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View Full Version : Wanted a nice driver 68 or 69 Firebird 400


Chris396
05-17-2004, 03:44 AM
I am looking for a nice driver condition 1968 or 1969 Firebird 400. Must have deluxe interior, and a nice rust free body is important. Auto or stick is fine. I like high option with AC etc cars but will consider all. I would prefer a 68 over a 69. Oh, and no white carshttp://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/no.gif I do like white interior though http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggthumpup.gif

Chris396
06-18-2004, 11:06 PM
Still looking. I have about $13,000 to spend. Get to work you bums! http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/naughty.gif

JChlupsa
06-18-2004, 11:50 PM
Theres a 69 Bird on the Team Camaro for sale pages. Sorry I cant link it from work but as far as I know its still for sale. Unsure of conditon or price of car though.

Chris396
06-19-2004, 12:46 AM
I found the perfect 400 but it's a convertible and $10,000 over my price range. Anybody need a kidney?

LVCamaro
06-19-2004, 01:10 AM
http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/haha.gif http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/haha.gif http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/haha.gif Good one, Chris. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

JChlupsa
06-19-2004, 01:17 AM
not a 400 but still might be worth a look

http://forums.performanceyears.com/eve/ubb.x?a=tpc&s=7286011111&f=5166052911&m=880100916

Chris396
06-19-2004, 03:57 AM
I really want an original 400 car. I'm not really looking for another convertible but this one calls to me.

JoeG
06-19-2004, 04:22 AM
You think the seller will put you under or give you a local anesthetic------- http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

NCGuy68
06-19-2004, 04:54 AM
[ QUOTE ]
I really want an original 400 car.

[/ QUOTE ]

Yep...you, me and about five thousand other guys want one as well. Originals are far and few that have the factory drive-train. Unmolested originals fetch well over $13K. when they trade.

Good luck in your search and hope you find the right car http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Chris396
06-19-2004, 07:26 AM
I want a driver car not a spotless show car. Firebirds are still a lot cheaper than Camaros for some reason. I've seen a few for sale a few months ago before I had money that were in my range.

Belair62
06-19-2004, 07:59 AM
http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/haha.gif Don't need a kidney....got any ear drums laying around ?

Chris396
06-19-2004, 09:06 AM
I have two of them only slightly damaged by chambered exhaust and Led Zeppelin.

hvychev
06-19-2004, 09:29 AM
Ear Drum still screwed up from that 02 Dick Harrell car? http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Tim Greer
06-20-2004, 12:39 PM
Hi,

Here's a story and a possible car for you. There's someone in my town that has a '67 or '68 Firebird 400 that's a convertible. I don't know if it's original, but I am told it is and is mint condition (the guy bought it 20+ years ago as "an investment" and has apparently kept it in a barn (more like a garage than a barn) since).

I don't know the condition of it, but my brother used to live near it and said he walked up to it and it was straight, no rust, looked perfect inside and out. I also don't know if it's an auto or manual, or anything else.

It's yellow, which I don't like, but my brother asked the owner about 10 years ago (or about, maybe a little more) if they'd sell it. The guy shrugged and said "erh... I don't know, maybe $4K?" My brother didn't have the money and didn't tell me about it until much later.

The car is still there. I saw the tail end of it. It's down a very scary road in a sleazy part of town. You literally drive down a dirt road between old, run-down looking businesses, and there's fields of washers and old refrigerators rotting and rusting (ugly place).

In the back, there's two small dilapidated houses that look like the house Jason from Friday the 13th kept his mother's head in (with all the candles).. you know.

There's their garage/barn back there and it's their "shop" for their heating and air conditioning 'business' (read: these people look and act like paranoid, unbathed drug dealers--I really don't see anyone doing business with them).

Nonetheless, I was talking to a friend about it last year and he just had that look like "BS!" on his face (one of those "way back somewhere, there's a perfect Firebird convertible 400, and the guy only wanted four grand for it!" stories.

So, I got all into the idea and stopped by the bank, got $4K cash, stuffed it in an envelope and drove down there (they have big dogs too, I think Rottweilers (seriously)). So, I brave it out, walk up to knock on the door of the 'business' (read: barn door) and hoped I didn't get shot.

Well, no one answered. So I pick up my cell and call the number on the door. Some lady answers rudely and I explained I was in front of the 'business' and inquiring about "some old Pontiac convertible 'thing' my brother saw and asked about several years before".

She says "You mean the Firebird?". I said "Yes. I'm interested in buying it". I tried to get some information after she said she was the "answering service lady", but she knew way too much about the car and seemed to be upset I was asking about it.

My brother says he thinks she's married to the owner's son. The husband's father being the owner of the business (and the car--apparently some old man that's been in prison or something). They clearly didn't want to pass the message along--probably because they hope the old guy will die and they'll get it... or they can be the middle-man and make some cash off it.

She wouldn't give me the owner's name or number and I didn't want to "demand" she did (that would just make it worse). So, I had to leave my name and number. She said she'd give the message to the owner. I waited and never heard back.

