I figured it would be good to gain a consensus from my fellow Firebird enthusiasts. I have a'68 Convertible I restored a few years ago. I recently have a line on a '69 Convertible. It's a factory air, factory garages, 4-speed 350 2V car. She's in rough shape. No top but has ribs and header still there. Rust in usual places...quarters, fenders, valance panel, bit in floor. Does not run. Engine is not together but there. AC system is apart. Needs work for sure. I have an understanding of how much it's gonna take to bring her back from her current state. My question is, what should I offer to purchase the car. The current owner wants around 7K. She's not a RAM Air or 400. So I'm not sure where to start on making an offer that's reasonable. I appreciate your thoughts.

$4-5k tops. All comes down to how much overall bodywork is needed, and how many hard-to-find parts are missing.

Numbers matching, maybe a tich more, but nowhere near 7k.

Craig is more generous than I would be(but then that's why he has several and I only have the one). I would say, depending on body work and complete-ness, $3500 tops.

I appreciate the input. I've been looking for a '69 convertible project for a little while now. I like the options on this particular car but i'm just am not anxious to throw good money away that ill need to put into actually restoring it.

I will bid $3499. Good luck !

Thanks! We shall see what happens.

Start your offer as low as possible. All they can say is no.

Exactly. I'm planning to start low for sure.
I'm still baffled to how Bird values are lower then Camaros. The smaller details Pontiac designed into the Birds, the marker light Bird emblems for instance, stand the test of time. I just scratch my head thinking when will everyone else realize these cars are equal and more stylish then the Camaro. Just saying.

Some people are just die hard chevy fans no matter what. It's the power of advertising. Like mopars and their hemis.

So, went to look at the '69 Bird today. What a sad state of affairs. Looked like it was parked in a swimming pool for 10 years. Very sad to see a car that is original with some cool options at the brink of non-repairable. Person wants way too much for it. It's basically a parts car. Too bad. My quest for a '69 convertible continues.

Whoops just read your reply. When you say it has "no top" make sure that the frame is all there. PY is still selling the latches for CHEAP!. If the car has the black hold downs then that is very good. If not you'll have to live with the white repop's. Other pieces to look for are the rain gutter, tack strips, bolts, hardware, etc

Thanks for the heads up. I'll keep these particular parts in mind.

Yeah it sucks how some of these really cool vintage cars end up. Good deal that you used your better judgement and didn't get it. You see alot of people using their hearts and not their brains. There will be more.

Update on my search. So in my '69 convertible quest I come across a '69 H/T true factory 400 bird - PHS verified. She has her original engine, factory 4 speed Muncie, along with factory A/C -including all SoftRay Tinted glass, AM FM radio, and factory gauges, front disc brakes, P/S - it's a numbers matching complete black plate California car with little to no rust. I couldn't resist and after a very reasonable offer she's tucked away my garage. It needs a good going over for sure but a great place to start. I just couldn't pass up adding the H/T to the stable. It looks nice sitting next to our '68 convertible. I'm sure glad I have an understanding wife!!

Congrats on the new bird. Did you ask for permission or beg for forgiveness?

Definitely a lot of both!!!

We need pictures!!!!

Will do. I'll finish my honey do list this weekend and post some photos.

OK...I give up. How the heck do you post pictures????