For all the 68 400 H.O. owners, I thought you may find this of interest. I posted it over on my site http://www.firebird400ho.com/68-firebird-400-h-o-valuation/
but thought I would post here to for every one.

I have been reviewing price guides for the 68 Firebird 400 H.O. and have noticed most of the guides break down the values by models. I first looked at the 2014 Collector Car Price guide and notice that the 68 Firebird 400 H.O. was skipped over.

It listed the 330 HP 400 and the 335 HP RAM AIR I but not the 335 HP H.O. What is the deal with that I wondered. So I started checking other guides and all were the same way.

I did notice that Classic NADA values listed them by HP rather the model. You select the engine and HP that you car came with, along with other components and it is a pretty accurate guide but not the Restored concours Firebirds.

I came across the Hagerty Value Guide one day and it also skipped the 68 Firebird 400 H.O. so I thought I would send them a email and find out why the 400 H.O. was skipped.

I sent an email to Glen Arlt, Hagerty Historian asking why the rare car was skipped in their valuation report. He sent my email to their valuation expert who responded as follows:

“After researching the market for these cars, we have found that we cannot find a distinguishable difference between values of the 400 H.O. and the Ram Air I. We have been able track sales of cars both at public auction and EBay listed as having the 400 H.O. engine and have seen them selling for the same price range we have listed for the Ram Air I.

Ultimately, with the engines being similar and outputs being the same, it is difficult to say that the 400 H.O. could fetch a higher value unless it went to the right collector seeking out that option specifically. Instead of a collector looking to score a 335hp firebird, regardless of the engine. That is why we do not have the two listed separately in our books.

It is a very cool and unique car, unfortunately we haven’t been seeing any noticeable difference in values from the Ram Air I.”

I thought this was very interesting and it is something the 68 Firebird H.O. Owners should be aware of when it comes to putting a value on your beloved 68 Firebird 400 H.O.

Thanks for putting that out there Harold, so it looks like they are classifying the HO cars with the RA1 cars according to selling prices.

I tried to use the Hagarty tool as well and found no HO's. The cars should be identified separately no matter the value otherwise how is someone to know to use RAI nos. Perhaps we should all email this guy individually requesting that category..

I would think that more data about specially cars should be useful to appraisers and owners alike.

When it all comes down to value, agree that the HO and RAI are scarce.

But...

The 400 HO manual production was just over 1400 and the manual RAI was a shade over 300. The RAI auto was 92 and HO was roughly 700.

Both have D port heads (same cc) both have same long branch manifolds..difference being cam and RA cars have the pans. As well, 3.90 or 4.33 gears and M21 trans for the RA.

I would never think my HO would fetch half of what an exact optioned RAI car would sell for. Reason? Pedigree and production totals.