After about a week, I came by again, no one answered, I called on the cell and "she" answered again (I cringed. Damn it!) So, I said "Oh, I called the other week about the car. I don't mean to seem pushy, I was just out of town and my answering machine wasn't plugged in (dang thing!), so I was just hoping I didn't miss the call".

She didn't really want to help at all. She just got an attitude. I asked if she knows how much he'd want. She says "How much do you think you'll pay?" I said that it depends, of course, I've not even seen the car. She says "Well, I don't know how much you think you're going to pay, but he's going to want 'a lot'".

I tried to find out what "A lot" meant ($8K? $15K, $30K, what!?). She said that she gave him the message, and that was pretty much it. I drove down the road a couple more times, but it's like a long dirt drive way to hell--but the road is worse and the dogs are meaner.

The last time I drove down the road, some psycho redneck about tore the baseball cap off his head toward the ground, like he was throwing it down for a fight. I figured that's probably not a positive sign and I would get nowhere. I backed out and drove off. I gave up.

I bought a '67 Camaro RS convertible a few months later (which I preferred anyway, so things worked out), but I still would have liked to found out how much they wanted. I was going to go to the city clerk and find the name and address of the business/property owner and send him a letter, but I figured if I went through that trouble, he'd think the car is worth a million dollars.

I know this is a long story, but there's not a lot of these around this area, and I can't believe someone that has something for "20+ years as an investment" wouldn't bother to return calls of someone that's obviously very interested. So, there's a chance, if you want to deal with these fools, that it could at least go to someone that's not an A**hole.

Just for kicks, give them a call and see. You never know. Maybe they'll sell it, or you can at least give them grief about how stupid they are and send them to CarsInBarns. :-) Their business information (from the phone book--if they are still in business (they have been for a long time)), is:

EM & Sons Heating & Air Conditioning
2130 Pray Rd, Redding, CA. 96001
Phone: 530-244-1736

If you bother (and I can guess you _really_ want to, now, after that story :-), then good luck. At least maybe you can find out what they want. If you do, let me know (I'm just curious, I don't want to bother anymore). It might be a good price--just don't pick up the car alone. :-)

NCGuy68
06-21-2004, 06:20 AM
Thats one hell of a tale! Beats any 'ole car in a tobacco barn' story I've ever heard. Sounds like something in W. Virgina rather then CA. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif

Tim Greer
06-22-2004, 11:29 AM
Well, this is weird! I went walking around the neighborhood with my wife yesterday and 1/2 way down the road in someone's side driveway, I see the front end of a yellow (looks like a '69) Firebird!

It had a cover on it (well, a tarp), didn't look like it was in mint condition, but didn't look in bad condition either. I couldn't tell from the angle of the car/lot w/ the cover, but it might have been a convertible!

I had to wonder if maybe the old man that owns it at that air conditioning shop had sold it, if that's the same one. Also, I wondered if maybe he lives down the same road as me and moved it there. I don't actually think it's the same car, though. I think his was definitely a 67 or 68. This one had to have been a 69. Of course, it probably has a different engine, too. That would be something if it was another 400 convertible in this same, small town!

On the same day, my wife just got home earlier and called me on the cell and told me to hurry and get in the car. She says she saw a cool Camaro parked down the road. Nice one too! SS/RS (68).

Today, we got some new lounge chairs for the pool and they wouldn't fit in the car, so we came home to get the truck, but I had stuff in it. Oops... I guess we better take the '67 Camaro convertible (and what nice weather for it too!). One the way home we passed someone else in this neighborhood driving a (really nice) '67 Firebird. I didn't get to see if it was anything very special, but what a cool day!

For the record, my wife and I must know where every first generation Camaro and Firebird are in this area (seriously), so it's always nice to see more. Surprisingly, there's actually a lot in this area, considered the number of people/size of the town.

If I ever win the lotto, I know exactly where each house is that I'll visit the next day to start making offers (and own all of them (that's my master plan)). Then the COPO's, Yenko's, Nickey's and Dana's will roll in from elsewhere. Bwahhahaaa! Anyway, I'll see if I can find anything out about that Firebird I saw and let you know if it's a 400!

Chris396
06-22-2004, 12:16 PM
I'll try to give a call Friday.

SuperNovaSS
06-23-2004, 12:01 AM
I have a 68 400 4 speed coupe for sale. Its a solid driver with a straight body. The prior owner painted the car purple with rainbow flakes and also painted the original deluxe seats purple, so it will need paint and interior. It has many options including hood tach and fold down. I;m waiting on the PHS docs before doing the car, but it could be bought before I start on it. I've been using it as my driver and its solid. Let me know if you are interested. Here is a pic.

SuperNovaSS
06-23-2004, 12:09 AM
Ooops, Here's the pic.

