Vehicle Description
West Coast Classics are proud to present an absolutely exceptional
and beautifully striking example of this very rare and all American
classic muscle car - an original 1968 Pontiac Firebird Coupe with a
Big Block 428/375HP 'YH' code 4 BBL V8 engine and which was born as
a factory BB 400 V8, as per its PHS docs, and which was reportedly
one of George Hurst's originally formulated amp; 'Myrtl Motors'
creations, with a date correct 1968 'YH' code 428/375HP V8 engine
correctly matched to a Turbo Hydra-Matic 400 automatic transmission
with a shift kit amp; Hurst dual gate shifter, very rare Hurst
wheels and dual exhausts and with both added and original rare
factory options which both included or now include;308 Rear
AxleAlpine Sound SystemCenter Console with Bucket seats,Rally Gauge
Cluster amp; Clock,Power Steering,Power 4 Way Disc Brakes,Power
Antenna,Power Windows,Deluxe Interior with woodgrain console,Front
amp; Rear Adjustable Shocks,Head Restraints,Rally II Wheels,Soft
Ray Glass,Air Conditioning.The 428 cid V8 was available on full
size Pontiac cars and the Grand Prix between 1967 amp; 1969. A 4.12
in bore and a 4.00 in stroke resulted in the 428 cid. These big
motors got the four bolt main blocks along with the cast
crankshafts, rods and pistons. All were equipped with a 4 barrel
carburetor and a dual exhaust system. 1967 engines were available
in 360 or 376 HP output and in 1968 in either 375HP or 390HP. As
excerpted from Popular Hot Rod from 9/68 a very few 428 Firebirds
were only available as dealer installed options in two places. One
in the Midwest Royal Pontiac (home of the Bobcat Kit), and the
other on the East coast Myrtl Motors.Reportedly Myrtl built 428
Firebirds and GTOs, they sold Tiger supertune kits, traction kits,
suspension goodies and anything else in the way of speed equipment
to make Pontiacs haul tail. Myrtl Motors allowed anyone to walk in
off the street and buy a custom 428 Firebird. Tailored to your own
specs, adding headers, a Tiger kit, suspension stuff, or even a
full blueprinted engine and suspension in other words, an all-out
race car. Making the car very enjoyable to drive was a list of
standard factory options that perfectly complemented the 428 big
ones under the hood. Things like power steering, power disc brakes,
heavy-duty suspension package, 3.90 rear axel ratio with
Safe-T-Track limited slip differential, and swing-shifted Turbo
Hydra-Matic transmission all made life behind the wheel quite
bearable.The suspension, especially, and the automatic transmission
made themselves felt all through the test. The suspension consisted
of higher rate front coil and multi-leaf rear springs, thicker
anti-sway bar up front, and big shocks all around. It kept the Bird
on course at all times and provided a very firm, controlled ride.
Another thing one would'nt be without on a car like this is the
front disc/rear drum braking system. The Firebird was Pontiac's
slightly more upmarket version of the Chevrolet Camaro and the
models were given a restyling in 1969 for their third season in the
marketplace. A new RPO (regular production option) was quietly
slipped into the lineup during midyear, the Trans Am, a new high
performance option roughly equivalent to the GTO in the LeMans
lineup. Power came from a 400 4 BBL V8 with 330HP and in the Ram
Air III with 335HP 430 lbs torque at 3400 rpm (634 cars, coupes
amp; convertibles) or Ram Air IV with 345HP 430 lbs torque at 3700
rpm (55 cars, all coupes) versions. Either way well over 350HP was
available in a car that weighed just over 3,000 pounds! That
provided for some literally amazing performance in a pony car and
these models were extremely limited in production and it is a known
fact that horsepower ratings were kept well understated in the late
sixties to help keep rising insurance rates low!This particular
example has been beautifully and professionally repainted in its
original 'Meridian Turquoise' factory color and sports an original
'White Vinyl Deluxe' interior and is a long time southern
California owned car with absolutely no signs of of any accidents
or rust and which has obviously always been been loved and well
maintained and kept! This car must be seen to be fully appreciated.
The date correct and recently rebuilt 'YH' code 428/375HP 4 Barrel
V8 engine is extremely strong and responsive and sounds absolutely
magnificent and throaty from its dual exhausts, the transmission
shifts smoothly through the gears and the engine temperature always
remains cool and the car has its original spare wheel and jack in
the trunk.This must be one of the finest examples anywhere of this
very collectible and rare and very desirable 1968 year of the
legendary big block 428 V8 Pontiac Firebird which has all the right
options, a wonderful amp; uniquely striking examples of all
American sixties muscle and a wonderful addition to any muscle car
enthusiasts collection!
