Just joined the Forun.....

I have a 1968 400 4SP Convt (White w/ Red interior ps pwr top dlx interior) that has been in dry storage for 25+ years. It's a complete original unrestored number matching example in very good drivable condition but I want to do a well documented concourse restoration on her. I am the 3rd owner and have all service records since it was purchased new. I recently contacted the original owner and she was glad to hear the car fell into good hands and has some oringinal pics of her with the car that I will hopefully get. I have been slowly purchasing parts for 20+ years and plan on starting the restoration this fall.

It's great to know there are resources like this out there for first generation Firebirds.

I Look forward to tapping into the resources here and will post pictures prior to and during the restoration.

Firebirds Rock !!

Welcome to FGF. Sounds like a great find.

Attach some photos for us to ogle over.

Awesome, sounds exactly like how mine started out, as a barn find!6 years ago

OK, Here's my first attempt at posting a picture, hopefully it works. Not a great picture and is quite a few years old but you get the idea.

I am also torn as to keeping it a 100% original or making some sensible upgrades, suspension etc.

It is only original once. I am on my second frame off restoration, but both my cars were basket cases...

Very nice. What part of Maryland are you from, grew up there as a small kid.

Nice car! Great project car. If you have the nos. matching parts I would keep it stock.

Keep it stock. Just add some nice Rally II wheels.

Wow, I amazed at the quick number of responses from so many Firebird fanatics !

You have convinved me to keep it as stock as possible. I am thinking to atleast add front disc brakes as it has drums up front currently but otherwise keep it stock.

I've read a good bit of the forums but I'm sure I'll have plenty of questions come up during the restoration and yes I already have a set of Rally II rims that came off a 69 Gran Prix so they are period correct. Also have purchased the new trim rings and center caps. I can see though I have a lot of research to do and knowledge to gain as I go through this process. I'm expecting 3-4 years to complete the restoration as I plan on doing a complete motor rebuild & rotisere as Dave Langly, I just don't think I would be satisfied unless I did.

Thanks for all the responses, really fires me up for the project.

Challenges are what makes life interesting. Over coming them is what makes life meaningful.
Carroll County, MD
HD

A car like that I would even try to keep, not just stock, but original, as original as possible ,if its close enough...
fix dent(s), stuff like that and match the paint ,keeping the rest original as a survivor....
even the hub caps....

Congrats on a great find and welcome to a great forum! If you mock this car up to a pro touring machine with a Chevy engine, you'll find many face palms here, LOL!

Keep us posted with plenty of pics!

That is a nice find. have fun

At least don't change anything that can't be changed back. I'd do the disc brakes and keep the drum stuff to give the new owner if you sell. Though hub caps are ugly, it makes the car unique since you rarely see a classic car with hubcaps, even though the vast majority had them back in the day.

I put discs front and back, kept the drums and the old master cylinder.

Keep the rims and caps, swap in Rally IIs. That's the easiest thing to change back!

Nice find! Original as possible is nice, but when your safety is in question, upgrade.

If you put on disc brakes are they anti-lock or is that something else to add?

If a car has its original driveline, I always encourage people to keep it stock. If someone wants to modify a car, there are many nonstock ones to choose from out there.

The only nonstock thing on my car are the Rally II wheels. I will probably put the original hub caps, which are just like yours, on one day so let me know if the Rally II's you have don't work out.

Nice car with a great color combo. If your polling, I like the hub caps for the reasons already mentioned. It's too bad Pontiac didn't use dog dishes, I've always liked that look on vintage muscle.

Looks like a very nice car. When you find a car in that kind of condition, I say keep it as original as possible. Hold off on the restoration until it actually needs it and enjoy it in it's original form. They are so rare to find this way. Fix the dents, and repaint just what needs it, and keep the rest.

My car has almost all of it's original paint, with a very good colour match on one fender. I plan to keep it this way until it actually needs to be painted. To me, there is something cool about still having the original paint on the car. No matter how high quality the restoration is,it will never be original again.

Value is an interesting thing. Numbers matching, as close to original as possible seems to increase value in the market. Yet there is the resto-mod scenario that goes away from pure stock to re-engineering cars with modern drivetrain improvements; some of these cars command high dollars on the market. It is obvious you have held onto the car for many years and plan on keeping it forever. If that's the case, then do what pleases you with the car. I grew up in Royal Oak in the 60s and 70s, watching the muscle cars on Friday and Saturday nights in the 60s and getting my 400 bird and joining the fun on Woodward Ave in the 70s. Most folks modified their cars for improved performance. Cragars and headers/duals were probably the most common upgrades. We looked at a car to see what mods from stock were on it; in those days, the more the better! Beautiful bird and a really nice start. Best of luck to you.
Dan