Ok, I may have found a Firebird, but it is one of those unpleasant colors (IMHO): I think it is the Turquoise.
Has everything else and totally redone. Just the color is bad. But it is factory original and is it a sin to change that?
I haven't had a paint job done in a while...any ideas how much a paint job cost by a professional place? I'd take off all the moldings myself and NOT looking to go to MAACO! :-)

cheers.

james

Do not pass Go! Do not collect $200!

LOL! Changing color is entirely up to you. If you are worried about resale, then it becomes an issue.

Hah. It has everything else (power top, Factory AC, gauge cluster) 350 engine and has had engine/trans/diff work.
all numbers matching.
all for a great price.
hmmm. Paint jobs are a PAIN to cover up colors.
I've seen so many sell recently for top dollar without numbers matching or paint.
I could hold out for numbers matching with ideal original paint color and the rest is just icing.

I may as well save up and hold out for a 400 so I can have the awesome hood scoops (stock)! I have gotten over the desire for Manual....which is good.
I read on HaroldB's site (http://www.firebird400ho.com/) those puppies in manual trans are rare!
wow. I had no idea.

Hmm. I thought the turquoise shade was highly prized and many FGF owners (like me) would prefer it to how our cars came painted from the factory (Verdoro Green here)

Gotta agree with salmon on this one. Can you verify specifically what color (paint code) it is?

Getting back to the question, I'd say as long as you stick to a stock '68 color and its what you want, I don't think it will much matter in the long run. Perhaps a couple percent on price either way, unless you go with some obscure color like Primavera or Cameo. I see those colors sit for sale a LONG time. And make sure the color you pick would have been in combination with the interior and top. (you can see that from PHS)

If you are buying the car to flip it in a year or two, I wouldn't bother. A good repaint, depending on the body shop or if you do it yourself is likely in the range of $3500 to $6000. A full frame off is probably over $20k.

Also keep in mind that current trends frown on red and black cars. I see MANY people walk right by my solar red 'vert to get to the blues and greens these days. But you should do what YOU want, not what the rest of the herd thinks.

Quote" Gotta agree with salmon on this one. Can you verify specifically what color (paint code) it is? Quote"



X3 If it were my car I would leave the turquoise... If that is truly what it is- it is a beautiful color. I was ogling over a vert this summer at a show with a turquoise ext and int combo.

Mine is red/red, and I wish it had the parchment interior, but I am not changing it during resto as the car itself is pretty collectible and Jim from PHS told me not to mess with it, or it will drive the value down. There again- I suppose it depends on the buyers preference...

I would not buy the car if it is so original and that I would have to change everything to make myself happy. Just couldn't screw up a car so original.

Since you are not happy with your red/red car I will let you sell it to me cheap.

Thanks all.
Here are some pics...if I uploaded them properly.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/51414881@N06/sets/72157649226709026/
(you can see some graphic 'flare' on rear quarter panels. :-)

It is pretty, but I would LOVE a blue Firebird. Several nice blues in the 1968 paint code.
Like the Aleutian Blue. Ahhhh. And a White top!
So I would definitely keep an original color code and keep the white top. And it isn't for flipping...
i guess I was asking because finding a 100% original car seems to me a bit sad to change anything.
But color changes happen all the time and is 'easy' to turn back to original unlike finding the original engine after someone removed it and put in some Chevy engine! hah.

It is hard to tell if this is the factory color....looking at a poor scan of the paint codes.
I need to call the owner to see what the commission plate says. Who knows, maybe it was originally a
nice blue color, but it is advertised as 100% original. Now that I think about it....who knows if it is even for sale any more. I see OLD ads living out in the interwebs. Found TWO awesome vehicles that were selling for $26-$29K a few years ago. and one was a 400 numbers matching. wow. prices/demand must have shot up in a couple past years.

Wow, lots of homemade interior work on that one. Haven't seen a 'bird with a trailer hitch since I took one off my '68 back in 1979.

Looks like Meridian Turquoise. Yes, Aleutian Blue with a white top is a BEAUTIFUL combo!

Prices have definitely started an upward climb the past couple of years.

LOL, I think I can make it work!

Besides, others are in line WAY before you.

