i was wondering if it was worth getting a project 1968 firebird conv all body work done for about 10k just need putting back to get together with matching number motor, with motor redone not a 400. i know these cars are getting hard to find but i do want another camaro do you guys think i should change up the front and rear to a camaro, or keep it a firebird if i buy it, also you guys think 20 years from now these cars will be worth more then today
thanks
louis

When you say "bodywork done" - do you mean with paint or without final paint :confused:
And - what is the quality of the work done?
Is it up to your (and others) standards as far as a nice restoration?

IF - it is completely done and just needs assembly (never really had this happen though ;) ) AND it includes all (or almost all) the parts to assemble then $10K isn't to bad ... not good ... just not to bad ...
IF - it still needs paint then it's way to high ...

You have to fiqure that you'll still be putting another @$5K or so into it - not counting any labor ...
Fiqure all the last of those little detail pieces/parts, tires/suspension/alignment/brake work and some tune-up/engine parts/fluids at the very minimum will need freshened or replaced to get it together and be a nice 'driver' ...

For a vehicle that sells in the $20K range when done that doesn't leave much room for you :noway:
If it's just a toy to play with for a while, then go for it.
If you're thinking 'flip-4-$$$$' - I'd pass ...
Maybe you can display some interest, state 'its' a lot of money right now' and see if he's really serious in getting rid of it or not ... if serious, he will say 'make me an offer if you think the price is high' ;)
Every $K you reduce the price means you have more room to work with when turning it over :thumbsup:
If he's a good friend and you don't want to chance upsetting him - pass on it and refer others to him ... usually best in the long run :thumbsup:

yeah its ready for paint but need to be put together like the front fenders cause the sub frame was cleaned out for paint, but yeah im not planning on finishing it up till the next 5 years but what if i can get it for 7k has the top but not the fabric interior is there seats but no carpet, again im not tryna flip it for money but i really want a convertible and thinking when i get started on working on the car im going to drop an ls1, i plan on having this no op for a couple of year till i finish college
do you think i can find a convertible for 10k or less within the next 5 years? that doesnt need much work

also i dont have money like that i dont want to spend 7k-10k if it wont be worth nothing later

the whole body work is done

i have a feeling he might sell it to me for like 7k to 7500

Can you do the paint and interior/covertible top work ???
If you can, then your investment will be in the $10K range to finish it - as I envision it is sitting right now.
If you need to have it painted, plan on another $3K
If you need the covertible top installed, another $1K (min.)
If you need interior finished, another $2~3K on top of that
See where I'm going with this ... ;)

If you want to buy it as a future project, then you'll be tieing up the $7K for it for a long time.
Will it increase in value - not sitting there as a project :noway:
Someone will be in the position of going through this exercize again ...

Right now projects are dropping in price daily - and I'm getting calls from guys I looked at them years ago and wouldn't buy to "make me an offer" :(
If it were me, and I was looking for a 'vert project for a future project, i would evaluate how much $$$ I would want to tie-up for a given period of time allong with how much it will cost to complete and go from there.
If it's just the thing you want - get the best price you can and don't look back :thumbsup:

What is the motor size? If you checked out the motor and confirmed its the original, not take his word, then yes its worth it becuase it is the original engine. Also, make sure the
undercarriage is solid since a vert. Firebirds have been low in value in the past, but they
are starting to come up now. 400s are the most demanded.

its a 350 also how do i see and determine if its matching number the motor is out the car just got rebuilt with a mild cam

its a 350 also how do i see and determine if its matching number the motor is out the car just got rebuilt with a mild cam

I would throw a post out there on one of the Pontiac sites - those guys would be best suited to tell you how to determine originality. Also, PHS (Pontiac Historical Service) can look up the VIN and tell you how the car was equipped originally, for a fee.

68 Firebirds, like the 68 Camaros, do not have any codes on the trim tag that indicate what engine, trans, etc came on the car. It will tell you trim options like paint color and interior, but not much else. The 67 Birds, like the 67 Camaros, gave much more info.

A friend of mine bought a 68 Firebird 'vert several years ago that was in similar condition, except his had already been painted, and had the doghouse hung on it. He paid around $12K for it. Supposedly, the engine (455) was fresh, the 4-speed had been rebuilt, all it needed was final assembly, blah blah blah...

