Well, I know the old rule that you shouldn't get the first year of a car because they haven't worked out all the quarks of the car, however is the 68 Firebird that different than the 67? I know that in the 68 the speedo goes to 160 instead of 120, the astro vent window is deleted, and the suspension was changed to help with wheel hop. Are there any other differences? I have talked to a few 67 Firebird owners who say they never had a wheel hop problem...so do these cars handle about the same? Also, just for grins, is it possible to buy a gauge face for a 67 Firebird that goes to 160 (just looks cooler you know)? Thanks!

David

David , if you have a 67 ,is it numbers match or...If it is I wouldnt just put a 'cooler' speedometer in...and if I remember right they look the same , thatr is blinkers are same location, idiot lights too, but Im` not sure if its same 'fit', size...? someone else may...

lots of body parts are different on the 67/68 cars ( even though the main shape is the same..), just look at fenders vs. turn signals, etc...inside for instance , console had ashtray in 67 ,not in 68 , the rear armrest ashtrays different size etc...( I just learned this...lol)


Bjorn 69 vert.

Personally, I think my '67 is very cool.

1) It's the 1st; the original. Now that 'Birds are out of production, that means even more
2) It has vent windows - cool retro look.
3) It has mono springs and traction bars - totally unique.
4) No side markers = clean fenders and quarters
5) Unique interior features: Console itself, auto shifter handle, ash trays (3), rear console light.


I enjoy being different. I even thought about putting Rally I wheels on it as '67 was the only year they were an option. But I was made a really good offer on a set of Rally II's.

P.S. You can easily swap in a '68 instrument cluster into a '67 if you want the 160 mph speedo. My car will have the matching steel blue face '68 instruments, console clock and hood tach when I'm done.

Hey guys...thanks for the input. How about handling and wheel hop? Is it true that the 67 have problems with this? How hard is it to convert a 67 manual steering firebird to a power set up?

Hey Bjorn...what part of Houston are you in? I grew up on the NW side near 1960! I live in Austin now. If I end up getting this car I may have quite a few questions for you if you don't mind...perhaps even in person as I am very new at this.

i changed to power steering on my 68. i think the steering is the same. to do the swap, i had to replace the rag joint, centerlink, pitman arm, box, and got new hoses, a pump, and fabricated a bracket for my six cyl. probably easier to find a bracket for an eight. some of these cars have the steering behind the wheels, and some in front. im told this is a 6cy/8cy difference-same on c@m@r0.
my 68 had traction bars when i bought it. they look oem (yellow)

Well, I have found a 67 Firebird 400 with a 4 speed...I really wanted a 68...but I think I could be very happy if I got this car. I would want to give it power steering though. Is it a day job? Whats the cost? Also...a main concern with me and the 67 is the monoleaf springs. I understand (from reading this website) that to install the multileaf you need to weld new perches for them. Is there another, easier solution. One thing I hate to see is a saggy rear end on a 67 Firebird...I like that aggressive stance.

DavidATV,
I have an orignal 67 400 4speed Convertible (all but the color) it has the mono spring and traction bars and I have no wheel hop. I have 265/50 15 TA'S on the rear and when I get on it I have only a chirp, then the weight transfers on the mono's and the only thing the 5.0's see is the bad bird I painted on the rear tail light panal and they can't see that for long. I had two 67 with this set up and a 68 without. The 68 with out the aftermarket traction bars hop like crazy even after adding traction bar I had trouble and was always waiting for the bars to get caught on a man hole hump our something. The 67 coupe had no problems if I had a 68 again I would be looking for a 67 rear and traction bars to put in it. The ride is great also. This rear set up is more like a race set up and it works. But this is my opinion and I know that others like the multi-leaf set up better. Hope this helps.

