I am looking at a 67 Firebird 400 Convertible this weekend. I am new to Firebirds and have done some research but I am wanting some opinions as to what to look for and what current values might be. The car does not have the original motor or hood, it now has a built 350, and is a column shift. I have checked the body tag and it shows the 400 option, as well as fold down rear seat. What items came standard on the 400's? The car is currently in primer but the original color was verdoro green with black top/interior. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks
Patrick

Everything in the 400 package was 'bolt on'. Mostly the engine, badges and the 400 hood.

I think the most important thing to watch for when buying any first gen convertible is the solidness of the car. Make sure the doors line up and there is not body flex when you stand in the door jamb. You can fix em when they get weak but it will cost you dearly in time and money.

Agreed, as with most cars , look for rust in the wheel wells, behind the wheels on the fenders and 1/4's in the trunk & floors... all the typical areas. But as mentioned, the rockers are the most importaint part as they are structural in the verts.

Check the top opperation and frame. Check how the body panels line up and fit. Look for any previous major damage inside and out.

Verts will have an "X" pan underneith in the middle of the floor pan, typically vibration dampners or "Cocktail Shakers" at each corner (large cylinders bolted in) you can see the ones in the trunk corners easily.

The 400's should have a trunk 400 emblem, the 400 hood with emblems, the Arrow emblem on the nose of the front bumper, and chrome trim in the center of each grill (Hockey Sticks) TH400 tranny etc. As mentioned these are all bolt on's.

Hope it works out... if not... there are many more out there! So don't jump at it if your unsure!

Good luck, let us know if you pick it up!

Brett - 67 Drop Top 455!

OK, a disclaimer first. This list is totally overkill and is not meant for you to go thru and check off. Its simply a list that I created for people to serve as a mental guide when looking at a car. Its hard not to get excited when looking at the car so I came up with this so you can mentally organize your thoughts before/during.
Take what you will from it and good luck.
/forums/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=26;t=000005

Oh yeah.. How could I forget about your list Joe? Nuf said!

Brett!

Hey Patrick, I do not beleive that the body tag will show that it is a 400, only if it is a V8. There were a lot more 326 convertibles than 400's.

Kybird, On a 67, The body tag dose show the options that the car came with. For it to be a real 400 car it would have a 3F on the tag.
( 67 only year that had this )

Jim Goodrich 67 conv 400

http://FirstGenFirebird.org/show/closeup.mv?CarID=711

Thanks, I decided to look this up after I typed! I was orignally thinging of the VIN which indicates 6 or v8.

Patrick, you can also order the PHS for a modest fee on it and it will tell you what the car really is and how it really came from the factory.I do not personally have it for my car but i hear it is worth every penny.

David

Patrick if you have the vin do the PHS as David says. They have a fax back option for an extra $10 if you need confirmation quickly, good luck http://www.phs-online.com/order.htm

Patrick: Where in Missouri are you? If the car is in Kansas City I might be able to look at it with you. I can tell you just about everything that is missing from a 67 convertible as I learned the hard way with mine.
Rob

I am in Columbia, I am going to be looking at the car Friday evening, it is north of KC in St. Joe. I will probably wait till after I look at the car to see about ordering the PHS, no sense spending the money if the car is more of a project than I am looking for.