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1968 PONTIAC FIREBIRD, Eye-exploding Blazer Blue Pearl Bird!
Shift Bespoke Automotive is proud to represent This two time magazine article 1968 Pontiac Firebird 400 in Blazer Blue Pearl over Black interior! This Bird is an unbelievable build and ride with a combination of torque, horsepower, brakes, tires, and suspension modifications.! For your convenience we took over a 100 photos, these photo are taken in natural sunlight. We dont have a mock studio or photoshop/edit any of our photos. Please feel free to contact us with any QUESTIONS, BUY NOW OFFERS, SCHEDULE TEST DRIVES OR INSPECTIONS. 949-891-Cars (2277)
THE BODY AND TRIM
The Eye-exploding Blazer Blue Pearl looks incredible and is smooth and sleek! All the chrome and trim are flawless. The paint looks amazing, escpecially considering it was painted over a decade ago. The wheels and tires are perfect! The undercarriage looks as good as the body. It’s never been driven in rain and has not served as a daily driver. This bird has been driven occasionally on weekends, cruises and car shows
In 2001-2002 Best of Show Auto Restoration Greencastle Pa. finished bodywork and primed and painted it. One-off fiberglass pieces replace the hood and decklid. Both are prototypes from a company that used a steel units as templates but then decided not to go into production. When all was said and done three coats of base, two coats of pearl and multiple coats of clear comprise the 3-stage Ditzler Acrylic enamel pearl. The final touches were a rear spoiler from a Camaro of the same vintage, a set of rechromed bumpers and restored trim.
THE INTERIOR
The interior shows and look excellent as you can see in the photos. All gauges and switches, knobs work as they should.
2001-2002 Best of Show Auto Restoration performed the interior rejuvenation. With a new dash pad, dash panel and the retention of the as-delivered door panels, headliner and rug, a mostly stock Deluxe interior look was preserved. Grafton, however, did upgrade to an aftermarket steering wheel, a set of gauges and a set of Second -Gen. seats for more comfort and support.
THE ENGINE/SUSPENSION
The 400 currently has a Edelbrock Aluminum heads, manifold and 700 dual pumper. Available is the original set of Ram Air II heads if terms are agreeable (porting by Jim Butler stainless steel valves Jim Butler stainless steel 2.11/1.77 valves)
The factory-installed 400 block was punched .030-over and stuffed with TRW forged pistons with Speed-Pro rings, and a stock reconditioned crank and rods were employed. The reciprocating assembly was balanced for smooth operation and long life. A Comp Cams roller stick is the brain of the operation with 244* duration at .050 and .366-inch lobe lift. When combined with the 1.65:1 ratio roller rockers, the total lift number is .604 intake/exhaust. Lobe separation is 110* and the cam was installed straight up.
Spark is provided by a Mallory Comp 9000 ignition system with Hi-Fire IV box.
On the exhaust stroke, spent fumes are ushered from the chambers via ceramic-coated Hooker Super Comp headers with 36-inch long primaries, 2-inch primary diameter and 3.5-inch diameter collectors. A complete 3-inch exhaust system with Flowmaster mufflers tune the tones. The whole system was powdercoated by Phil's Auto Performance in Quincy, Pa., the same company that handled the engine machine work.
Retaining the stock M-20 Muncie was deemed a smart move and the aluminum-cased trans is connected to the high-winding 400 via a billet flywheel and Centerforce Dual Friction clutch wrapped with a scattershield. The twist is transferred through the driveshaft to a 12-bolt rear fitted with 3.42 gears, which replaces the factory Pontiac 10-bolt. Then it's up to the tires to hook it up and the brakes to slow it down.
The F-body was fitted with Aerospace Components' disc brakes at the four corners, consisting of 12-inch rotors and 4-piston calipers. The brake pads are from Carbon Metallic and promise shorter stopping distances and better fade resistance.
The Bird feels great on the road in any braking situation
Now that you see how well this Firebird is equipped to go and stop, you may be asking, "How does it handle?" Quick steering Pitman arm from Rick's First Generation Camaros [Athens, Ga.], lock to lock is an incredible two turns. the Pontiac has litlle to no body roll and understeer is slight, even with the 58/42 percent weight distribution.
This handling superiority is thanks to a bunch of well-chosen components that work. 17x8 Fikse wheels wrapped in 225-45ZR17 Yokohama tires up front and 17x9 Fikses sporting 285-40ZR17 Yokos out back.
Proper spring rates are a must to provide a balance between all out stick and roadability. Balance was provided by removing the factory coil springs and mounting a HAL coil-over system that includes the shocks and coil springs rated at 450 lb. in a single unit up front. In the rear, a set of Landrum mono-leaf springs rated at 175 lbs. was installed. A 1-inch Herb Adams VSE front stabilizer bar with spherical ends was bolted in to reduce body roll and Competition Engineering Slide-A-Link traction bars were mounted in the rear to help put the power to the pavement. The Slide-A-Link system allows the bars to be lengthened or shortened. HAL shocks are found in the rear as well and all are 12-way adjustable. Polyurethane bushings replace rubber at all attachment points.
THE DRIVING EXPERIENCE
Get in and turn the key- she fires right up! The 400 pulls strong all the way to 6500 rpm. The exhaust has a sound that reeks with attitude. The Bird drives straight and tight. This musclecar has total performance, acceleration, deceleration, and handling!
We offer airport pick-up (SNA) if you're flying in to pick-up this beautiful vehicle or can help facilitate shipping directly to your front door.
Auto Appraisal Network appraised this vehicle at $71,000
Original Billing History
Documented Numbers matching first gen Firebird 400
3 time show winner
2 time magazine Cover Honors
Fram off Restorations
Paint & Body by Best of Show Restorations.
3 coats of base coat, two coats of clear, multiple coats of clear
3 stage Ditzler acrylic enamel pearl
One off fiberglass hood & deck lid
Original Interior
original 1968 Ram Air II heads available if terms are agreeable. porting by Jim Butler stainless steel valves.
New Edelbrock Aluminum heads, maniforl, 700 dual pumper
Original Block, .30 over
TRW forged pistons
Speed Pro rings
Original engine work by Phils Performance (Pa)
Comp Cans roller stick w/244 dgr duration at .50 over and .366 in lobe
Lift. Rockers 1.65:1 ratio Total lift 0604 intake/exhaust
Drive shaft straightened and balanced
Mallory Comp 900, replaced with MSD pro distributor and coil
Original M20 Muncie 4 speed
Hayes steel flywheel and new clutch
12 bolt rear end 3.42 gears
Aerospace Components disc brakes, 12" rotors and 4 piston calipers
Carbon Metallic brake pads
Hal coil over front suspension
Hal custome rear suspension
Landrum mono leaf springs
1" Herb Adams VSE front stabilizer bar
Competition Engineering side-a-link traction bars in rear
17x8 Fiske wheels 225/45/17 Yokohama tires
17x9 Fiske wheels 285/40/17 Yokohama tires
Power steering
Polished Pulley system
Vintage AC
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