I bought the car just over 3 years ago. It had 21644 miles on the odometer, which I believe to be correct. It is numbers matching although it does have one number off as has been discussed previously in the forums. I checked with PHS and they said that is no big deal. It is red with a white power top and Deluxe white interior, Air conditioning, 4-spd, PS, 350 2 BBl engine, 3:28 axle, Rear manual antenna, Rally II wheels, AM radio, Custom Sports Steering Wheel, Tilt Wheel, Console, Front Disc Brakes, Tinted glass, and Custom Pedal Trim Plates. I spend the winters in AZ. The car is kept garaged in AZ year round. I have added a Hood tach, New side mirrors, and replaced the AC compressor. I bought the car as a "driver" but I haven't driven it much; it has only 22600 on it now. It is definitely an eye-turner and I almost always have people coming over to talk about it whenever I take it out. I don't usually show the car but I did get a top 10 people choice award. Now for the negatives: When I wrote to PHS I found out the car was produced as a Verdoro Green car with a Black top and interior. The Paint and Trim plate in the car have been changed to reflect the current color and trim. That seems like someone went to a lot of trouble and brings into question whether any other changes were made. I do have documents that show the odometer reading is apparently correct. I love the car but I am really not driving it that much to justify keeping it. I am 77 years old and don't find the 4-spd to be as alluring as it once was. I paid $32,000 for it 3 years ago. That would be the starting point. If you are interested please reply.
I bought the car just over 3 years ago. It had 21644 miles on the odometer, which I believe to be correct. It is numbers matching although it does have one number off as has been discussed previously in the forums. I checked with PHS and they said that is no big deal. It is red with a white power top and Deluxe white interior, Air conditioning, 4-spd, PS, 350 2 BBl engine, 3:28 axle, Rear manual antenna, Rally II wheels, AM radio, Custom Sports Steering Wheel, Tilt Wheel, Console, Front Disc Brakes, Tinted glass, and Custom Pedal Trim Plates. I spend the winters in AZ. The car is kept garaged in AZ year round. I have added a Hood tach, New side mirrors, and replaced the AC compressor. I bought the car as a "driver" but I haven't driven it much; it has only 22600 on it now. It is definitely an eye-turner and I almost always have people coming over to talk about it whenever I take it out. I don't usually show the car but I did get a top 10 people choice award. Now for the negatives: When I wrote to PHS I found out the car was produced as a Verdoro Green car with a Black top and interior. The Paint and Trim plate in the car have been changed to reflect the current color and trim. That seems like someone went to a lot of trouble and brings into question whether any other changes were made. I do have documents that show the odometer reading is apparently correct. I love the car but I am really not driving it that much to justify keeping it. I am 77 years old and don't find the 4-spd to be as alluring as it once was. I paid $32,000 for it 3 years ago. That would be the starting point. If you are interested please reply.
Can you post some pics? I doubt the car has 21k on the odm. I doubt it's num matching either.
Strange options: "Air conditioning, 4-spd, PS, 350 2 BBl engine, 3:28 axle, Front Disc Brakes," for a car /w 350 2bbl
I can put some pictures together. I had a brain fart with the axle, it is a 3:23. The matching numbers are absolute (plus or minus 1) although I'll be damned if I can find the stamp on the engine right now. I did find the "WC" which is correct for a 350 2BBl with Manual transmission. After I got the PHS documentation showing it was a green car with a black interior I too became very suspicious and when I found the engine number was 1 off the VIN, I wondered who would try to cheat on the numbers and then make it 1 off. I talked to Steve at PHS and he said that is not uncommon (See recent discussion on the forum concerning this). As to the exact mileage, I can't absolutely swear that it is accurate but I have two signatures on previous transfers that state that the mileage at those times were accurate and they are less than the present mileage. The wear and tear on the car of that age seems to be consistent with that mileage. I would have never paid what I did for the car if I didn't believe the mileage was correct and maybe I got taken but it is a beautiful car and I will be very happy to keep it if someone doesn't want to pay my price. The car also has dual exhaust and a trunk mounted luggage rack. Can anybody tell me how to attach photos to these posts?
