Vehicle Description
1968 Pontiac Firebird Hardtop
A powerful rival for Ford Mustang, the Pontiac Firebird saw
daylight in 1967 when the US company rolled out both the 2 door
coupe and the 2door convertible. Even if it was based on the same
platform as the Chevrolet Camaro, the Firebird had numerous
different parts, starting with the design and ending with the
engines. If the most significant appearance change is the body
integrated front bumpers, more differences could be found under the
hood as the first generation Firebird came with a choice of a few 6
cylinders and V8 options.
For consignment, a fully PHS documented and a build sheet equipped
1968 version, (from the second year), 14,460 non verifiable mile
Pontiac Firebird with the WK coded 350ci HO V8 under the hood. This
version has been lovingly cared for like a favorite toy, played
with then put carefully away for the next time. A multi-time show
winner at the Carlisle GM events, plus some local show wins make
this four wheel power disc brake equipped bird not only a cooker
but also a looker. Mystic Teal paint, and that iconic front Pontiac
"beak" with the wraparound bumper are just a few of the many
highlights that exist with this car.
Exterior
Dressed in carefully applied Mystic Teal, the coating is presenting
very nicely. The front "beaked" grille and bumper setup is just the
beginning of the sleek design. Dual dual headlights in horizontal
configuration and a lower front chin that houses the signal lights
and more openings to keep this beaked beast nice and cool. The long
pony car hood with twin ram air scoops and a hood mounted
tachometer runs back to the front glass with shiny trimming
surrounds. A center crease runs from the front stainless encircled
wheel well through the door to the rear of the car. A shiny rocker
covering is on and is very straight and no rust or errors above or
below this trimming. A favorite aspect of this design is actually
from the B pillar to the rear deck and tail lighting which has the
twin horizontal tail lights on either side, and a shiny bumper
below. That pillar is nice and wide and has a wonderful line
keeping the rear glass fairly small considering but giving the car
a sleeker look than the Camaro. Dual exhaust peeks out from under
the rear quarter panels behind the tires. Polished American Racing
Torque Thrust wheels in 17-inch form are wrapped in staggered low
profile tires. Noted for future things to come, small Native
American-style eagle emblems would eventually become screaming
chickens. The paint and metalwork are fantastic, and we could not
find any glaring exterior flaws.
Interior
Black vinyl covers the swooping door panels which along with the
headliner, carpeting, seat covers and foams, a package shelf dash
pad and deluxe steering wheel now all like new and in black vinyl.
Front seats which are low back bomber style buckets up front and
for the rear a bench, all sporting some stitched inserts and smooth
bolsters. Rising from the hump is the cue ball-like knob on the
Hurst shifter within reach of the driver's right arm. The inward
raked look covers the dash and here, a quadrant of aftermarket
gauges reside along with 3 toggles, all within a gray plastic
insert. Our consignor notes that the original radio and temperature
control slides are included with the purchase. In front of the
driver within that raked inward dash are deep set circular gauges
flanked by shiny knobs and pulls on either side. A rally styled
wood steering wheel is fronting this dash. As noted, the headliner
is black, nice and tight and black carpeting,very clean but
slightly faded, is on the floors, and the Firebird logo has pressed
into the black rubber floor mats. The interior is hovering around
showroom quality and certainly emulates the original as intended
from the factory.
Drivetrain
Under the hood within a finely restored engine bay sits the Mystic
Teal painted 350ci HO V8, which carries the WK stamping code, but
the stamping raises some concern. It has stock heads, casting
number 18 to be exact, with chromed valve coverings. Under the
chrome open air cleaner covering is a single 4-barrel carburetor,
and on back, is the correct Muncie M20 4-speed manual transmission.
Way in the back is a 10 bolt rear axle weighing in with a 3.36
ratio. This car uses 4-wheel power disc braking which are like new
condition.
Undercarriage
Newer suspension bushings and the addition of power steering are on
the car, backed by a pristine black stamped steel floor pan,
unibody, and rocker environment.Also, we note an independent coil
sprung front suspension working in conjunction with leaf springs in
the rear. Dual exhaust and a FlowMaster muffler system are there
for the exhale.
Drive-Ability
She fired right up, and off to the test track I went where it
performed wonderfully. Nice acceleration, bias free braking and
crisp manual shifting. The horn, hood tach, and wipers were not
working and we also noted the steering was a tad sloppy. There's
also a rubbing on the right front when turning sharply right.
Beyond that, all functional items worked as they should on this
teal flyer. While Classic Auto Mall represents that these functions
were working at the time of our test drive, we cannot guarantee
these functions will be working at the time of your purchase.
Here at Classic Auto Mall we have had very few of these examples,
and sad to say this writer feels these examples are the best of the
bunch when you compare them to the ubiquitous Mustang and Camaro,
(yawn?). This car has style, has sleek looks, and I'd be proud to
have it in my garage or leading a one car parade down Main Street.
Worth a close look.
223378U144937
2-Pontiac
23-Firebird
37-Hardtop Sport Coupe
8-1968
U-Lordstown, OH Assy Plant
144937-V8 Sequential Unit Number
TRIM TAG
02C-3rd Week February Build
ST 68 22637-1968 Firebird Hardtop Coupe, Custom Interior
BDY LOR16922-Lordstown Body #
TR 259-Black Custom Strato Buckets
PNT GG-April Gold
Classic Auto Mall is home to more than 1,000 classic and
collectible vehicles for sale via consignment in a climate
controlled 336,000-square foot showroom (that's more than 8
acres!). The largest single location consignment dealer of classic
and collectible vehicles in the country is located in Morgantown,
Pennsylvania, just 1-hour west of Philadelphia off Exit 298 of the
I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. For more information visit
www.classicautomall.com or call us at (888) 227-0914. Contact us
anytime for more information or to come see the vehicle in person.
There is no guarantee of mileage. A $299 Dealer Administrative fee
is not included in the advertised price.
With so many great cars, you know we have a lot to talk about, and
we do that each week on the Classic Auto Mall Podcast with host
Stewart Howden. Stewart discusses new inventory as well as trends
in consignments and car prices, while interviewing celebrities and
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