1968 400 4-Speed California Survivor
 

I'm getting my 68 Firebird ready for the Bloomington All Survivor show and thought that I'd post some pictures.

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Re: 1968 400 4-Speed California Survivor
 

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Re: 1968 400 4-Speed California Survivor
 

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Re: 1968 400 4-Speed California Survivor
 

47,000 Miles but the California sun ate it up! It runs like a top though and as they say at the All Survivor Show... Worn In but not Worn Out!

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Re: 1968 400 4-Speed California Survivor
 

That is a great looking car! Do you have engine pics? I have a similiar condition 1969 Trans Am I bought in January from the original owner.

Re: 1968 400 4-Speed California Survivor
 

Cool looking Poncho!Sure has all the right docs and nice patina.Good luck!More pics please. https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...iggthumpup.gif https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...mlins/cool.gif

Re: 1968 400 4-Speed California Survivor
 

Really https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...mlins/cool.gif car! Best of luck at the Survivor show. I am guessing the original owner moved from Ohio to California soon after purchasing the car?

Re: 1968 400 4-Speed California Survivor
 

https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...iggthumpup.gif

Thanks for posting up these pics.

Re: 1968 400 4-Speed California Survivor
 

More pictures of my little "California Sun-Dried Raison". FYI, I don't believe the owner moved from Ohio. I believe the car was shipped from the ZOhio dealership to Servais Motors in Alhambra as evidenced by the Protecto-plate. Ed

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Re: 1968 400 4-Speed California Survivor
 

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Re: 1968 400 4-Speed California Survivor
 

Cool ride https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...mlins/cool.gif! Like the color and especially the patina!! https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...iggthumpup.gif

Good luck at the survivor show. https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...lins/beers.gif

Re: 1968 400 4-Speed California Survivor
 

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The spot of bare sheet-metal on the roof is exactly where you would rest your right hand while opening the door with your left hand. I believe the oils from the owners skin enhanced the sun-bleaching process. Ed https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...ns/burnout.gif

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Re: 1968 400 4-Speed California Survivor
 

Engine Compartment

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Re: 1968 400 4-Speed California Survivor
 

At some point someone painted the engine black but it's the all original drivetrain.

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Re: 1968 400 4-Speed California Survivor
 

Cowl Tag

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Re: 1968 400 4-Speed California Survivor
 

Trunk and Spare

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Re: 1968 400 4-Speed California Survivor
 

Excellent survivor! The early Firebirds seem to be forgotten at times within the collector car world, but the Firebird 400's were on par with the best out there. The 1967-1969 Firebird 400's used the exact same GTO engine(s) from these years, but the Firebirds were a couple hundred pounds lighter. Fast cars indeed...

Just an observation, the centercaps should have the black centers, not the red ones. The red centercaps began to be used mid-year 1970. The original owner probably lost the original centercaps at some point. Not too hard to change though, and in fact I would find a set of used black center centercaps so the patina matches the rest of the car.

Very cool! https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...lins/beers.gif

Re: 1968 400 4-Speed California Survivor
 

Mike:

There are a number of things that I have been looking to get for the Firebird. I have just kind of left it in "as-found" condition so far. Glad you like it. Not many people are into these old birds. Ed https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...lins/dunno.gif

Re: 1968 400 4-Speed California Survivor
 

Whttps://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...emlins/eek.gifW...Lhttps://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...lins/drool.gifVE this one Ed!!!
Although both are great, I'd prefer looking at details of original survivor cars like this over paint dab restos anyday!.

https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...lins/beers.gif
~ Pete

Re: 1968 400 4-Speed California Survivor
 

Ed, it's great as it is! It was just the red centercaps were the first thing that popped out. Because the red centercaps weren't used until 1970, they just stand out when you see them on a 1st Gen Bird. Other than that, I wouldn't touch a thing. I love the old Tiger Paw in the trunk.

These cars are going up in value now. A 69 Firebird 400 hardtop, just a base 400/auto, just went through Mecum at $24K and didn't meet reserve. Rust on the engine, a taillight was out, Camaro tailpipes poking out the rear, missing all sorts of things on the engine, and it had that famous "400-4V" air cleaner decal, which just screams "I never saw an old Pontiac before, but I sort of remember these decals." https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...mlins/grin.gif

Re: 1968 400 4-Speed California Survivor
 

Mike and Pete:

The car does have some really neat original touches. If you notice the black plates match the title (I didn't just buy them on ebay and stick them on). The wood shift knob is still on the Firebird as ordered. I took the original belts and hoses off of the car and it runs and drives really great! Everybody always asks me, "What are you going to do with it... restore it?" I just laugh and tell them, "it's perfect the way it is." Ed https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...lins/laugh.gif

Re: 1968 400 4-Speed California Survivor
 

[ QUOTE ]
Whttps://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...emlins/eek.gifW...Lhttps://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...lins/drool.gifVE this one Ed!!!
Although both are great, I'd prefer looking at details of original survivor cars like this over paint dab restos anyday!.

https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...lins/beers.gif
~ Pete

[/ QUOTE ]

me too!

Re: 1968 400 4-Speed California Survivor
 

awesome firebird!!!
a fellow here in columbus has a 47k mile 71 w-30 survivor,comeplete with usual rust in the fenders.
he took it to some corvette dealer to get "appraised".they offerred him 50k on the spot.
they scared him so bad it's now sitting in a fireproof warehouse.
he won't even let anybody take pictures of it.

Re: 1968 400 4-Speed California Survivor
 

What color is that Olds?

Re: 1968 400 4-Speed California Survivor
 

Andy:

A friend of mine just sent a 34,000 mile GTO Convertible over to my place. Original top, interior, paint, sheetmetal, engine compartment and hoses. It's just an unbelievable car. Every time that I think there aren't anymore, one comes knocking at my door.

Sneak some pics of the Olds when you get a chance, Ed