I can put some pictures together. I had a brain fart with the axle, it is a 3:23. The matching numbers are absolute (plus or minus 1) although I'll be damned if I can find the stamp on the engine right now. I did find the "WC" which is correct for a 350 2BBl with Manual transmission. After I got the PHS documentation showing it was a green car with a black interior I too became very suspicious and when I found the engine number was 1 off the VIN, I wondered who would try to cheat on the numbers and then make it 1 off. I talked to Steve at PHS and he said that is not uncommon (See recent discussion on the forum concerning this). As to the exact mileage, I can't absolutely swear that it is accurate but I have two signatures on previous transfers that state that the mileage at those times were accurate and they are less than the present mileage. The wear and tear on the car of that age seems to be consistent with that mileage. I would have never paid what I did for the car if I didn't believe the mileage was correct and maybe I got taken but it is a beautiful car and I will be very happy to keep it if someone doesn't want to pay my price. The car also has dual exhaust and a trunk mounted luggage rack. Can anybody tell me how to attach photos to these posts?
What you do is click on Reply and then scroll down and select "File Manager". Add jpg file using the dialog. Size the pics down so the files are not too big. Send me a PM /w your email address and send them to me if you like and I can put them up for you.
If you looked closely at the car you probably right about the mileage. Lots of guys think they have low mi and it turns out they were'nt after all It would be nice to have a low mi car. Mine is in a million pieces.
You have.some cool options but I little odd. Dual exhaust for a 2 bbl?
My 1st owner was a bit off center as well. He ordered a 400HO vert /w A/C .HO's get 3.90 rear ends and A/C cars get 2.,56.
lol
Engine Test Stand Playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLwoxyUwptUcdqEb-o2ArqyiUaHW0G_C88 restoring my 1968 Firebird 400 HO convertible (Firedawg) 1965 Pontiac Catalina Safari Wagon 389 TriPower (Catwagon) 1999 JD AWS LX Lawn tractor 17hp (my daily driver) 2006 Sequoia 2017 Murano (wife's car) 202? Electric car 203? 68 Firebird /w electric engine 2007 Bayliner 175 runabout /w 3.0L Mercuiser__________________________________________________________
I am going to try to follow your instructions. I took these pictures using my wife's new Iphone and I don't like them very well. I did find the motor number by putting the car on the hoist. Lo and behold, the numbers match the VIN exactly. When I looked at the number before using a mirror and standing on my head, I thought the last number was an 8; it is 9 which is what the VIN is. This time I scraped off the paint and chalked the surface. I have included a picture of the motor number which I assure you matches the VIN and the PHS documentation for this car. For more pictures or other information, I can be reached at cmjmcd@cox.net. Can't get it to work. I guess we will have to go with plan B.
WOW, nice car Chuck. Looks like a survivor. Definitely a 21k mile car. The sticker price must be high on this car as there are a lot of good expensive options. $4k??
Should not be any trouble getting a good dollar for that car. Prices have gone up since you bought it. Your not go to find a low miles car everyday of the week.
What is the build date of the firebird? They had a bulletin where you could not get AC with a V8 and a manual transmission. So having AC on this is pretty rare.
Should be a spring '68 build if the rectangular driver mirror is correct.
And passenger door should not have a mirror. Likely an Owner mod somewhere along the way.
Nice car though. Please post some pictures of the engine compartment.
I used to be indecisive. Now I'm not sure. I feel like I am diagonally parked in a parallel universe. 1968 400 convertible (Scarlet) 1976 T/A - 455 LE (No Burt) 1976 T/A New baby, starting full restoration. 1968 350 - 4 speed 'vert - 400 clone (the Beast!) 1968 350 convertible - Wife's car now- 400 clone (Aleutian Blue) (Blue Angel) 2008 Durango - DD 2008 GXP - New one from NH is AWESOME! 2017 Durango Citadel - Modern is nice! HEMI is amazing! 1998 Silverado Z71 - Father-daughter project 1968 400 coupe - R/A clone (Blue Pearl) (sold) 1967 326 convertible - Sold 1980 T/A SE Bandit - Sold
Correct, no RH mirror but it was supplied in a dealer box (1 LH Remote, 1 LH Rect (installed on RH side).
Yes, but that car does not have a remote.
I used to be indecisive. Now I'm not sure. I feel like I am diagonally parked in a parallel universe. 1968 400 convertible (Scarlet) 1976 T/A - 455 LE (No Burt) 1976 T/A New baby, starting full restoration. 1968 350 - 4 speed 'vert - 400 clone (the Beast!) 1968 350 convertible - Wife's car now- 400 clone (Aleutian Blue) (Blue Angel) 2008 Durango - DD 2008 GXP - New one from NH is AWESOME! 2017 Durango Citadel - Modern is nice! HEMI is amazing! 1998 Silverado Z71 - Father-daughter project 1968 400 coupe - R/A clone (Blue Pearl) (sold) 1967 326 convertible - Sold 1980 T/A SE Bandit - Sold
So if this was a spring 68 build how would the AC option got added?
