1968 Pontiac Firebird

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), 16,547 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