1 Owner from New/400Ci V8/Meridian Turquoise Respray/Original Interior

1968 Pontiac Firebird Coupe

By 1953, the research team at Pontiac had produced the Firebird XP-21, later referred to as the Firebird I, which was essentially a jet airplane on wheels. It was the first gas turbine-powered car tested in the United States. The design is entirely impractical, with a bubble-topped canopy over a single-seat cockpit, a bullet-shaped fuselage made entirely of fiberglass, short wings, and a vertical tail fin. A small version adorns the top of the Harley Earl Trophy given each year to the winner of the Daytona 500

From these early winged designs and concepts to this consigned car, the 1968 version, Pontiac has a fan base that is not Mopar oriented, or in love with Mustangs or Camaros. They are true to their brand, and loyal to the Pontiac moniker and the Firebird. Some new parts and upgrades bring this car up to and past original standards, and we have a stunning example of the 68 Firebird. Also, it's a 1 owner car complete with all the paperwork.

Exterior
Painted to match the original color of Meridian Turquoise, and it is still looking just fab! No rust even close to this car, and all original bumpers (rear re-chromed). Upfront the Pontiac “beak” is taking shape in the center of the grille with its dual flanking headlights and larger central pointed vertical bumper structure. A dual scooped long “pony car” hood runs rearward to the front glass and sports a hood mounted tachometer which has been rewired to work with the now installed electronic ignition. A few drips on the clear coat, slight orange peel making appearances throughout, and a few chips from some errant stones, but the finish is overall very good. Badging is all correct and clean and one has to love the arrowhead marker lights trimmed with chrome bezels on the rear quarters. On the back dual horizontal slits for the taillights and a flat rear roll pan have a bumper between them that shines like a crazy diamond. Cragar wheels are now on and wrapped by like new black wall rubber.

Interior
All original and all looking just fine with Meridian Turquoise vinyl including some stitching and chrome trim rings along with the cranks and levers and a badge. Lower panels of the doors use carpet. The interior is all original, and uses more Meridian Turquoise that covers the front buckets, and rear bench. Nary a mark on these originals. Running through the center of the buckets is a burl appliqué covered center console which houses a glovebox and a Hurst shifter, to the driver's right on the floor. The dash is made up of panels with a long sloping angle of painted metal to match the exterior body metal, and a padded vinyl topper. Deep inset circular gauges are in front of the factory steering wheel along with some knobs and switches lined up vertically on either side. The center of the dash has more wood appliqué, and an AM/FM Radio along with temp and airflow controls. Turquoise carpet, fairly clean and showing some fading floods the floors, and above is a tight turquoise headliner.

Drivetrain
A lift of the hood and we see a beautifully restored engine block bathed in steel blue paint, and some attached chromed bolt ons. This is the numbers matching 400 V8 with stock #76 heads topped by chromed covers. A 4-barrel Edelbrock carburetor is on top, and a Muncie (P8C14) 4-speed manual transmission is perfectly mounted behind the mill. On the rear axle we note a 10 bolt Safe-T-Track rear axle.

Undercarriage
All undercarriage items such as gas tank, brakes, brake lines and master cylinder have been rebuilt and brought back to original colors and specs. Independent coil springs for the front suspension, and leaf springs for the rear are noted. Also, disc brakes for the front, and drum brakes for the back. A Turbo muffler system is on for the dual exhaust exit stage back! We do note the beginnings of invasive rust on the passenger's rear floor pan.

Drive-Ability
A quick starter and runs as good as it looks under the hood. Nice acceleration, rail like handling, and smooth braking, although I did notice due to the oversize tires, when pushing the accelerating the rear tires tended to rub, and when heavy braking or quick cornering the front tires did the same. All else was just peachy on the operational front.

A 1 owner car so you can get the full history on it. Owner took very good care throughout its lifetime, always garaged, and maintained, and with the respray and rebuild of numerous parts, it's a fine example of the 1968 Firebird 400.

VIN DECODE
223378U154220
2-Pontiac
23-Firebird
37-Sport Coupe
8-1968
U-Lordstown, OH Assy Plant
154220-Sequential Unit Number

TRIM TAG
04A-1st Week April Build
ST 68 22487-1968 Firebird Sport Coupe
BDY LOR36780-Lordstown Body #
TR 261-Meridian Turquoise Strato Bucket Seats
PNT KK-Meridian Turquoise