All I meant is that maybe the A/C 4 speed restriction was lifted in spring. If it were a fall build, (round mirror) then it would look fishy...
I used to be indecisive. Now I'm not sure. I feel like I am diagonally parked in a parallel universe. 1968 400 convertible (Scarlet) 1976 T/A - 455 LE (No Burt) 1976 T/A New baby, starting full restoration. 1968 350 - 4 speed 'vert - 400 clone (the Beast!) 1968 350 convertible - Wife's car now- 400 clone (Aleutian Blue) (Blue Angel) 2008 Durango - DD 2008 GXP - New one from NH is AWESOME! 2017 Durango Citadel - Modern is nice! HEMI is amazing! 1998 Silverado Z71 - Father-daughter project 1968 400 coupe - R/A clone (Blue Pearl) (sold) 1967 326 convertible - Sold 1980 T/A SE Bandit - Sold
The AC is not factory installed but is factory air. I would guess it was done at the same time the color was changed and the interior changed out. It was built 05/09/68. I have had the compressor replaced but still have the original and the "muffler" if someone wants to go "original". As I stated in one of my posts, I also replaced the side mirrors (Classic Industries). There was a right side mirror on the car but I couldn't adjust it to see anything. I still have those too. The dual exhaust was not on the build sheet either as well as the rear manual antenna but both appear to be "Factory equivalent". The exhaust has the transverse resonator with the dual tipped pipes coming off to either side. Everything else matches the build sheet exactly. I have a picture of the engine compartment at the time I got the car showing the "factory" air system which I will post separately.
So car is a bit of Frankenstein, but redone to match factory.
I would be real curious to see what PHS shows for that VIN #.
True mileage could be anything.
I used to be indecisive. Now I'm not sure. I feel like I am diagonally parked in a parallel universe. 1968 400 convertible (Scarlet) 1976 T/A - 455 LE (No Burt) 1976 T/A New baby, starting full restoration. 1968 350 - 4 speed 'vert - 400 clone (the Beast!) 1968 350 convertible - Wife's car now- 400 clone (Aleutian Blue) (Blue Angel) 2008 Durango - DD 2008 GXP - New one from NH is AWESOME! 2017 Durango Citadel - Modern is nice! HEMI is amazing! 1998 Silverado Z71 - Father-daughter project 1968 400 coupe - R/A clone (Blue Pearl) (sold) 1967 326 convertible - Sold 1980 T/A SE Bandit - Sold
Master cylinder looks wrong, and engine is painted the wrong color. But the rest of what I see looks pretty correct.
I used to be indecisive. Now I'm not sure. I feel like I am diagonally parked in a parallel universe. 1968 400 convertible (Scarlet) 1976 T/A - 455 LE (No Burt) 1976 T/A New baby, starting full restoration. 1968 350 - 4 speed 'vert - 400 clone (the Beast!) 1968 350 convertible - Wife's car now- 400 clone (Aleutian Blue) (Blue Angel) 2008 Durango - DD 2008 GXP - New one from NH is AWESOME! 2017 Durango Citadel - Modern is nice! HEMI is amazing! 1998 Silverado Z71 - Father-daughter project 1968 400 coupe - R/A clone (Blue Pearl) (sold) 1967 326 convertible - Sold 1980 T/A SE Bandit - Sold
PHS VIN matches the engine number and the cowl plate .
But what do the PHS documents show for the original car build?
I used to be indecisive. Now I'm not sure. I feel like I am diagonally parked in a parallel universe. 1968 400 convertible (Scarlet) 1976 T/A - 455 LE (No Burt) 1976 T/A New baby, starting full restoration. 1968 350 - 4 speed 'vert - 400 clone (the Beast!) 1968 350 convertible - Wife's car now- 400 clone (Aleutian Blue) (Blue Angel) 2008 Durango - DD 2008 GXP - New one from NH is AWESOME! 2017 Durango Citadel - Modern is nice! HEMI is amazing! 1998 Silverado Z71 - Father-daughter project 1968 400 coupe - R/A clone (Blue Pearl) (sold) 1967 326 convertible - Sold 1980 T/A SE Bandit - Sold
The AC is not factory installed but is factory air. I would guess it was done at the same time the color was changed and the interior changed out. It was built 05/09/68. I have ...