Cody

DavidA , I am in west Houston, Gessner/Memorial area, we have a group of 5 69`s in the area covering a few miles, plus one 68.
that area would cover Gessner to Harwin to Clay road, Mason rd. , Barker Cypress and up by the Horse track on beltway 8...And then You have a couple of guys up there in Austin...Tom D that comes here to Houston sometimes, and Frank Zeller......Where are you in Austin, I go up sometimes...give me your email or such , I can forward to Tom...
email me direct at bsefeldt@mhinc.com ,
I am leaving town tomorrow pm (thurs) back sat nite..
Bjorn 69 vert.
Bjorn

Bjorn...I e-mailed your personal e-mail.

67BadBird...Thanks for the information. The wheel hop issues is really my only concern with a 67 over a 68, the other issues are just cosmetic and aren't a big deal (vent window and 120 speedo). Which traction bars would you suggest getting? Also, I pretty new to classic cars. Besides rust, collision history, and options should I look out for? Thanks.

Hi David, if it's a 67 400 4 speed, it will have dual traction bars from the factory. (Pontiac used them, Chevy did not, and had lots of problems) So you would have no problem there. I've had 2 67's and a 68, and I like the 67's better I think?

I love the upper door panel being painted, vent windows go a LONG way in hot weather, the consoles are much more unique, usually the center dash is a 67 only if it's the wood grain... and the list goes on.

I'd jump on it! And Bjorn has a group of Bird guy's down near him in Houston, and there are quite a few all over TX. Hope you become another one soon!

Good luck, keep us posted on the new ride!

Brett - 67 Drop Top 455!

Hey 1stgenbirdman...Thanks for the input! I tell you what, I came across this car a few days ago and must have sent this guy 5 e-mails, but I have not heard back from him since his first reply. I hope no one snuck it out from under me! It looks like it is in good shape and its a numbers matching 400. Has what he says is a square inch of rust on rear quarter panel. I just got pre-approved for a loan, but have yet to finalize the paperwork, as I am afraid that once they see my tax returns they are going to not really give it to me (I recently opened two businesses that are less than 2 years old). Its been a super pain getting a car loan and really a pain not having a car now. it is getting pretty warm down here too haha. Anyways, are there any real big items I should seriously look at before buying this car? It is located far from me, but luckily in a city I have family in...so I could ahve someone check it out in person.

David

David , I must have missed your pewrsonal e-mail , was out of town ( among other things , visited Quenton...)and when I came back there was SOOO much spam , I may have deleted yours w them , since I did not recognize the sender ....please e-mail me again...because I cannot find it now..

Bjorn

David, the only reason I was hesitant at the price was, I don't want you to get into a bird, and have to put too much money into it, and get discouraged, by having to do so.

IF... it works out, there are lots of us here that will help you out along the way, and or have leads on parts etc... but either way, we'll find you the right car at thr right price!

Later - Brett - 67 Drop Top 455!

I have a 67 rag top that was originally a 326 car with manual steering. When I upgraded it to power steering the only thing I replced were the rag joint, the steering box and pump/brackets(naturally), and the pitman arm. Was a simple change that can easily be done in a day if you have everything. I did not need to change any other suspension parts.

As for the speedo I have a 68 in my 67. They are interchangable. So, if you are going to modify your 67 anyway it's not a big deal to swap your 120 speedo for a 160. What you might want to do is save all of your original parts just incase you ever want to put it back to it's original configuration.

I personally love the 67's for all of their differences especially the vent window. Although I did add corner lights from a 69, front and rear, to mine as a safety measure.

Thanks guys for all the help and info. I am going to try to talk this guy down some...if I am even able to buy the car as my businesses are not doing so hot right now. Whatever happens I am gonna get one of these 'Birds before the end of the year. I noticed that a lot of them go up for sale in the fall so owners don't have to pay for winter storage...so maybe I will have better luck then. However, if things go my way, I am looking for one darn near immediately. 67 or 68 coupe, black interior (can be ratty), straight body with little or no rust (paint doesnt matter) 400 (doesnt have to be numbers matching) with a 4 spd. Thanks yall.

David