1968 Pontiac Firebird

1968 Pontiac Firebird 400 HO Hardtop Pontiac's legendary Ram Air engine lineage helped keep the brand on the front lines of the muscle car war, which increased in intensity every year after Pontiac triggered the conflict with the 1964 LeMans GTO. The first Ram Air package was offered in 1968 and was essentially the same as the previous year's 400 H.O. engine. Thx Hemmings.com For consignment, a 1968 Pontiac Firebird 400 HO hardtop showing 101,507 miles, but the true miles are unknown. Per our consignor, this is one of 684 1968 Firebirds with both the H.O. option and automatic transmission.                 Exterior A chrome nose caps a body dressed in Aegean Blue with field marks that distinguish this car from other F-bodies of the time including ornamental trim marks that sandwich the midline on the rear quarter while Pontiac's arrowhead marker light appears just above the chrome end of the wrap-around bumper. In front, the early Firebird insignia, a design of Native American motif adorns the fender and reappears on the gas cap on back in a body colored fascia that houses dual slit tail lights on each side. As part of the H.O. package, dual hood scoops are up front while 14-inch Pontiac Rally II wheels carry redline tires for a well coordinated, period look. Overall the paint, black vinyl top, and brightwork are in nice condition. But no car is perfect of course, and we note gap issues on the hood with a chip on the seam, bubbling along the roof trim, touched up chips, scuffs, a door ding, and cracking paint on the rear apron.  Interior Black molded plastic door panels are adorned with the Firebird motif and a simple pull bar and both are in very good condition. Vinyl bucket seats include textured inserts and present nicely along with the rear bench in same color and material. The sport steering wheel fronts the simple dash, home to two main gauges while decorative burlwood backs the center stack where we find the vent levers over the factory AM/FM radio and stand alone clock. That burlwood covers the center console where a T-shifter is housed in an indicator panel that would not change much for many years, familiar to F-body owners. Black loop carpet is on the floor, the headliner is high and tight, and the trunk is barren and clean, covered with a plaid mat and housing a covered spare.     Drivetrain The engine bay is show ready and clean, home to the numbers matching 400ci H.O. V8 rated at 335 horsepower and fueled by a 4-barrel carburetor.  It is backed by a correct TH350 3-speed automatic transmission that routes power to the 10 bolt rear axle with 2.56 gears and Positraction.   Undercarriage Super clean underneath with a single drop of red fluid interrupting an otherwise dry underside. Dual exhaust utilized Pypes muffler after meeting at an X-junction, then terminating out of sight behind the rear fenders. Disc brakes are up front and drums in back and suspension consists of coil springs in front and leaf springs in back.  Drive-Ability This clean and well sorted Firebird roars to life and propels us onto the test loop, providing plenty of power underfoot, straight tracking, and very good handling. It does everything well and we have no complaints as all functions on board operate as they should, and we return to the mall to perch this bird under the lights. 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. We see fewer classic Firebirds than Camaros, and nice ones are almost assured to find a loving, new home. It would not surprise us if the car is not with us for very long and we're okay with that! The PHC documents that accompany the car shows the HO option and that makes this one a standout along with its show ready condition.  223378U151186 2-Pontiac 23-Firebird 37-2 Door Hardtop Sport Coupe 8-1968 U-Lordstown, OH Assy Plant