Shock-

Have you seen this one on Criagslist? Blue vert with white top. According to description its very original. Noticed he dropped the price 2k from where he started.

http://columbus.craigslist.org/cto/4741588532.html

I like you was looking for a blue one for a long time and nothing really was out there. "Settled" for Flambeau Burgundy. The color has really grown on me though.

Maybe it looks nicer in person. Glad to hear it is a desirable color and the feedback of opinions.
Because I would not want to be the one to ruin an original car and one that is considered great. That custom interior would be changed back to original though.

68tols400:
I saw your one car painted in Aleutian. (beautiful!) What color was it originally?
And you placed 400 badging to "clone" it.
(I do love the hood scoops versus the standard 350 hood. )
Question: Do you regret changing the color or the hood on your cars?

I would plan on keeping the car for MANY years. Not buying to flip or sell in a few years.

Hi Jim.

I LOVE the Burgundy! I got excited when I saw this one: http://www.collectorcarads.com/Pontiac-Firebird/36625
Until I realized it was an old posting. This isn't by chance yours, is it? Went for a great price i think.

Thank you for the craigslist ad. I did see that one and been chatting with the owner.
not many options of this either. (thats ok i guess) other than power top.
Needs some TLC. Needs a new or repaired section of the floor board.
Has a Transmission has a leak.
Needs a new interior.
The front bumper is damaged and not sure if more is damaged or just the bumper/brackets.

Does anyone know how OEM bumpers compare to the Repo ones?

I do love the BLUE color. thankfully there were several awesome blue color choices in 1968.
Timeless and beautiful colors.

Nope that one isn't mine. Mine is a 350, and very similar to the blue one with the options. Honestly my body isn't as nice as the blue one either but will have some work done on it this winter.

I would think the blue one the guy would be willing to come down some...he did drop it 2k pretty fast.

Ok, the Blue one in Ohio just has a power top.
no AC or disk brakes.

This one...Turquoise has the following: (Sounds awesome and is for $22,500K!)
SOunds like a good deal to me, even if i did change the color. I dunno...what do others think?
Talking to both owners today about different things.

-------------------Info from the AD regarding the car is as follows----------------------
I Have Owned This Car Since 1978 And I'm The Second Owner Although I Have No Documentation To Back That Up. This Firebird Is An Excellent Driver. No Shakes, Rattles, Squeaks, Or Smoke. Stops Well And Straight With Power Front Disc And Drum Rear Brakes.

it Received A Complete Frame Off Restoration Over A Six Year Period And Was Completed In Dec 1993 With (1)03k Miles Showing, Which Also Included Engine, Trans, And Rear End Rebuilds. Has Been Driven Less Than 1000 Mile Per Year Since, Today Shows (1)24,217.

Garage Kept On High Ground And Never Been Subjected To Flooding Therefore It Is Still In Excellent Condition, Mechanically And Cosmetically.

Everything Operates As It Should And Consists Of:
- 350 - 4bbl Pontiac Engine
- Th350 Auto Trans W/ Floor Shifter And Console
- 2.73:1 Rear Gear
- Cold Air Conditioning (r134a) & Hot Heat
- Power Top
- Original Am Radio That Has Been Retrofitted With Modern Electronic Am/fm Internals W/ Aux Input

Update on the car.
Just heard back regarding the "Turquoise" car...and it looks as though it was originally Verdoro Green!
Hah.

original color: "it is a 1992 Ford Bright Calypso Met Green. Orig was Verdoro (the 'Army green' looking color)"
Interesting. Now I would not feel as bad change to yet a different color...especially since this was not a factory color.

Is this located in FL panhandle? If so, it's been foresale for a while. You might be able to work the price some.

My Aleutian 'vert is wearing her original color. White top, teal interior too. It gets the most attention of all my cars.
I put 400 hood and emblems on her, but I kept the original hood so it could always go back. But the 400 hood adds just SO much to the looks of the car. My wife drives that one, and I get to every now and then if I'm good.

I have had my Flambeau 'vert for three years now and have no intention of selling any time soon. My original intention was to redo her in her original color, but I'm now toying with going with Aegena Blue. That blue looks sharp with the white top. But I have another four or five months to decide. Might see what Jim's car looks like before I completely change my mind. (unless he changes his)

I still say as long as you change or replace things with 'correct' '68 parts, you will be fine when it comes to resale. (Unless you are doing a 100 point show car resto or something) Drivers will generally pull good $$ regardless.

