I have a 1967 Firebird 400 that I am in need of help on how to restore. The car was driven in CT year round for a number of years and has been sitting since 1992. As you might expect, the car has some rust problems on the rear quarters and in a few other areas on the fenders. Car was originally regimental red with a black vinyl top but has been repainted and paint / vinyl top are shot. Has a rebulit 400 engine in it. Interior (custom) is in fair shape but needs new carpeting, headliner, touch up on some of the paint. Without sounding "sacreligious", how do I know if this is a car worth restoring? I had purchased a number of NOS parts years ago (wheelwell moulding, rocker panel moulding, sill plates, 400 bumper emblem, Pontiac emblems, etc.) and have a number of used parts but don't know if I should just use them for the restoration or sell them off and buy myself an already restored car. Any input would be appreciated. Thanks.
Lets see how do I put this.Any idot can buy a restored muscle car with enough cash! But if you have that picture in the back of you head when you look at that roach.Well then your hooked. Is the frame in good shape to warrent putting all that time and money.That's great that you have alot of the nos parts already.Good luck
IMO, any 400 Firebird is worth restoring. Since pontiac got a late start in making the Firebird in '67, it may be more rare than any other year of FGF. Send your VIN to Pontiac historical Sevices and learn all you can about your car that way, well worth the money. Best wishes!
Thanks so far for the feedback. I have not checked had the frame checked out yet and know that that is the first thing I need to do. Steve, I have already sent away for the info. from Pontiac Historical Society in 1996 to get the details on my car. Got the car billing history and everything everything checks out - 400, TH400, custom interior, etc.. Once I see if the frame is ok, I will need to track down a body shop to help me with the restoration. I should also have noted that the reason I kept the car was in the hope that I could restore it some day. I had a GREAT time driving the car and even in the shape it was in, it still got a lot of looks from everyone.
I have owned my 68 400 HO HT for almost 20 years and I'm nowhere close to getting mine where I want it, but still get plenty of looks when I cruise it! That's the fun of it, getting people to apprieciate a vintage muscle car. I say GO FOR IT!!
I also was wondering, with all the options you see available for sale that you can add to the car, is it better to restore it to the "original" specifications or to add as many "new" options to it? Any thoughts?
In my humble opinion , it depends on your car as it is now. If its close to'original' and you can keep it that way it prob. will be more valuable in the future, but if its 'bastardized' as mine was when I got it( I still try to do it mostly original ), I`d just 'go for it' , make it fun for you! Add all your options as you like. Mine was a 350 car , midnight green w/ dk green it and top, it was lt blue for awhile before made red w/ black deluxe interior ,I have added 400 hood , since former owner added 400 engine. I have added 70`s T/A exh tail pipes, a dash clock , under hood chrome (valve covers, air filter cover,brake fluid cover and so on).the car has chevy SS rims , nor rallye II`s , aftermarket tach and wood steering wheel. Most people that see the car have no idea , but any " Firebird nut " will. It turns heads everywhere and is fun to drive , it does what I want out of it. What do you want out of yours? Have fun today! Nobody promised a tomorrow, Bjorn
I agree with Bjorn, it depends the condition of it now. My Firebird is very clean and original except for trans, rear, and possible engine. Therefor, when I get my house in order, I am going to upgrade the engine, trans, and rear axle.
I am going to keep it close to original but you are going to know when you open the hood it is not original by all the chrome and some upgrades.
I plan on being buried in mine or donating it to a museum as the crazy guy's car who built the FGF web site.
Bjorn and Geoff make good points. The biggest question is; "Is the car rare enough to warrant restoring to original?". My car is one of only 1415 built, so I am restoring mine as close as possible. If it was a 350 car I'd have no problem tricking it out in big way. My car was bastardized big time, seeing BBC, SBC, even a slant six Mopar engine! (What was that guy thinking!!) If the items to restore it back to original are easy enough to find, go that route. If they are hard to find, then build it the way YOU want it and %@^* what any one else thinks. Good luck!!
I've had my'68 since 1981 and while it is solid (brought it back from CA) its seen 160k of hard use. This is the year that I'm finally getting the body smoothed out and it will then get new paint. What's my point? I am going to make this car over as I want it - charcoal grey with a black rock top, aftermarket alloys and anything else I see fit. The heck with the 100 point crowd, this is MY car and I plan on being buried in it too!! (Not really, my boy will probably get it) But if you've got the bug - go for it! If you don't, then PLEASE don't part it - find someone who will rescue this piece of automotive history.
Is the frame in good shape to warrent putting all that time and money.That's great that you have alot of the nos parts already.Good luck 