Cool,
My bird was born on the 4th week of May, 68 Body Unit Number 7928 built in the at the Lordstown plant
What's your unit number?
Engine Test Stand Playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLwoxyUwptUcdqEb-o2ArqyiUaHW0G_C88 restoring my 1968 Firebird 400 HO convertible (Firedawg) 1965 Pontiac Catalina Safari Wagon 389 TriPower (Catwagon) 1999 JD AWS LX Lawn tractor 17hp (my daily driver) 2006 Sequoia 2017 Murano (wife's car) 202? Electric car 203? 68 Firebird /w electric engine 2007 Bayliner 175 runabout /w 3.0L Mercuiser__________________________________________________________
... They had a bulletin where you could not get AC with a V8 and a manual transmission. So having AC on this is pretty rare.
Why do you suppose they stopped putting AC /w V8's & manual transmissions? Hi RPM's destroying the AC compressors? Is there a clutch on the AC pulley on future Pontiac's in the 70's to counter this?
The build sheet shows: 350 V8 2BBL; 4 Spd; PB Radio, Front Manual Antenna; Rally II Wheels; Custom Sports Steering Wheel; Console; Disc Brakes, Front; Soft Ray Glass, All Windows; Custom Pedal Trim Plates; Power Top; 195R x 14 White Radial Tires; 3:23 Axle. Everything matches the car except for the rear antenna and the additions of AC, Tilt Wheel, and Dual Exhaust.
The build sheet shows: 350 V8 2BBL; 4 Spd; PB Radio, Front Manual Antenna; Rally II Wheels; Custom Sports Steering Wheel; Console; Disc Brakes, Front; Soft Ray Glass, All Windows; Custom Pedal Trim Plates; Power Top; 195R x 14 White Radial Tires; 3:23 Axle. Everything matches the car except for the rear antenna and the additions of AC, Tilt Wheel, and Dual Exhaust.
Based on this, I think not having the original data tag is a slight knock, but not a big thing. I'd say the stock 'upgrades' increase the value of the car much more than the slight decrease due to the missing tag. I think technically it is a (legal) crime to remove or replace the tag in the US. So personally, I would not mess that up more than it already was by a previous Owner. Good luck with the sale, that is a very nice 'bird!
I used to be indecisive. Now I'm not sure. I feel like I am diagonally parked in a parallel universe. 1968 400 convertible (Scarlet) 1976 T/A - 455 LE (No Burt) 1976 T/A New baby, starting full restoration. 1968 350 - 4 speed 'vert - 400 clone (the Beast!) 1968 350 convertible - Wife's car now- 400 clone (Aleutian Blue) (Blue Angel) 2008 Durango - DD 2008 GXP - New one from NH is AWESOME! 2017 Durango Citadel - Modern is nice! HEMI is amazing! 1998 Silverado Z71 - Father-daughter project 1968 400 coupe - R/A clone (Blue Pearl) (sold) 1967 326 convertible - Sold 1980 T/A SE Bandit - Sold
Looks like a great car - I think the rear luggage rack is such a classic look. PM me if you would like me to put it up on our Facebook page and put it out to our members as a nice car for sale. Always happy to help with the FGF hobby!
Thanks for the offer Ken and I may take you up on it later. Right now I'm really undecided about selling. I got so hyped up by the crazy prices at BJ that I thought maybe I should see what I could get for mine. I drove it around the other day and I couldn't believe the responses I was getting from other drivers. One guy, stopped in the lane next to me at a red light, backed his car up and rolled down the passenger window so he could compliment me on the car. An Escalade driver gave me the "Thumbs-up". The NAPA guy talked to me for about 30 minutes (slow day) and the best of all was a young girl (early 20's) that was driving a pickup truck about 3 lanes over from me; she just about fell out of her window yelling and waving at me. If I do sell the car, I'm thinking of buying a new Camaro Vert (with Automatic) to replace it. I told my wife I would never get those kind of responses driving a Camaro. Anybody can drive a new Camaro but not everybody can drive a 68 Bird.
Agree with Ken about the luggage rack. Come to think of it, don't recall when I ever saw one on a first gen. Firebird but I like the look - kind of like Route 66 revisited.
I hope when my restoration is finished it looks as nice. Don't sell it if it gives you joy!
