Descrizione
Our car is the top Firebird, the High Output 400 version using the same engine as the infamous GTO…
I have the original 50 year old build sheet with all the original options listed. This is a matching numbers car. Yes, it still has the original motor that it left the factory with 50 years ago. The odometer says 55K and this could be original judging by the condition and how well the car drives.
According to the info I have from Pontiac Historic Services, there were only 684 Firebird 400 H. O. cars built with an auto box (and 1, 415 with the standard manual), so this is a rare car.
Restoration
The car was restored in the US by an F-body specialist (F-body is the first gen Camaro and Firebird). It is finished in its original colour of Cameo Ivory White with black, grain texture vinyl roof – at the time a must-have option for the style-conscious and drivers of good taste. The paint job is excellent, super smooth with no orange peel. The vinyl roof is also new. The interior is excellent – I would guess that the seats, carpets, headlining, door cards, etc. have all been replaced as they all appear a few years old rather than 50. There is some patina on the chrome of the switches, dials, handles, etc. All easily replaced cheaply if you prefer. Since acquiring the car I have done some fettling and improvements – I’ve had the brakes set up and balanced. There is a new master cylinder and power brakes servo. I’ve cleaned the engine bay and repainted the engine in Pontiac blue. I’ve machine polished the American Racing alloy wheels. The car is MOT exempt but I’ve taken it for a new MOT today (7th August) and it only failed on minor items – rear brake bulb out, one headlight aim too low, horn is quiet. So these will be fixed soon and the car will come with a new MOT.
According to the build sheet, the original interior was parchment but this has been changed to black vinyl seats which I think is a much better choice.
The only other non original item are the genuine American Racing 17″ alloy wheels. If you prefer, original Pontiac Rally wheels with redline tyres as the build sheet, they are readily available in the US.
It is a California car so has been in a nice hot, dry climate and was imported into the UK in 2014. It looks like it has never been out in the rain. There is zero rust on this car.
Documentation
I have a copy of the Certificate of Title from California
Import charges payment letter from HM Revenue & Customs 17/ 1/ 11
Import Vehicle Post Clearance Checks Satisfied letter from HM Customs 26/ 11/ 14
DVLA number plate authorisation document V948 11/ 12/ 14
MOT certificates from 2014
‘News From Pontiac’ Press Release dated Sept 13th 1967, a 4 page document giving details on the new 1968 model.
AMA Specification Sheet, a 15 page document giving thorough specifications of the car.
V5 document showing 2 keepers of the car since importing into the UK.
Pontiac Firebird Production Numbers sheet showing 107, 112 Firebirds were built in 1968, of which 90, 152 were hard tops. As stated above, our car is one of only 684 top spec, 400 H. O. cars with the auto gearbox option
Original Build Data Sheet (50 years old and partly illegible)
Build Data Sheets from Pontiac Historic Services showing the options the car had from the factory as some are not legible on the Original Build Sheet
Original Owners Manual 50 years old
Factory Options
400 cu. in. 4-Barrel Quadra Jet Premium Fuel V8 Engine
Fully synchronized heavy duty 3 speed – Upgraded from manual transmission to Hydra-Matic, a 3 speed box only available on the 400 as the others only had 2 speed
Radio, pushbutton with manual antenna. (Radio and aerial has been removed and replaced with dials for water temperatore, oil pressure and battery voltage)
Centre console
Dual exhausts
Power Steering
Power Brakes
Soft Ray Glass – all windows
Custom Air Conditioning
F70 x 14 Red – Wide Oval Tyres. (Wheels are now genuine American Racing polished 17″ 5 spoke alloys)
Specific exterior identification (H. O. stripes)
Special hood with dual simulated air intake scoops
Pontiac ‘Vee’ crest on front bumper centre peak
Bright centre grill bar
Chrome plated rocker arm covers, oil filler cap, and air cleaner
‘Power Flex’ high strength stainless steel fan with variable pitch blades
High performance starter motor
Heavy duty 61amp battery
Heavy duty radiator
Dual exhaust system
F70 x 14 wide oval redline tyres
Part ex considered
