So as I look for a bird to purchase, I am making a list of MUST haves and NICE to haves.

Among the nice to haves I wanted to get a feel from those on this list how difficult [or easy] some options would be to add myself.

The gauge cluster would be awesome...I like knowing what is going on with my engine. (temp, oil, volts)
Has anyone added this to replace the Fuel only gauge?

Next: The rear fold down seat. Is that easy to acquire and retro fit to a car w/o that?

I would think that these small retro fits would be acceptable as they were options available from the dealer.
I like keeping cars original as possible.

Do all firebird convertibles have power tops? I assumed they did. [My mom had (still has) a 1971 LeMans Convertible with a power top.] and just assume that was standard on a vert.

thanks!

james

Conversion to Rally Gauges requires some involved modifications to the non-guage wiring harnesses OR replacement of the OEM underdash main wiring harness (including the fuse block) and the engine wiring harness in the engine compartment. The wiring mods are described in detail in the FAQ's here. You also have to change out the entire gauge cluster (both speedo and fuel module) along with the circuit board behind the cluster.

You CANNOT just swap out the RH fuel gauge with Rally Gauges. Besides the changes in wiring and circuit boards, the non gauge speedo has only the LH turn signal light, while the gauge speed has both at the bottom. In addition, the temp and oil pressure sensors on the engine are different. The gauge package was also only available as a factory option due to the changes involved. This is completely different from the option console mounted gauges for Camaros.

Photos and details are here:

Gauge Cluster Differences

Gauge cluster can be done, but its quite painful and you need to purchase the correct senders. I have done it, and probably would not do it again. Looks cool, but idiot lights function as well. I think I have an xtra couple of sets of '68 rally gauges I may sell some day. ('67 and '68 are not the same)

I have done three rear fold down conversions now, and sold two additional ones. Keep in mind that '67 is different than '68-'69, but will interchange if being 'correct' does not matter to you. Seat covers for fold downs are available, but are not the same as non fold down covers. Some of the fold down parts are available, but not all. You need most of a donor seat and trim from a fgf or 'Maro. I would call this a 'very cool but completely useless' option. In my experience, '68-'69 seats are way harder to find than '67. Not sure why, as there were less '67's built.

"Most" firebirds came with manual tops. I don't know actual numbers, but in my experience, I'd say 10% - 20% tops were power. (pun intended)

Good luck!

Thanks for the feedback.
As I look for cars for sale, it seems really hard to find manual transmissions. I have that on my needs to have list.
I just find driving so much more enjoyable when I can shift.
Were there records of what was ordered/built for things like convertibles with manual transmissions to give me an ideal if I am chasing a unicorn or not.

Several years in LA traffic cured me of this need...

Yes, there are manuals out there. I picked mine up about three years ago. I put in a new interior and fold-down. All my other 'birds have been automatics (about 12-13 others since '79)
I would have to say, driving the 4 speed is the most fun when you are just cruising for enjoyment. But on a day to day basis or needing to constantly drive somewhere, I agree with woven.
You can always do a trans swap to a four (or three) speed as well.
Pontiac Historical Services can sell you a build sheet and window sticker once you have found a car. But they don't have much for compiled lists regarding options or anything like that.
There definitely were more auto trans cars built than manuals, but they are out there. I looked for 9 months back in the middle 2000's before I found my red 400. Other members have looked similar amounts of time for their cars as well. Keep hunting! Oh, and I wanted to mention that having a power top is also no big deal. Just more things to go wrong with those. Now that I also have my first power top 'vert, I'd rather stick with manual!

Thanks.
Yea, I bought a dream car 22 years ago in college (Triumph TR6) and had to use it many times as a primary vehicle around Washington DC. ugh. that thing does not want to creep along at 2 mph when the clutch is let out. I still own that car and I love it, but always loved the 68 firebird. They have really shot up in price over the years.
Where would be the best place to look for a manual transmission that would match the car? would it be considered numbers matching if I swapped it out as long as I used a original era tranny?
It does seem like it would be a pain to figure out how to install the clutch pedal and slave unit, but i can image the pedal box area is standard and straightforward to add a clutch pedal as needed. Just as they would have at the factory.
Speaking of options, factory A/C. would that have to undergo a conversion to be used with modern day refrigerant? That would be nice to have - has anyone added after market A/C to chime in about that?

Power top: My TR6 has a manual top and I would be fine with that...I agree...less to go wrong. I guess it was nostalgia of my mom lowering her top on her 71 lemans.

sigh....too bad the recent blue one on ebay went for such high money. still seems a tad too much for a firebird. but i understand why it was such a rare car. (in case folks didn't see it...
http://www.ebay.com/itm/1968-Pontiac-Firebird-400-4-Speed-Convertible-100-Correct-NO-RESERVE-/261635020834?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2047675.l2557&nma=true&si=QaNHJJp%252FuZz6SDLDLlvC%252F%252BkRA6k%253D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc

well, i am in no hurry and will keep looking. good to know what i can change later or what i would be getting into.

My top is manual. I would have preferred power, but it doesn't bother me that much.

I love having a manual tranny. My car was upgraded to a 5 speed before I bought it, which is one reason I bought this particular car. I love having a modern easy shifting 5 speed, but even still, it's not that great in traffic - which thankfully I'm not in much. Turns out there are some quirks to upgrading to a 5 speed though, which, as with most stuff on this car, I'm learning the hard way.

Re: ac, I have a non ac car. Probably wont add it because I live in AZ and I don't think it would do much good.

Happy car shopping. The guys here are very helpful.

Wow...he finished early previously at $35,100... so was worth his while relisting it and selling at $43k.

I have the fold down seat option, had the car over a year and never had it down...two speakers are preventing it moving (even with covers off)... strange thing was amongst the copious pics the previous owner sent me, the back seat was down and speakers intact...

I would definitely not make a power top a deal breaker. I have a power top on my current bird and a manual one on my first bird. Not that big a deal to put it down manually. You will lower your population considerably.

Swapping to a manual is not that hard. Did it on my first bird and toy with the idea currently. At this point in my life however, it doesn't make a whole lot of sense to pull a perfectly functioning, albeit a terrible design (ST300), transmission. Simply there are no enough gears in the ST300 IMHO.

I installed a fold down in my originally not 69. Was a pain in the a$$. They totally worthless basically. I have deluxe int and haven't had the seat up since it was put in. I figured if I went to all that trouble at least people should know it was in there. Basically just a conversation piece. I agree that I have seen many more 67 fold down seats than 68-9.