Hi all,

New to the forum, but I'm getting ready to buy my second first-gen Firebird. My first was a bone stock 68 Sprint that I did a driver cleanup on about 8 years ago. This new one is a numbers matching, second owner 1967 400 car. Originally verdoro green w/ gold interior, but it was painted black about 20 years ago. Everything I've seen looks just as I would expect, except its a column shift automatic. I've seen nothing at all that would indicate that it was ever anything different. All the tags (and original sales docs) indicate that it is a 400 car. I'm just having a hard time finding information about a column shifter as an option, and every other 400 auto I've seen has the floor shifter. Is that a common setup and I just haven't ever seen it? I'd appreciate any input you folks may have.

Jake

AFAIK Column shifter was std, console an option...

My '68 factory 400 car came with a column shift. The block had been replaced but the tranny and shift setup were original. I converted it to floor shift.

My '68 400 'vert is still equiped with its factory column shifter. It also was built without a hood tach. (Another misnomer) welcome to the club!

Welcome to FGF.

I strongly suggest you get the original factory paperwork on your car from PHS:

Pontiac Historical Services

Thanks guys! I figured it wasn't really an issue, but it was hard to find pictures online of one that still had the column shift. This one doesn't have a hood tach either (although I may have to add one...). I did do the PHS documentation back when I had my 68 Sprint, and I'll definitely do the same on this one. I'm actually just waiting to hear if he's still willing to sell it. He's had some bad experiences with potential buyers that may have changed his mind on selling it at all. He's had it for 20 years (2nd owner, and the car has been in the Portland, OR area its whole life), and he doesn't want to see it chopped up or turned into a drag car. I assured him that I'm a sucker for originality, so I'm hoping he's changed his mind and is willing to sell it to me. Hopefully I'll know by this evening sometime...

Thanks again for the quick responses. Glad to see there's an active community for the Firebirds. I've also been heavily into the 67-72 Chevy trucks the last few years, and the community over there is invaluable. I'm finishing up a 1970 short-wide box 2wd C10 right now, so the Firebird will be my next project on the blocks (hopefully).

Hi this is for Wovenweb, did you covert to be stock or a upgraded shifter? Did you install a console? I’m working on my 68 Vert now and am contemplating converting it, but wanted to make it look original. Just like the look. It’s hard to find a powerglide floor shifter in good condition.

Thanks!

Sorry, I didn't see this until today. Conversion was to a stock shifter. Consoles are available, may need to be painted on the sides,and shifters are also still out there. Shouldn't be a significant difference between Powerglide and TH shifters. The difference will be between years. I have a spare '68 shifter that I will sell at my cost ($75).