By the time he got it on the road he had close to $20K wrapped up in it, if not more. Engine turned out to have a cracked block, tranny was a wreck, front suspension needed to be redone... you get the picture. To top it off, he found out after the sale that the VIN had been swapped for a VIN from a coupe, and the body trim tag was missing. If the guy is selling it as having a fresh engine, get it in writing and get receipts on the work that was done. Otherwise, consider it to be no better than an average junkyard engine thrown in there.

Buying someone else's project can be fun if you have the time, skills and motivation (plus $$$) to see it through. The cool part is that you get to do it your way - pick the color that you like, interior, even drivetrain. But you have to go into the deal with your eyes open.

here is a brief description of the bird/ad and a couple pics of it

This is an ultra nice 68 Firebird convertible with original numbers matching 350 V-8 (completely rebuilt, mild cam). Transmission is turbo 350. Power top and power window car, no A/C I bought it from a friend that purchased this unmolested car and was having it restored to be a show car. They decided to cancel building the car. Car has been on a rotisserie and underside has been zolotoned. Floors and trunk are original and did not need replacing, CA car. New quarter panels installed. Firewall completely detailed. Sub frame and suspension components powder coated black.

Car has all new sheet metal-doors, fenders, 400 hood, front bumper, etc. Body work is all done, just needs paint and assemble the car. All the hard work is done. I have all the cocktail shakers (hard to find). Many new parts.
I will have the engine/transmission installed but not hooked up and will install front sheetmetal for the buyer. I have clean title.


http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y130/flipsta510fazn/firebird/th_P1010616.jpg (http://s4.photobucket.com/albums/y130/flipsta510fazn/firebird/?action=view&current=P1010616.jpg)
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y130/flipsta510fazn/firebird/th_P1010615.jpg (http://s4.photobucket.com/albums/y130/flipsta510fazn/firebird/?action=view&current=P1010615.jpg)
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y130/flipsta510fazn/firebird/th_P1010614.jpg (http://s4.photobucket.com/albums/y130/flipsta510fazn/firebird/?action=view&current=P1010614.jpg)
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y130/flipsta510fazn/firebird/th_P1010612.jpg (http://s4.photobucket.com/albums/y130/flipsta510fazn/firebird/?action=view&current=P1010612.jpg)
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y130/flipsta510fazn/firebird/th_P1010611.jpg (http://s4.photobucket.com/albums/y130/flipsta510fazn/firebird/?action=view&current=P1010611.jpg)
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y130/flipsta510fazn/firebird/th_P1010609.jpg (http://s4.photobucket.com/albums/y130/flipsta510fazn/firebird/?action=view&current=P1010609.jpg)
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y130/flipsta510fazn/firebird/th_P1010608.jpg (http://s4.photobucket.com/albums/y130/flipsta510fazn/firebird/?action=view&current=P1010608.jpg)
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y130/flipsta510fazn/firebird/th_P1010606.jpg (http://s4.photobucket.com/albums/y130/flipsta510fazn/firebird/?action=view&current=P1010606.jpg)
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y130/flipsta510fazn/firebird/th_P1010604.jpg (http://s4.photobucket.com/albums/y130/flipsta510fazn/firebird/?action=view&current=P1010604.jpg)
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y130/flipsta510fazn/firebird/th_P1010619.jpg (http://s4.photobucket.com/albums/y130/flipsta510fazn/firebird/?action=view&current=P1010619.jpg)

its looking like someone is buying it before me im in the bay area car is down south cant make my way out there till sunday to even have a chance guess it wasnt ment to be
thanks guys for all the advice and support
louis

With birds, they have an engine code on pass. side front, next to water pump, that
will tell engine size; on right side of water pump under driver cyl. head will be car
vin number - if it matches then its original to car, if not, its another car's. There is
also a number above engine code called a engine number, which will help PMD
give you all the docs. you need for your car to prove its originality. Camaros never
had this, and Chevrolet missed the boat by not having done this with all their divisions.
If the work was done properly, 10k is a steal for that car, not even knowing
what the engine was. But its best not to buy until you seen car in person, or have your
own source check it out. If you cant do the work, then its best to save your money and
buy one done with work you cant do, than buy a project you will never finish and lose money
on.