating on keeping or selling as I found a 69 vert that is consuming all my time and money. I have even though of robbing the power steering and disc brakes off of it for my vert but can't bring myself to do it. Thinking I would rather sell it then scavange it
86 Pontiac 2+2 69 Firebird Coupe(Under Construction) 69 Firebird 4 speed Vert Driveable but Under Construction 64 1/2 Mustang (Under Construction) 86 Z28 Convertible Weekend driver
Where are you in Mo? I may be close enough to lend some support and I still have a few parts left. I'm in the middle of 1 restoration and have another 69 in waiting. I'm about an hour and a half north of ST. Louis
Hey Jerry, I'm north of KC about 5 minutes. If I decide to do it I will definitely pick your brain sometime!
I have ordered the PHS from years ago. I can't figure out how to post a pic so I'll list whats on here. code Firebird 400 , 345 Radio p/b , 382 whl dsc-dlx , 451 Rally GA "cl , 484 disk brks-f , 511 glass-s/r-al , 531 spg"shks-r/h , 621 mats-fl-rear , 632 4spd trans , 354 grds-dr-edge , 412 strg whl-dlx , 461 pwr strg-var , 501 trim-brk-pdl , 514 h/restraints , 571 mats-fl-frt , 631 cordova top , svt