It is indeed in Florida.
Probably the color is holding back the sale. Good to know I may be able to wiggle the price.
Especially since I have to have it shipped diagonally across the country (to Portland Oregon).
I would not feel bad changing the color and interior back to stock White or Black.
It has everything else and supposedly engine/trans work refreshed.
I sure like the AC (that has been updated) power top and gauge cluster. all on my "nice to have wish list.

I may need to fly down there to decide in person.
But under the gun as the owner plans on going to some car shows to try and sell it.
(i don't like that kind of pressure).
ekk.

The Blue one in Ohio is nice, but needs some work and the engine looks awful (cosmetically) and probably needs updated hardened valves.
decisions decisions.

Ya sounds like he is pressuring you. It has been for sale at least since April.

http://forums.performanceyears.com/forums/showthread.php?t=752454&highlight=68+firebird

Ok, JUST found out it is NOT a numbers matching car. Whoops. I most have assumed that.
well, that settles that. not worth it (to me)

Will hold out for something better. I appreciate all the input to help me consider my Firebird.
Maybe back to the Ohio car, but in my twenties I went through the restoration process and not sure
I want to deal with too much of that again...at least not now. Which means paying more, of course.
I'd have to list out what exactly needs to be done. At least with engine and transmission stuff....I drop
off the car and magic happens...including the money disappearing act. But I don't have to put in the time and blood. Tears, yes...in the form of vanishing money.
hmmm.

I did see this beauty:
http://www.haggleme.com/Vehicle/71968/1968-Pontiac-Firebird.aspx
But man is it pricey for a 350. I think. I guess like the company name goes: "haggle me." hah.
All original with factory AC.

I keep requesting more photos, but not happening yet. The owner is going through a 3rd party.
Thoughts?

FYI: The original details did point to it not be a numbers matching car. The TH350 trannys were not installed in Firebirds before 1969. The '68 350 Firebirds came from the factory with 2-speed Super Turbine 300's

Oh. I didn't realize that. I asked a buddy that works at a tranny shop and told me TH350 or 400 were the two options.
I didn't consult my book, but will look for that next time and the rear end ratios. So much to look at.
I suppose if I want a great driver that is not original, I'll have to inquire what were some of the best modifications.

$45,000 car? LOL! What's he going to do? Spend 100k and turn it into a resto-mod? That's the only way I can imagine a base V8 convert would get to that #.

What concerns me about the $18K one on craigslist is the messed up bumper. I've read stories on this site about the China-made nightmares. And many other things need a lot of refreshing. Engine, Trans leak, interior, dash. It all adds up fast.
This one is totally ideal to me - also with AC... http://www.haggleme.com/Vehicle/71968/1968-Pontiac-Firebird.aspx
but fairly steep price for only having a 350 V8. IMHO.

Dude, IMO- that car is WAY overpriced for a base V8...38k- really? Haggle me is always way high as well. Just my 2 cents, don't jump at something you don't want- another will always come down the pipe. Be diligent with your searches and wait for that special lady to show up. (But when she does go like hell to get her, it's a dog fight)

I totally agree. $38K for a base model. yikes.
I did see this one (same blue color) but it has a replacement engine/transmission.
http://www.oldcarsandmore.com/cars-for-sale/1968-Pontiac-Firebird-27391
I wonder why it only has 500 miles on the rebuilt engine/tran...after all that work and money, why sell it so soon?
Maybe they enjoyed the 400 for many years, but needed rebuilding to get fixed up for selling.

Seems like so many of these cars have non stock engines/trans. I wonder what happen to the stock engine/trans when they switched out. I personally like cars all original, but it's become clear so far that pursuit will be harder to find than I thought.

Quick side note/question: What's the deal with people jacking these cars up. Why do they feel the need to lift the car up two or three inches like that? The cars look better low slung ! and the 67/68's look like crap when the wheel/tire is out of the wheel well in the rear. Looks way out of place and messes up the appearance of the car. Yuck!

It's what you did in the 70's and 80's.

Yeah I know that. I had a 77 Chevelle Malibu that I jacked up but it looked awesome like that. The 67/68 Firebird looks terrible jacked up with the way the wheel wells are made. Of course its just my opinion but dang man ...............

I wanted mine All original too! Got it and now im changing things left and right! mainly drivability mods though. I will be doing an engine swap and preserve the original 400. Just in case