SuperNovaSS
06-23-2004, 12:12 AM
As you can see the bumper and grills are not correct. I have the receipt that shows the bumper and grills being replaced by the body shop in the early 90s. Here's another pic. I pulled what was left on the broadcast sheet from under the seat and it shows a hood tach. The PHS report should be interesting.

SuperNovaSS
06-25-2004, 08:33 AM
I guess the bumper and grill were right afterall, although replaced. I got the PHS report today. It was a 350 HO car with hood tach, fold down, disc brakes, rally II wheels, PS, Rear ant, Deluxe int, remote mirror, posi, 4 speed, console, etc, etc. Still a cool car but not the 400 you were looking for.


Jason

Chris396
06-26-2004, 02:57 AM
Yeah not a 400, but still a cool car. I'm still working on a Cuda I know about too. Too bad old Mercury police cars aren't worth anything. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

Tim Greer
06-29-2004, 12:00 AM
Did you ever call about that? Just curious. If not, I might call later this week just for the heck of it and see what I can find out. At least this time I'd not be upset if they shrug me off or do like they did last time.

I snapped a picture of the front of the '69 I walked by the other day. If you're still looking, I can maybe go ask them if it's a 400 and find out the overall condition and if they are selling it.

Chris396
06-29-2004, 01:01 PM
I wasn't home Friday. I'll call this Friday. Working nights sucks. I can't get anything done during the week until Friday.

Tim Greer
06-30-2004, 01:30 AM
Oh, I hear that. The company I contract for just changed my shift to start 4 hours later, so I feel your pain (though I'm only going to be on now from noon to 8 PM, but it still affects my day--and my wife's mood because she wants to spend time with me after she gets off work). Anyway, good luck with that.

Chris396
06-30-2004, 12:22 PM
The company I work for makes air conditioner valves. This is our busy time of year. I'm working 11 hours a day. I am on vacation next week though. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/beers.gif

Tim Greer
07-01-2004, 05:47 AM
Air conditioner valves, eh? Can you get me a deal? :-) I work from home, my office is up stairs. As heat rises, so does the stress of my job--especially with computer systems pushing out hot air on top of that.

Not that I don't have air conditioning (also have a pool, but), the Summer's here get about 114 to 119 for two+ weeks out of the year, so even running an air conditioner all day isn't too much of a help.

So, working nights here is worse, since the heat has built up as much as it can by 6 or 7 PM. I do have network cables going down stairs and a laptop if it gets too bad, but I really need a break. I don't even know why I'm rambling. :-)

Chris396
07-01-2004, 12:26 PM
My company is so cheap that we don't even have air conditioning at work. Our CNC machines break down in the heat and humidity and have tags on them that say, "Run in climate controlled environment only". Lol the cruel irony. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif

Belair62
07-01-2004, 04:54 PM
[ QUOTE ]
I don't even know why I'm rambling. :-)

[/ QUOTE ]
Souns like the onset of heat stroke....get to a cooling center in your area....quick !

Chris396
07-03-2004, 01:14 AM
They are supposed to call me back. We'll see.

jfkheat
07-04-2004, 07:08 AM
There are 2 Firebirds listed in the local IWANNA in Greenville SC. Both are 350 cars but may be worth a call. Below are the adds exactly as printed. The HP in the first is missprinted
James

1) 1968 Pontiac Firebird 350 V8, 50HP Engine, 4 speed. Disc brakes. Clean. $4500 Or Trade 864-981-6599

2) 1969 Pontiac Firebird Convertible. Motor needs work. Bright red with black top. 350 AT, PS, disc brakes. $6500 or best offer. 864-940-2410

427TJ
07-05-2004, 09:33 PM
Here's one possibility.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=2483602620&catego ry=39405

Chris396
07-05-2004, 10:45 PM
That is a cool car. Great color and options but the bodywork would kill me financially. If only it hadn't been hit.

JChlupsa
10-30-2004, 04:58 AM
Chris did yo ever find a 400?? theres a 68 400 on Ebay right now

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=6420&item=24978064 85&rd=1

Chris396
10-30-2004, 06:51 AM
I have been working a lot of overtime for the past couple months, so I am trying to see how much cash I can save for this summer for a really nice car.

Tim Greer
11-01-2004, 03:54 AM
There was a local guy selling a '67 or '68 Firebird 400 Convertible, for $16 to $17K (I don't recall which). Original engine, 400 hood w/ scoops (not RAM Air, unfortunately. :-)

He ran the add for a couple of weeks and said it he didn't sell it within a week after, he would just wait. He said once it snows he can't easily get it out of his property. He's up in the hills about 40 minutes from me (I just drove up there today for another reason, and didn't call or take a look at it).

I asked and he said he'd take the cash for it if he still had it a few months, when I called. So, he should have it for sale this spring, I'd think, if it wasn't sold.

If you're still interested in it by then, let me know and I'll try and find his number of the old ad in the paper. Otherwise, I'll probably buy it myself once I get my '67 RS conv complete (which will be about then).

Chris396
11-06-2004, 10:02 PM
Thanks Tim I probably would be interested.