Hi everyone,

First post here, getting started with the restoration of my 1968 Firebird convertible, for the second time, 30 years later, the first time there was no internet, just books and photocopiers and telephones. Since we have lots of time now due to the current world situation and my son and I just finished our shop build, what better way to spend the time off. So I fired up the excavator and we pulled it out of the snow yesterday and will hopefully get it in the shop today, just need to move a few things around.

I bought it May 1990, it was a California car and and it came as a 350 2 bbl with a 2 spd column shift auto, drum brakes all around and in need of new top and some body work. In the first 2 years I made the following changes, and she has been the same for the last 30 years.

Installed Super T-10 4 spd, late 70's T/A steering box and 1.25" front anti sway bar and 3/4" rear. Front disc brakes, I think from Nova, KYB gas shocks, headers dual exhaust, new carpet, usual rust repair and paint. I bought all new emblems but never got around to installing them, and I know I still have them, just need to find them.

So this won't be a full blown show car resto, just want to make it look nice and run well and make a few upgrades so that my son and I can go on a road trip this summer. It will involve new paint, wheels, tires, top, 400 hood, 3.42 posi from 2nd Gen TA, maybe a 5 spd, still looking at my options, rear spoiler, possible TBI system, and a whole mess of other maintenance things that it needs after sitting all this time. Last time it was driven was 2015, but hasn't been daily driver since the 90's.

I have looked around this site and there is sure a lot of info to digest, so different than 1990.

More later.

Cheers

Welcome to the site. Looks like you've got a bit of work ahead of you. There are a lot of beautiful cars built by the guys and gals on this site that started off in worse shape. l wish you well and hope you enjoy it.

Nice car Love the blue! White or blue on inside? We can give you lots of help with your restoration. I have a 68 coupe and 68 vert, both stripped .down in progress. I had a T10 as well.

Good luck...

Thanks guys, appreciate the welcome.

Yes, lots of work, but it's fun work (mostly) and will certainly be rewarding to finally drive it again. We got it into the shop today, after a downpour and hailstorm, of course, just before we move it. Pulled the hood off and got most of the leaves and debris out of it. It's going to take a while to dry out so may be firing the wood stove tonight to speed it along. I want to start it tomorrow so we can move it around and in and out of the shop, so when it's sunny it can be outside drying. I turned it over by hand and everything feels good, I may pull the distributor and rig up a rod for the oil pump and at least pressurize the oil system.

That blue color had been on 4 of my cars over the years...it's a '74 Cadillac color "Royal Mist Metallic" Centari # 42821A2, but ya can't buy Centari anymore. The interior is black. I'm probably going to paint it blue again, something similar.

More updates later.

Cheers